Nothing has been inserted in this shaped, lighted, acrylic block. Everything has been painstakingly etched and painted from behind. Artist Gilles Peltier of Naples, Florida uses a precision drill to carve what you see in reverse, and then he carefully paints the cavities, using small brushes, syringes, and pipe cleaners - even his fingers. The process was discovered by accident when, working as a goldsmith, Mr. Peltier dropped his drill on a display. Sadly, he has had to curtail his activity to preserve his health.

Mr. Peltier has been featured on PBS and the Education Center at Roger Williams Park Zoo features his work. You can find more information about Gilles' creations here.