Believing in Beauty
The transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is one of nature’s many small miracles. I was beautifully reminded of it last week during a visit to a butterfly conservancy, where fluttering wings in stunning colors and patterns flickered and floated around us. I found myself drawn to the stillness of the chrysalis display, where hundreds of jewel-like and homely pupa hung. Two butterflies had recently emerged. They seemed like a promise to all of us who have no idea where life is headed but still believe in the possibility of enduring beauty. Tips… Read More
Butterflies and Chocolate
Stepping from 4֯ F outside into a 75 ֯ F conservatory filled with flowering plants and fluttering butterflies is a wonderful treat on a winter day. I met up with two artist friends at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory for an afternoon of sketching, followed by a visit to Richardson’s Candy Kitchen in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. What a winning combination: friends, art, butterflies, and chocolate. Painting in the conservatory was more overwhelming than I had imagined. Butterflies were everywhere, in nearly constant motion, and the place was crowded with visitors. Although the butterflies… Read More
Jean Mackay
The Nature Explorer’s Sketchbook
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Drawn In 