Paintings of the Upper Midwest Celebrating the Healing Beauty of Nature
These little butterflies are quite zippy and skittish. I see them fluttering low along the trail and moving restlessly from flower to flower. When I began monitoring, in Peoria, they were quite plentiful but up here they aren’t as numerous. It is interesting how digital photos can see right through layers of paint~this week’s image is a case in point and I have to say, a bit disappointing. I almost didn’t post it but then I didn’t want to lose my momentum of a a butterfly a week 🙂
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Lovely, just lovely!
Thank you so much!
Gorgeous, love the colors and composition. It is perfect!
Oh, you are so kind~thank you!
I visited your site and looked at some of the 6×6 butterfly paintings. When I clicked on them, I got a nice large view showing the details and the brush strokes of color. That is all very fascinating to see up close. They blend together so well to give the overall view. Would you ever consider doing a 3-4 minute video focused up close to show your technique?
I appreciate your thoughts, Jim. I often wonder whether the doing of what I do would be interesting at all. I’ll consider a video although I am terribly camera shy. Perhaps my son help me~I’ll ask him 🙂
Your hand and brush are the only things that need to show. I’m thinking close-up of your detail work.
Right, I see what you mean. Maybe I could have music playing or something in the background.
This is so pretty, Melissa! We have these around our place too. I’m glad you decided to post it.
Thank you~I’m so glad you like it. They are pretty butterflies, aren’t they?
Not sure what the issue is with the digital eye. I wonder if perhaps my eye is compensating. Regardless, I think your butterfly series has been marvelous. I’m awestruck at your talent.
Thank goodness for your good eye, then 🙂 And thank you for your generous comment, Gunta. You make me feel so good.
It is so cool, love the colors you’ve added there!
Thanks Alok! I’m so glad you like it 🙂
So after reading your exchange with Jim, I would guess you have no aspirations to be the next Bob Ross? 🙂 I do agree with him that a video of you working would be interesting and of value to folks who want a little more background on your paintings.
We have these in profusion locally. I’ve photographed a few but have not posted any. You’ve done a nice job capturing the experience of seeing them in the fields/meadows.
Hi Steve~thanks. I went for a sketchy look to suggest the fun moment of spotting a butterfly on a summer bloom.
You’re right, the spotlight has never called to me but I think I can face a short video of just my hand 🙂 I always enjoy it when you have a video embedded in your posts.
A lovely summer view!
Thank you Eliza! You’re right, this is like a little capsule of summer.
The colors continue. This time you’ve picked a butterfly that the folks in central and east Texas share. What kind of composite flower is that with the long yellow rays?
It was probably Rudbeckia hirta, Steve. Yes, I thought was time for some hot colors but next week will bring in some cooler temps.
Then along with the pearl crescent Rudbeckia hirta is another thing we share between Texas and Illinois. Two for the price of one.
I would have guessed Rudbeckia for the flower, but wouldn’t have had the slightest idea about the butterfly. I just read that we have seven crescent species here in Texas, including the pearl, but I don’t recall seeing anything like them.
I laughed at this, from a page provided by the Texas AgriLife Extension page: “Pest Status: Harmless.” Well, I should say so! Your butterfly’s clearly harmless, and beautiful, too. The next time I find a patch of Rudbeckia, I’ll have to take a closer look for butterflies. In your painting, they seem happy to be together.
They are happy together, you are right. Down in Peoria, where I started being a monitor, we had 3 species of crescents, and they are very difficult to tell apart on the wing. Up here we mostly have just the one. Sometimes it comes down to time of season, sometimes it comes down to specific habitat (which type of prairie are you standing on) sometimes it comes down to using a net so you can count spots! You’ll have to let me know if you start spotting them. I would be so tickled if you do! 🙂
lovely color and content,
especially like the butterfly resting on the flower.
thanks for following and opening the door to your beautiful site, Eddie
Thank you Eddie,
I’m delighted you like the butterfly on its flower. Your blog is inspiring~I am looking forward to reading it more.
Such a happy painting. I’ve enjoyed this butterfly series. Each year I have increased my wildflower garden size which is chemical free – I’ve been rewarded by an increase in pollinators – all except the bee numbers are still far lower than they should be. This fall I hope to be able to increase the meadows significantly. Doing my part one meadow at a time…
Good for you, Kim! I’m doing the same on my tiny tenth of an acre, dreaming of bigger things 🙂 Think of the difference it could make, backyards and fields stretching all the way across the country, if everyone would devote a corner or more to native plants.
I’m so glad you are enjoying my butterflies. This week I’m busy with a commission and doctor appointments for my ex, so I don’t know when the next butterfly will make an appearance.
Just love these little guys!
Me too! 🙂
This is a wonderful painiting, Melissa. The colours are so rich and vibrant.
That’s very kind, Pete. Thank you!