Two Pieces for the local Myco Show (June '19)

Two new pieces for the local Myco Show (June '19), hosted by The Ivy House Gallery...:

Emily Dickinson Tribute  (Oil on 6x9 Wood Cutting Board)

Sylvia Plath Tribute (Oil on 8x10 wood plaque)

"We Shall by Morning Inherit the Earth..."

Back in the Spring, a gallery called The Ivy House, announced a call for local artists to enter into an upcoming show they were hosting, called 'Myco'....:

 

I contributed two pieces, both tributes to favorite poets of mine, Emily Dickinson, and Sylvia Plath.  As authors of Mushroom poems I absolutely adore, it seemed fitting to paint their portraits for this Myco theme....:

View from the Side

The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants...:

The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants -

At Evening, it is not

At Morning, in a Truffled Hut

It stop opon a Spot

As if it tarried always

And yet it’s whole Career

Is shorter than a Snake’s Delay -

And fleeter than a Tare -

’Tis Vegetation’s Juggler -

The Germ of Alibi -

Doth like a Bubble antedate

And like a Bubble, hie -

I feel as if the Grass was pleased

To have it intermit -

This surreptitious Scion

Of Summer’s circumspect.

Had Nature any supple Face

Or could she one contemn -

Had Nature an Apostate -

That Mushroom - it is Him!

~Emily Dickinson

(This Emily Dickinson tribute piece is actually a little revisit to an earlier painting I did years past (which can be seen in the heading at the very top of this blog)...). 

View from the Side

Mushrooms...:

Overnight, very
Whitely, discreetly,
Very quietly

Our toes, our noses
Take hold on the loam,
Acquire the air.

Nobody sees us,
Stops us, betrays us;
The small grains make room.

Soft fists insist on
Heaving the needles,
The leafy bedding,

Even the paving.
Our hammers, our rams,
Earless and eyeless,

Perfectly voiceless,
Widen the crannies,
Shoulder through holes. We

Diet on water,
On crumbs of shadow,
Bland-mannered, asking

Little or nothing.
So many of us!
So many of us!

We are shelves, we are
Tables, we are meek,
We are edible,

Nudgers and shovers
In spite of ourselves.
Our kind multiplies:

We shall by morning
Inherit the earth.
Our foot's in the door.

 

~Sylvia Plath

Emily Dickinson Tribute Painting

I love mushrooms and always have -- to find them, to look at them, to eat them.  

Thus I did have a lot of fun with this theme.

Sylvia Plath Tribute Painting

Thanks to the Ivy House Gallery for letting my participating in their lovely 'Myco' show...!

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"Frankenstein is Served", for the FRANKENSTEIN MEETS LITTLE WOMEN Art Show

"Frankenstein Meets Little Women: 

A Monster Mash"

"Frankenstein is Served", Oil on wood Oval, 18 x 24

Brand new art...! 

Frankenstein. Little Women.  Two highly beloved literary classics.  And both celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, the first having been written 200 years ago by Mary Shelley, with the second written 150 years ago, by Louisa May Alcott. Whatever would happen if you squished these two seemingly very dissimilar subject themes together....?  

Why, the 'Frankenstein Meets Little Women: A Monster Mash' art show of course!  

Event conceptualized and organized by Valerie E. Weich

The brainchild of curator and historical reenactment artist, Valerie E. Weich,  the "Frankenstein Meets Little Women" art show opens this weekend (Sat, 10/20) in South Pasadena, CA, and I was so delighted and honored to have been invited to participate.  Long standing literary fan and independent scholar, Valerie Weich had a vision for a multi-faceted art/literary experience, which, with much careful thought and planning upon her part, has come to fruition.  She has put together such a comprehensively entertaining and educational event -- complete with artist panel discussion, a living history performance, a movie screening, an educational lecture plus special opening and closing parties, all in conjunction with a fascinating art show by a fine group of hand-selected artists -- that my only regret is not being able to make the show in person myself (really sad about that!)....: 

So upon having been asked to participate, how in the world was I to tie together these two classic tomes in one painting?  All while keeping within my own particular artistic approach and style...?  

