Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Transformation Found!

To any of you who have been following my blog, you know that I have spoken and posted photos of the Monarch butterfly bush on our road, often.  It never ceases to fascinate me and when the grandkids come, it is a must visit spot. However, as I have shared....over the past couple of years, I just couldn't find the cocoons.  I found the caterpillars and I saw the butterflies....but it was a mystery as to where the chrysalises were.  They certainly were no where that I could see and I searched high and low all over the bush.

So today I was talking to the gardener and sharing my dilemma and he smiled and said "come with me"....up the driveway we walked and under the porch edge we looked....about 50 feet away....and there they were!  Hanging like precious jewels!  Some opened and some awaiting the full transformation. That's a long long way for a caterpillar to travel, but I guess we all would do anything for the promise of transformation.



This well eaten bush is where it begins.  The butterfly drops the eggs, the eggs hatch and the tiny caterpillar eats the leaves and grows and grows.....and then drops from the bush down to the road and slowly, oh so slowly, inches up the driveway, through the plants, up the wall and attaches itself to the overhang of the porch. 

There the jewel hangs...while within...magic is happening.  From a grounded caterpillar to a the flitting, flying, soaring miracle of a butterfly.  Then the butterfly somehow knows to return to the bush and lay her eggs....and the cycle continues.  Wow!  The cycle of life...just down the road....on a little bush in paradise.



Sunday, March 10, 2013

I have two new online classes up and ready for signing up.  The first one is in creating a Faerie Throne.  They are so fun and easy to make.  As you can see by the photos, I just couldn't stop.  Only $20!  Find out more here: http://www.aforartistic.com/Faerie-Throne.html

If you haven't taken an online class before, this is a great one to begin with.  I love teaching online, and I myself take lots of classes this way.  It's so convenient and can work into my own timing and schedule.  And no travel costs!






The second class ( which actually comes up first, at the end of this month ) is on creating two different rabbits with the use of a gourd, apoxie sculpt, buttons and a touch of pussy willow.  For more information, click here: http://www.aforartistic.com/whimsical-wabbit.html


I'd love to see you in class.  If you do sign up, let me know that you heard about it on my blog.  I'd love to create with you!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Feathers make the bird....

We've been tearing out our kitchen and so no time in the studio....except today when I stole a few minutes and added some color and some feathers....In my mind, when I began, she was going to be all white....but my mind never rules.... :)


Friday, March 1, 2013

Costuming....feathers and netting...

Antique black netting with tiny iridescent sequins.....a subtle crackle glaze and touches of gold paint....

Magenta  feathers....hmmmm....what next for this little bird....

Just the beginning....my daughter and granddaughter arrive tomorrow so I won't get to work on it much......