Louisiana Butterflies: a work in progress

 Currently I am creating artwork for a show in August.  I am staying optimistic that all the paintings I plan to produce will come to fruition.....at least that is what I keep telling myself. 😁

Anyway, here is a peek at one grouping of paintings. I plan to paint and infuse with encaustic  9 different Louisiana butterflies and show them as a grouping, titled, "When I Was With You." Butterflies to me are simply magical. I love they way they gracefully dance through the air, and transform from a caterpillar to butterfly. What better way to sincerely paint a part of my life with someone. Also, I am enclosing the poem that goes with these paintings. (Again, I am not a poet, but these words had to be written down.)  

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, gouache on vellum

Pipevine Swallowtail , encaustic on wood panel

Red Admiral, gouache on vellum

Summer  Azure, gouache on vellum

Great Purple Hairstreak Butterfly, gouache on vellum 

"When I Was With You"

Surrounded by nature and the way you looked at me,

Made me believe,

That this relationship was meant to be.

Bright lights and passion flame,

Secrets came out,

No one is to blame.

A difficult conversation,

On an unplanned date,

I thought we were good, and sealed our fate.

My forgetfulness forced me to see you again,

Getting lost wasn't part of the plan.

You pulled me close and gave me a hug,

Oh god, could this be love?

Rough day in my other life and I needed your touch,

You gave me comfort,

Oh so much.

My animal instinct took control,

And desired you heart and soul.

You gave me all that I craved,

And I wanted more & more,

What can I say I am depraved.

Both of us are not in a good mental place,

I said something hateful,

To my own disgrace.

I could sense you were distancing yourself from me,

Well within your right,

Because of the words I said the other night.

I showed up unannounced on your doorstep like a stray,

I knew it was over,

But I begged to stay.

Thank you for your comfort and grace,

For a short while I found my place.

A place where my dark and light were safe,

At least that's how I felt in your embrace. 

Keep creating your legacy,

Christin

New Year, new painting ideas

 Today I finished an encaustic painting titled, "Navigating the Darkness". The painting will be on display during BREC's Swamp Spectacular Annual Art Event. I am looking forward to attending the artist's reception on the 16th.  (I even purchased a new dress for the event....purple velvet:) Check out the event: 

Encaustic painting, Navigating the Darkness:

Inspiration:

The swamp is where I go to release dark thoughts.  I push my bare hands deep into the wet muck.  Pulling away rotted leaves, digging deeper through the tangled roots, I bury those feelings that pull me under. In the swamp's water, I rinse the dark clumps from my still dirty hands, watching the breeze turn my hands from wet to merely damp. Sunlight sparkles on the water's surface and reflects on my face. It is in the darkness I learn to navigate so when the light reaches me, I have clarity.

Thoughts on this years upcoming paintings.  Spirit animals will continue to be featured in my paintings; however, my focus will be on a specific relationship I had, dare I say may have....or at least I want.  I went out with someone on a whim and dove in without thinking. Even though I should know better, I let my emotions control me. Now I am trying to get myself ready for the upcoming hard work that will go into these paintings; which will be on display in August.  NO pressure! LOL.  

Keep Creating Your Legacy,

Christin