Sunday, June 24, 2012

Butterfly Love!


I always love being surprised by Mother Nature when I leave the studio. Occasionally when I open the door I am met by a gorgeous sunset or a stormy sky or geese flying overhead. I must say there is something wonderful about spending a few hours absorbed in the process of painting my interpretation of nature and then opening the door only to find more inspiration. It feels like a gift. Well, today I must have done something right with my paintbrushes because when the session was over I was greeted by the likes of nature which I have never seen in these-here parts!!! Look at this glorious creature! Initially I thought there was a piece of dirty paper stuck in the (dirty) car door. I went to yank it out, but pulled my hand back fast when I realized it was alive!



I was shaking I was so excited! It was spectacular! The four circles/eyes were actually transparent in the middle and it's legs looked all hairy like a tarantula! I thought it was a butterfly, but a friend sent me the name of it, Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea Polyphemus) and a link. Either way, I love it!

4 comments:

Karen Martin Sampson said...

What a fortuitous event! Beautiful creature and nice photos of it...something to consider using in your work!

Nicki said...

Hi Karen,

It really felt like a gift! I have always been one to get totally excited about this kind of thing. I probably spent ten to fifteen minutes just enjoying it. Today at the studio I played with mixing gorgeous rusty oranges for the landscape I am working on.

Nice to hear from you- I hope you are well.

Nicki

Barbara Muir said...

Don't you love that feeling. You describe it well. The surprises that nature can give us really feel like a message -- a meaningful reminder of the wonder that surrounds us. Lovely.

XO Barbara

Nicki said...

Hi Barbara,

Yes, sometimes these things do feel like a message. I'm glad I stopped to enjoy it for awhile.

Hugs,
Nicki