Norman Rockwell's "Freedom from Want"

One of the predominant themes running through both novels is Family.  Obviously, "Little Women" is all about Family, featuring as it does the four March sisters, and their beloved mother, Marmie.  But the story of Frankenstein is about family too -- or the lack of it in The Creature's case -- and how The Creature, isolated and apart, longs for the acceptance and belonging of a family, hurtfully rejected as he is by his own creator.  I tossed around a few concepts for my entry into the show until given a really juicy suggestion by Valerie herself that I felt I could truly run with -- that being the spoofing of Norman Rockwell's classically quintessential family-themed artwork, "Freedom from Want"....:

"Frankenstein is Served" (or, is it 'severed'...?) on a large oval plaque

And there you have it: "Frankenstein is Served", in which we have The Creature featured and meeting all the girls of 'Little Women" (Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March), along with Mary Shelley his literary Creator), her famed poet husband, Percy Shelley, Louisa May Alcott, Marmie..., and....me!  (Because I couldn't very well parody Mr, Rockwell's famous painting and his wee cameo without including my own little selfie now could I...?).

And if you happen to be in the L.A. area this this week, consider going to see this this amazing show....!  Click this link to read what the South Pasadean has to say about it.

Boneyard Art Festival 2017: "Medusa"

"You only have to look at the Medusa 

straight on to see her.  And she's not deadly.  

She's beautiful, and she's laughing..."

~Helen Cixous

"Medusa", for the Boneyard Art Festival, April/2017

Hello, little neglected blog.  Didn't mean to be absent quite so long!  Yet, as always happens, I will eventually find my way back in here.... 

 This time around it's been a few privately commissioned projects, including a particularly large one, that have been keeping me busy behind-the-scenes and away from my usual artistic pursuits.  Such as the Nibblefest Art Contest.  I'm missing it...!  Hoping to get back into the Nibblefest groove in the next couple of months. In the meantime I'm needing to update with a few past projects that for some reason (I guess because they were local...?) never made their way into my blog.  Since I do like to keep this little virtual space as documentation for my own reference, I'm updating now.

"Medusa", April 2017

And so here we have the Medusa. 

There's an annual art event in my locality, known as the Boneyard Arts Festival (named after a little creek that meanders through the town).  The fest runs over a weekend every April, with shows and events at multiple venues all over the city.  Last year (2017) I was invited to hang a painting with the Twin City Derby Girls, our local roller derby team, as they hosted a gallery venue at their practice space. This was my piece for their show....:

"Medusa"  7 x 9 shield-shaped plaque

I had had this old, shield-shaped wooden plaque in my stash for the longest time.   It was high time to use it, and what better subject to feature upon a shield, than Medusa...?   Not to mention what better subject to feature for a showing with the Roller Derby girls, than a Medusa on a shield....?  It all seemed entirely appropriate.

Thank you, Twin City Derby Girls...!

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"No Silent Springs" (Rachel Carson)"

“But man is a part of nature, 

and his war against nature 

is inevitably a war against himself....”

― Rachel Carson

My tribute to Rachel Carson and her book, 'Silent Spring'

"No Silent Springs

(Rachel Carson)"

I recently watched the PBS 'American Experience episode' regarding the author and naturalist, Rachel Carson, about her life's work.  While I knew a little about her background, the documentary went into great detail and was very educational.  I learned much from watching it, and also found myself highly moved. 

Oils on a 7x9 wood plaque

In an era when Nature was seen as a thing necessary for Mankind to dominate, exploit, intercept and control, Rachel Carson's message firmly challenged that prevailing Mid-Century notion.  While the attitudes of the time reflected a belief that humans were somehow separate and apart from the natural world, Carson argued instead that mankind is actually an integral part of the dynamism of Nature, and that our human activities potentially have more far-reaching repercussions and impacts than we might even be aware of.  Her book, 'Silent Spring', specifically questioned the widespread use of chemical pesticides, while calling attention to the negative impacts such wholesale application had upon the environment and animal life -- and ultimately, upon ourselves.   'Silent Spring' became a best seller and brought much public awareness to the concept of environmental conservation.  Her influential writings and moving testimonies helped awaken a global cause, and are generally credited with giving rise and advancement to our modern environmental movement.

