Life Is In The Balance

I needed the break I took the last few weeks. I jumped into this series full steam ahead and needed a rest!  Very happy to have acted on my strategizing of the last few weeks and put pencil to paper today. This spring there have been an abundance of flowering trees in my neighborhood. They inspired me to indulge in a favorite pass time, writing haiku.                Cherry trees in spring                The flowers like falling stars                Bringing me such joy  Narrows Botanical Gardens has a number of blooming apple trees which did not disappoint. There are many flowering plants at the Gardens now but the apple blossoms really captured my attention. They are especially beautiful but maybe it's also in my father's memory I celebrate them now. He was a great fan of apples and apple trees. He nurtured many an apple tree in his days as a gardener. This one's for you Dad. This is the sketchbook drawing that solidified my vision for this work. It may appear rather crude

  The monarchs world is opening up. At the top you can see the milkweed seeds being blown around by the wind. Zinnias bloom in the garden during the summer. The monarchs are frequently visit the zinnias. The stage has been set, my concerns now are the color palette and creating a harmonious balance of the elements that are telling this story. More work to be done. Butterflies always make me think of my brother Paul. When we were children he was the one running around collecting insects. I was more likely looking at larger creatures. I vividly remember his setting up a sheet one evening and using a flashlight to attract luna months. They remain one of my favorites today.   My mission with this work is to engage you and encourage you to look carefully and try to see how these organisms relate to each other (and us!). 

Monarchs and Milkweed, 30"x30", mixed media on paper, 2023  We Love These Guys There is something so inspiring about their story. Over numerous generations they travel from various locations in the US to Mexico, winter over and return. This can be up to 3,000 miles one way. Their ability to navigate this distance had intrigued scientists who have numerous theories. Their caterpillars will only eat milkweed leaves. One of the reasons they are currently on the endangered list. Oh, and they are really beautiful.  Sadly they are plummeting toward extinction.