Waiting for my dog to finish her "business" I began collecting the last leaves of fall, now deteriorating into beautiful patterns of lacy veins in shades of brown and umber. They gave new meaning to the phrase "better with age" and I decided to work them into a painting. When I saw the photograph of the Cassius Blue Butterfly on the garden blog Hoe and Shovel, I knew I had found my painting.
This lovely butterfly is no bigger than a thumbnail. In certain lights the back wings cast a blue hue but up close they appear to be beautiful shades of sepia and cream. When he tucks his tiny head into his wings the two large spots on the back wing appear to be eyes, nature's way of scaring predators.
Rendered in graphite and acrylic the piece meaures 8" x 6" with a 3/4" depth, done on wooden board it needs no glass or frame to hang. I think I may write around the outside lip so that viewers know that Brown is Named Blue. A special piece full of detail for a nature lover.
I am forever indepted to those great photographers who give permission for me to paint from their own artistic efforts...brave and generous souls! Florida Gardeners would be remiss for not following the beauty and the instruction provided in Hoe and Shovel. Give a click and enjoy.
Exquisite delicate rendering for this and the grasshopper. I imagine it's a zen-like meditation to really delve into such small and intricate worlds.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and yes, for some reason I can get lost in those details!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous. You seem to have a real talent for collage or these multi-layered and dimensional pieces. Someone's going to snatch this right up!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
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