I was able to use a small wooden plaque purchased 2nd-hand from our local I.D.E.A. Store

As such, when looking for a subject to paint for this month's EBSQ "Awakening" online exhibit, Rachel Carson came to mind immediately.  Her influence awakened an entire generation. The title of the book, 'Silent Spring', refers to the scenario of an absence of song birds, as they perish en mass from heavy pesticide exposure. Robins in particular are susceptible to the effects of industrial chemicals and pesticides building up in the food chain -- so a robin seemed a likely symbol.  There is also the matter of Rachel Carson having died relatively young (in her 50's) from aggressive breast cancer.  As a survivor of breast cancer myself, I hated to learn about how she likely suffered in her illness. Oncology treatments were rudimentary at best back then, harsh and commonly ineffective, and doctors often patronizing.   We'll never know if Rachel Carson's own cancer was in any way environmentally triggered.  But what if is was...?  Then somehow her message feels even all-the-more weighty to me. 

On my easel in progress....

And so, while I'm entering this piece into the March EBSQ "Awareness" online art exhibit, I was also able to hang it in a local, themed art show this month, entitled "Resist".  What comes to mind when you think of Resistance....?  Rachel Carson did go on to experience a lot of negative fall-out from her writings and opinions -- many folks, including those in the farming industry and other corporate interests, looked to discredit her work and smear her reputation.   They resisted her environmental message -- while she in turn intrepidly resisted their public pressure and attempts to keep her quiet.....

Here's a photo of my entry, "No Silent Springs (Rachel Carson)" hanging in the local "Resist" show....

My Rachel Carson tribute hanging in the Resist show at our local Independent Media Center

RIP, Rachel Carson.  

Here's to no silent springs.

My White/Orwell Tribute for EBSQ's February Online Exhibit: 'Opposites'

"Animal Web": oils upon a 10x12 handmade canvas using a re-purposed frame

Yesterday was the last day of the month of February, which meant the deadline for the EBSQ online exhibit, "Opposites".  I entered last night with this little piece, a tribute to two much beloved pig story authors, EB White, and George Orwell.  I've entitled it, "Animal Web", and it is my interpretation of the theme, 'Opposites'....

EB White and George Orwell, With Their Pigs.

The following is my entry's artist statement over at EBSQ:

"Animal Web: A Tribute To Authors,

EB White and George Orwell":

My entry for the February 2017 EBSQ online "Opposites" exhibit features a whimsical little fantasy piece painted in loving tribute to two of my favorite authors:  EB White, of 'Charlotte's Web', and George Orwell, of "Animal Farm".  Both authors were talented, highly esteemed, caucasion, of similar age (born only a few years apart), and writers of fiction. Both wrote sweeping, captivating tales regarding farms -- specifically featuring complex and endearing characters who happened to be pigs.  However, the similarities between the two men and their fiction likely mostly ends there -- and not only because one was American and the other British.  Both used their porcine protagonists to weaves two very different tales indeed.  EB White's beloved "Charlotte's Web" narrates the story of unity, cooperation, and friendship -- plus what I always personally interpreted as strong, optimistic message as to the value of Nature, and of animals, and of anti-cruelty in general.  And all within the sweet setting of a peacefully idyllic, mid-century farmstead.   George Orwell's "Animal Farm", however, though also set against the backdrop of a picturesque farmstead, spins a very opposing narrative.  Orwell used his setting and plot to outline an allegorical and cautionary story about the rise of Soviet communism and of the brutal dictatorship of Joseph Stalin.  His pigs are far from sweet, passive characters -- they are highly manipulative creatures who get up to some very nasty things.  The intimidate and oppress their fellow farm-mates ("All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others").  They threaten and cajole, assail and even engage in violence -- a much darker yarn for sure.   "Charlotte's Web" and "Animal Farm", two classic and much beloved modern-day fables about intrepid pigs living on farms, that really couldn't be more 'opposite'....

(Note:  In the spirit of creative re-use, this painting support was hand-fashioned using a re-purposed old 10x12 wood frame. I like to upcycle previously used second-hand materials that might otherwise make their way to the landfill into my creative process in lieu of new purchases whenever applicable)....

