Watercolor 7 1/2” x 11 on Fabrianno Artístico hot pressed watercolor paper.

This was a huge challenge and I almost chucked it several times. But, I’ve long had a great love of this seedpod, with it’s lovely, precision Fibonacci patterned seeds. I found a photo of the seed pod to work from ( photo credit : Dale Kauzlaric Photography ) I learned so much working on this painting; how inspiration can grow from one thing into something quite different. As I painted, I started on a little trip down memory lane as I have for decades “raised” Monarchs in the summer with my kids and grandkids and even neighbor kids. It is Magic! and the Monarch in particular is just fascinating to watch. My daughter and I would literally stay up all night to catch the caterpillar in its journey to the top of it’s tent to weave it’s silk mat and do the boogy dance to shed it’s skin and form the lovely blue-green chrysalis with it’s gold, beaded necklace. Then again to watch the eclosion process as the fully formed Butterfly emerged. It is, without a doubt, absolutely Magic!