Flight of the Cecropias
This past Autumn (2023) a sweet client sent me some silk moth cocoons in hopes of inspiring me to paint them once they had hatched.
I have been tending to them gently…trying to be a good moth mother; giving them their intermittent water spritzes and then tucking them back into their leaf home until they emerge in the Spring. I can feel the life in them when I hold them. A gentle hum of energy. Little dreams of flowers and moonlight and stars … codes of the cosmos falling into place.
Three of the moths I am raising are Cecropia moths. I know they will leave me if they successfully emerge, so I wanted to create a piece that would honor their magic and beauty. I set aside one half of the canvas to showcase the flight of their life adventure. I included three to represent each of my friends. I used a very large fern that I had collected from my garden and pressed in my studio. It made beautiful crisp marks in the ink and created a place from which the moths could emerge to embark on their journey … drifitng to the next garden, the next tree, the next life cycle.
Cecropia moths are linked to the moon, embodying feminine and yin energies, as well as intuitive revelations. They appear to guide you in uncovering your secret aspirations and embracing your authentic self. For those seeking a profound purpose in life, remember that the enlightenment you seek resides within you, not externally.
TITLE: “Flight of the Cecropias”
SIZE 24”x12”x2”
Medium: Mixed Media Painting
Substrate: wood
Ready to Hang - Wired
Side are painted white
This piece is not framed and does not require a frame.
Price includes shipping.
Limited Edition Prints Available
This past Autumn (2023) a sweet client sent me some silk moth cocoons in hopes of inspiring me to paint them once they had hatched.
I have been tending to them gently…trying to be a good moth mother; giving them their intermittent water spritzes and then tucking them back into their leaf home until they emerge in the Spring. I can feel the life in them when I hold them. A gentle hum of energy. Little dreams of flowers and moonlight and stars … codes of the cosmos falling into place.
Three of the moths I am raising are Cecropia moths. I know they will leave me if they successfully emerge, so I wanted to create a piece that would honor their magic and beauty. I set aside one half of the canvas to showcase the flight of their life adventure. I included three to represent each of my friends. I used a very large fern that I had collected from my garden and pressed in my studio. It made beautiful crisp marks in the ink and created a place from which the moths could emerge to embark on their journey … drifitng to the next garden, the next tree, the next life cycle.
Cecropia moths are linked to the moon, embodying feminine and yin energies, as well as intuitive revelations. They appear to guide you in uncovering your secret aspirations and embracing your authentic self. For those seeking a profound purpose in life, remember that the enlightenment you seek resides within you, not externally.
TITLE: “Flight of the Cecropias”
SIZE 24”x12”x2”
Medium: Mixed Media Painting
Substrate: wood
Ready to Hang - Wired
Side are painted white
This piece is not framed and does not require a frame.
Price includes shipping.
Limited Edition Prints Available
This past Autumn (2023) a sweet client sent me some silk moth cocoons in hopes of inspiring me to paint them once they had hatched.
I have been tending to them gently…trying to be a good moth mother; giving them their intermittent water spritzes and then tucking them back into their leaf home until they emerge in the Spring. I can feel the life in them when I hold them. A gentle hum of energy. Little dreams of flowers and moonlight and stars … codes of the cosmos falling into place.
Three of the moths I am raising are Cecropia moths. I know they will leave me if they successfully emerge, so I wanted to create a piece that would honor their magic and beauty. I set aside one half of the canvas to showcase the flight of their life adventure. I included three to represent each of my friends. I used a very large fern that I had collected from my garden and pressed in my studio. It made beautiful crisp marks in the ink and created a place from which the moths could emerge to embark on their journey … drifitng to the next garden, the next tree, the next life cycle.
Cecropia moths are linked to the moon, embodying feminine and yin energies, as well as intuitive revelations. They appear to guide you in uncovering your secret aspirations and embracing your authentic self. For those seeking a profound purpose in life, remember that the enlightenment you seek resides within you, not externally.
TITLE: “Flight of the Cecropias”
SIZE 24”x12”x2”
Medium: Mixed Media Painting
Substrate: wood
Ready to Hang - Wired
Side are painted white
This piece is not framed and does not require a frame.
Price includes shipping.
Limited Edition Prints Available
About the THETA COLLECTION
THETA is a brain wave state between sleeping and dreaming where there is still consciousness, yet a feeling of bliss as one starts to drift into dreams.
I am thrilled to unveil my latest collection of captivating mixed media paintings that will transport you to that place of dreamy bliss… into a world of ethereal beauty and imagination. Each piece in this collection is a mesmerizing combination of various mediums, including acrylics, watercolors, inks, oil pastels, and intricate textures obtained from the pressing and placing of natural materials. The results are a truly unique and dreamy visual experience.
All of these paintings flowed from feelings that arise when I spend time in nature. Each work carries it’s own little bit of magic and healing and my hope is that it will create a sense of calm, wonder and joy.
I kept the palette limited to earthy raw umber, and cool payne’s gray and then added splashes of indigo blues, lavender, greens, gold, and copper.
A Bit About the Process
There is a quiet & magical forest in Southern Ohio, and there is little cabin there where I like to stay often and it’s full of woodland creatures and magic! There is a little creek that runs alongside the cabin and that is where I collected the water that I used for these pieces. I returned to my studio with several jars full of it.
After sprinkling or brushing the canvas with creek water, I laid down leaves, flowers, twigs, and stones, or other woodland treasures. Following that, I sprinkle ink over this and allow these elements to dry in place. Once dry, the natural materials are removed, and the canvas is transformed into a tapestry of soulful nature shapes, each a unique reflection of nature’s inspiration.
From there, I let my imagination take hold and allow the shapes to inspire new scenes that evoke a sense of mystery, calm, and tranquility. Daisies appeared in much of the work - an expression of the innocence of nature. The result is a work of art that embodies the spirit of the woods and the meadows. A testament to the power of nature and the magic that weaves it all together.