This is my 2nd in a series of tributes to George Orwell.  You can find my previous piece here...

Side View

This painting will soon be making it's way across the country as a fun project commissioned by a White and Orwell fan.  Very thankful for lots of freelance work at present, with more to write about soon....

UPDATE~UPDATE



Happy to say my little "Animal Web" tribute painting here won 'Member's Mention" (2nd Place) in the EBSQ 'Opposites' online  -- thanks so much to my voters...! 

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My Kafka Tribute for EBSQ's January Exhibit Theme: 'Metamorphosis'

"I cannot make you understand.

I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me.

I cannot even explain it to myself..."

~Franz Kafka, "The Metamorphosis"

I entered the EBSQ "Metamorphosis" exhibit with this little tribute portrait of Franz Kafka -- because please, "Metamorphosis"...?
 .

What else could it possibly be but Kafka...?

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'Metamorphosis' In-Progress Photo

The following is my statement over at EBSQ:

 .

 

My entry for the "Metamorphosis" exhibit features a small portrait painted in tribute to Mr. Franz Kafka, author of the 1915 novella, "The Metamorphosis".  Mr. Kafka gazes steadily out to us, his head held protectively within the pinchers of an extraordinary fantasy insect. 

When contemplating a subject for this month's theme, but of course this classic tome was one of the first things to come to mind.  For many of us, myself included, "The Metamorphosis" was required reading in school -- a tale of woe about a young man who unwillingly and inexplicably metamorphosizes into a huge and fearsome-looking insect, and how this unusual and unfortunate circumstance negatively impacts his life, as well as the lives of his family, who go on to ultimately reject him in his given state.  Throughout his long and drawn-out ordeal, the young man/insect is stuck within his house, unable to leave the four walls of his room for fear of public reaction to his condition. Hence I felt this little segment of found, wooden picket fencing that I used for my painting support an especially good fit for this project, being as that it is rather "house shaped" at that.  And while I don't want to include any spoilers of the story here to those who haven't read it, suffice it to say the protagonist does not come to a good end by the last chapter of the book, hence we have as part of the insect's body a wee painted skull. 

So let this be a warning to all, shall we....?  Please try not to transform randomly while sleeping into big creepy insects, if you can at all avoid it.....

.......

. 


UPDATE ~UPDATE

Happy to say that my entry won "Member's Choice" (1st Place) in the 'Metamorphosis' show, yay!  This involves a cash prize -- thanks so much, EBSQ...!   (Plus I have plans to hang this locally, at a cafe here in town that has put out the call for original art).  

New E.A.Poe Tribute for Nov's NFAC Theme "SAME SUBJECT AS 1st ART SOLD ONLINE"

“Who has not, a hundred times,
found himself committing a vile or a silly action
for no other reason
than because he knows he should not...?”  

~Edgar Allan Poe, 'The Black Cat'

My NFAC entry: a tribute in oils to E.A. Poe, painted upon a 12x8 cat-shaped wood plaque

After all my recent talk of gardening and cooking, we're now back to our regularly scheduled programming of arting and painting, as  Nibblefest Art Contest Week swings its way back 'round, once again.

~Poe Tribute: Click for Auction Link~

November's Nibblefest theme is: "Same Subject as the First Art You Sold Online".  A bit of a different than the usual, no? After over a decade of monthly Nibblefest Art Contest themes, you can image how some of the more popular ones have made their trek around the block any number of repeated times. This one however is a first.   

Thus speaking of 'firsts', my first ever online art sale was for the November '08 NFAC theme, "Christmas Trees" (my very first NFAC entry) via Ebay.  But my first ever sale for the online marketplace *Etsy* was back in 2011, when I sold a wee, painted ACEO tribute portrait of the inimitable artist, Salvador Dali....: 

A 2.5 x 3.5 watercolor ACEO portrait of Salvador Dali, my 1st Etsy sale

 So I'm using this as my 'first'.  And indeed, I could certainly have painted another in a series of personal tribute portraits to Mr. Dali (as, for example, this one).  Instead, I chose to focus upon the fact that my first-ever (Etsy) sale was of a famous and historic, dead, white, artistic male.  Thus I'm entering Nibblefest this month with a tribute portrait of yet another famous and historic, dead, white, artistic male:  

Mr. Edgar Allen Poe.

