The inspiration for the Butterfly Series came from reading Vladimir Nabokov's memoir, Speak Memory. Nabokov was a noted lepidopterist and his love of butterflies almost surpassed his love of writing.
By painting butterflies I can share their beauty without harming them.

The Goliath Birdwing is a true miracle of nature. It's wing span is about 9 inches. The second largest butterfly in the world, it is found in Australia and New Guinea and is strictly protected.

This collage is made of silver Chinese prayer paper and a painted Goliath Birdwing butterfly in gouache on an birch art board.
Size is 6 inch square x 7/8 inches