The ruminations of an artist on art & life...art quilts, beading, knitting, drawing, painting, printmaking, bookmaking are all my passions, I love to explore creating....

Friday, May 18, 2007

Spring Metamorphosis : Beaded Butterfly


Awhile ago I beaded this butterfly on paper---first I painted the design on some nice heavy printmaking paper, then beaded over the painting. And while I beaded, I also did some research on the mythical meanings of
butterflies---seems in many cultures the butterfly is a symbol of transformation--since they transform from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly in the cocoon--and, of course, this fit with what was happening in my life at that time.

I have signed up to participate in a year long Bead Journal Project that bead artist and teacher Robin Atkins is sponsoring (---more info about this group project on her blog here.) Now I am trying to decide what medium to bead on--since I plan to start with various bead embroidery stitches for my first bead journal page---should I use fabric or paper? I am playing with the notion of making a "sample book" of bead embroideries for my Bead Journal Project---playing with colors, designs, and various embroidery stitches. Inspired by this kind of antique fabric sample book. Maybe I need to start with an antique blank book ( or old antique scrap book?)hmm... where to find that..?

4 comments:

Mary Timme said...

Oh hurrah! Aurora! I'm so glad you are doing the BJP. I'm all the time changing what I'm doing, but have decided that tonight is the time to start the first design.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful butterfly!

Lotus Reads said...

I came here via bybee's (Naked Without Books) bookblog and I amm so glad I did! I love crafty blogs, I am going to enjoy looking through your posts and admiring your work. This beaded butterfly is just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Feather brained clouds off on rain's errand.


Insects mating furiously in flight--They call them love bugs.



Cleaving to one another as oblivion approaches.



Working their wings in the morning breeze.