"Poe's Black Cat"....

 I believe this is now something like my 5th or 6th in a series of Poe tributes (previous ones can be found here, here and here).  But he was actually painted a few months back....

On my easel, back in September

I'd been hoarding this particular thrifted, cat-shaped plaque (sort-of-similar-yet-very-different to this cat-shaped plaque from a few years back) for forever, waiting for another Nibblefest 'Cats' theme to come around again.  I was happy to finally have my chance this past September, for "Feline Nation".  Only unfortunately, I fished around so long for an actual concept to paint, during what was already a really busy month, that I ended up getting started so late in the game I couldn't quite finish in time to enter him properly (because One-Day Nibblefest auctions feel just too risky for me....!).  

Still, after posting him on social media, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a random invitation to display him for the month of October in a unique Halloween art show, called "Haunting at the Hive", at the Hive Gallery in Chester, New Jersey.  So that's where he ended up for the month of October.   Obviously I didn't make it to N.J. to see the exhibit myself, but oh, how I wished I could have -- if the photos and videos I saw of it were any indication, it looked really amazing. 

A link to the video of the amazing gallery show, chock-full of original, Haunting-inspired artwork (you can see my Poe piece around the 24:20 mark)....:

Haunting at the Hive, Chester NJ Oct 8 -  Nov 5 2016 from Chaotic Attractors (LK Pettine) on Vimeo.

Some stills of my Poe from the show:

Photo Credit: Vicky Knowles

Photo Credit: Vicky Knowles

In any case, I  felt most honored indeed to be included with all those amazing and visionary artists.  A big thank you to The Hive...!

So as you can see, Mr. Poe has already covered some mileage under his belt (and soon I assume to cover even more).....

My auction description:

"Poe's Black Cat"

Is there a Poe fan in your life...?

My entry for this month's Nibblefest Art Contest (NFAC), the theme for  November being 'SAME SUBJECT as First Art Sold Online', features a portrait created in loving tribute to the esteemed 19th century American author, Edgar Allan Poe.  Painted in oils upon an old, found, 12" x 8" cat-shaped wooden plaque, this unique original is signed and ready to hang.   

“Who has not, a hundred times,
found himself committing a vile or a silly action
for no other reason
than because he knows he should not...?”

~Edgar Allan Poe, 'The Black Cat'


Years ago, my very first sale via the Etsy online art marketplace was a wee ACEO watercolor portrait in tribute to the artist, Salvador Dali (as seen in my photos).  As such I took this as my inspiration for this month's Nibblefest theme of "Same Subject as First Art Sold Online".  Only not literally another portrait of Mr. Dali himself, but rather the fact that the subject matter was of a famously known and revered, dead artistic white male.  This, my November Nibblefest entry, is of ANOTHER famously known and revered, dead artistic white male, the venerable Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. 

Mr. Poe wrote a well-known short story entitled, "The Black Cat" -- thus painting his portrait upon a cat-shaped plaque felt fitting indeed.  Here's hoping you enjoy my little tribute and Nibblefest entry as much as I enjoyed painting it...!

.......................


......UPDATE~UPDATE~UPDATE....


Happy to say my "Poe's Black Cat" won the Big Chomp award in November's Nibblefest Art Contest -- a big shout out of thanks to all my lovely bidders...!

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New Henry David Thoreau Tribute for Oct's Nibblefest Art Contest "PUMPKINS" Theme

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin

and have it all to myself, 

than to be crowded on a velvet cushion...."

~Henry David Thoreau

7.5 x 9.5, "Thoreau, Pumpkin Sitter", painted in oils for Oct's Nibblefest Art Contest

~ Click for Auction Link ~

Several months have come and gone since I last entered the Nibblefest Art Contest.  I never intentionally blow it off, and for so long -- but often time does just get the best of me, as it did this long (though it actually seemed so short!) and mega-busy summer.  No matter, it's always there for me to come back to whenever I can...., which I finally did this month with its "Pumpkins" theme.  What better way to celebrate 'Pumpkins' than with these wise words by the venerable Mr. Henry David Thoreau?  As a person who tries to practice Voluntary Simplicity whenever I can in my own life, I can so relate to this quote.  Thus we have here my little personal homage, as always painted in loving (if slightly irreverent) tribute:

Side View

I had the perfect plaque for this, one that I dug deep out of storage -- an aged one, of slightly weathered wood.  I had to scrape off some faded, generic print that was hopelessly stuck to it, sanding it down to a smooth finish.  The slightly rough condition  seemed most fitting for this project -- I wanted a folksy feel -- plus in the spirit of Simplicity I tried to use minimal paint and really let the grain show through....

 This is actually my 2nd in a series of tributes to Thoreau.

  Longtime readers might recall this portrait I painted from a few years back, for Nibblefest's "Forest Creatures" theme in August of 2014:

Portrait of H.D.Thoreau, August 2014

 It's been nearly exactly two years since that one so I figured the time was nigh for another visit to that fascinating face.   

So much expression in those expansive eyes....:

Mr. Henry David Thoreau

 RIP, Mr. Henry D.

"Thoreau, Pumpkin Sitter"

(To see ALL the lovely "Pumpkin"-themed entries in this month's Nibblefest Art Contest, 

CLICK HERE....).

UPDATE~UPDATE:

Third Place Tie

My Thoreau tribute tied for Third Place in this month's Nibblefest Art Contest!
A big shout out of thanks to all my lovely bidders....!

New Emily Dickinson Tribute for June's Nibblefest Art Contest "BUTTERFLIES" theme

"The Butterfly Upon the Sky...."

Oils on a 5 x 7 beveled corner wood plaque, my tribute to Emily Dickinson

Auction link here 

(TO NOTE:  50% of the proceeds to be donated to the nonprofit Monarch conservation organization, Monarch Watch)

Yep, it's time to Nibble, once again.  

June's Nibblefest Art Contest theme is "Butterflies". 

What comes to mind when you think about butterflies....?  For me, it's the stately American Monarch.  Or more specifically, the trouble that our lovely Monarch Butterflies are currently finding themselves in.  They are at grave risk of becoming endangered.  This once ubiquitous Lepidoptera, which used to be EVERYWHERE when I was a kid....?  How can this be?

As I understand, the primary issue for their decreasing numbers, is their food source, the Milkweed.  A once common prairie plant, the Milkweed is the ONE and ONLY food source for the Monarch Butterfly caterpillar.  The adults lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves, and the larvae hatch and feast.   Loss of habitat, in combination with uber-effective new-generation herbicides in the agricultural industry, have really done a number on this once-common 'weed'.  It no longer grows in America in numerous, wide swaths as it once did.  So it's simple math really -- no Milkweed, no Monarch Butterflies....  

As such, Monarchs were heavily in my mind as I reflected upon this month's "Butterflies" theme.  To help me flesh out my concept, I turned to some lines of poetry by one of my favorites, the legendary Emily Dickinson.  She wrote a short poem entitled, "The Butterfly Upon the Sky".  A tribute to a classic American butterfly should only be paired with a classic American poet, don't you agree...?

"Butterfly Upon the Sky", my 4th in an ongoing series of tribute paintings of Emily Dickinson (one of them being in the  heading pic at the top of this blog)

 ......

The following is my auction description...:

"The Butterfly Upon the Sky"

 

My entry for this month's Nibblefest Art Contest (NFAC), the theme for June being "Butterflies", features a portrait in wee loving tribute to the classic American poet, Emily Dickinson....

Painted in oils upon a 5"x 7" wooden plaque with beveled corners, this original is signed and ready to hang. 

****NOTE: 50% of the proceeds for this auction will be going to the non-profit Monarch Watch, a monarch butterfly conservation organization.  I will also mail some milkweed seeds along with this painting if the winning bidder is interested....

(*NOTE:  This is for a 5-Day Auction)

While my entry for this month's Nibblefest is a wee tribute to a fabulous American poet, Emily Dickinson, it is also in tribute to a fabulous American butterfly species, the Monarch.  Which unfortunately, I'm very sad to say, is decreasing in numbers, to the point of becoming alarming. I can hardly wrap my mind around this, remembering as I do just how ubiquitous they were in my youth.  Monarch butterflies were EVERYWHERE here in the Midwest when I was a kid. No longer common where I live (or anywhere for that matter), it's actually becoming rare to see that striking bold flash of orange and black Monarch wings, as they become endangered.  So sad.

But all is not hopeless.  The primary reason for the Monarch's disappearing act is due to decreasing availability of the Milkweed plant.  Monarch butterflies need Milkweed to survive, being as that it is the ONE and ONLY plant upon which they can lay their eggs, for their caterpillars to feed. Loss of native habitat and tracts of Milkweed plants are pushing our lovely Monarch to extinction.  But we have it in our power to help!  How...???  Plant Milkweed in your yard or garden for one.  There are many varieties of the plant, and while it doesn't exactly have the reputation for being ornamental, it can actually be considerably more attractive than it's given credit for.  And if you plant it, they will come!  I've planted it for years and have had great luck....

Back to the poet, Emily Dickinson. I was inspired here by her poem, "The Butterfly Upon the Sky" (the first lines of which is written around the side/perimeter of the plaque):  


The Butterfly upon the Sky,
That doesn't know its Name
And hasn't any tax to pay
And hasn't any Home
Is just as high as you and I,
And higher, I believe,
So soar away and never sigh
And that's the way to grieve -~Emily Dickinson

.........

Interesting last line of her poem, eh?  I promise you I will be grieving indeed to lose our lovely Monarch butterfly.  But we will not let things get to that point!  Let's all do our share to help.  Plant Milkweed.  Donate.  Create awareness. 
 
And, as mentioned above, please note that 50% of the proceeds of this auction will be donated to the conservation organization, Monarch Watch. 
 


So here's hoping you enjoy my entry as much as I did painting it...!  

.................

I've been asked about her 'floating crown'.  Well, I included a crown as a nod to The Monarch, and also to 'crown' Miss Emily D. as the 'queen' of American poetry.  Only we Americans rejected Monarchical rule, so I couldn't actually have it depicted UPON her head, now could I...?  ;-)

 So there you have it.  I painted my own version of  a"Butterfly Upon the Sky", depicted as she is resting upon a Milkweed plant.  This particular variety of Milkweed is known as Swamp Milkweed, a rather unfortunate moniker for what is actually one of the more "ornamental" varieties of Milkweed, with its showy pink blossoms and slim tapered leaves.  I've been growing this particular variety for years with really great luck (and several generations of Monarchs!).  Or, I should say I HAD been growing it.  After many consecutive years of successful plantings, one season, after a particularly harsh winter I think, my milkweed didn't come up at all.  That started a several-year stretch of no milkweed whatsoever in my yard, because I didn't have seeds, nor access to seedlings (plus this particular variety of 'weed' not actually being all that invasive).  But I'm happy to say that last year, a wee volunteer milkweed seedling baby popped up -- what a pleasant little surprise!  I had not deliberately planted it, so I figure it must have lain dormant for several years before finally deciding to sprout? The location was not ideal either -- a rather shady spot, and in the gravel along my driveway no less.  I didn't want to disturb it though, so I left it be, and am happy to say it's grown and is doing well so far.  This is what it looks like today...:

Behold:  The ever lovely, and Monarch attracting, Swamp Milkweed

As you can see, no flowers yet (though buds are appearing at the top).  But it doesn't need blossoms to attract Monarchs.  Here's hoping they are able to find it this year!  Come to think of it, I haven't actually seen any Monarchs in my yard yet this season, sadly they are actually that rare nowadays -- but let's hope in any case.  And please further note that the winning bidder of this auction will have the option of my sending him or her some Swamp Milkweed seeds along with the painting.  Throw the seeds in your yard and give them a try -- or, if you are renting, into an ugly vacant lot or something in your area.  I intend to become the Johnny Appleseed of Milkweed, lol -- just spreading the loooooove....!

 

Long live Emily Dickinson and The Monarch Butterfly....!

(To see ALL the lovely "Butterfly"-themed entries in this month's Nibblefest Art Contest, CLICK HERE....).