The Butterfly Challenge

 “How brittle in reality are all the things whose permanence is never questioned.”   20th-century explorer Freya Stark 

The National Butterfly Center in Mission Texas is home to over 200 species of butterflies. The center is fighting the US government's plan to bisect the refuge with its border wall. In spring 2019, I painted 40 butterflies in 40 days to show support and bring attention to the National Butterfly Center and its fight against the border wall.  I posted a butterfly each day on Instagram, Facebook and my website. These are paintings of actual butterflies found throughout the world. I researched them and strived to represent them anatomically and close to size. I donated thirty percent of sales to the National Butterfly Center.  The push to build the wall through the Butterfly Center has subsided, however the Center is now receiving threats from Build-the-Wall zealots and the employees are in danger. I will continue to paint butterflies in an effort to bring attention to the importance of this butterfly and animal refuge and its struggle to survive.

https://thezebra.org/2019/03/09/torpedo-factory-artist-highlights-butterfly-plight-amid-border-wall-fight/

Recent Awards & Accolades

"Curious Cows;" February, March 2022; Hill Center Galleries 2022 Regional Juried Exhibition; Washington DC [Juried, only 120 pieces chosen from over 700 pieces]

"Chickadee on Tapestry;" December 2021 Juried Show; The Art League, Alexandria, VA; Best in Show

 "Still Life with Roses;" December 2021 Juried Show;  The Art League, Alexandria, VA; Honorable Mention

 "Cows;" December, 2021; Randy Higbee Gallery, 6" Square Show, (Juried)  Costa Mesa, California

"Deluge;" December, 2020; Randy Higbee Gallery, 6" Square Show, (Juried)  Costa Mesa, California

"Cake Reflected;" November 2020 Juried Show; The Art League, Alexandria, VA,; Honorable Mention

  "Cake on a Plate;" November 2018 Juried Show; The Art League, Alexandria, VA,;Best in Show

 "Green Bow;" May 2019 Juried Show; The Art League, Alexandria, VA; Honorable Mention

 "Night Shift;" March 2019 Juried Show;  The Art League, Alexandria, VA; Honorable Mention

 "Driving Rain;" March 2018 Juried Show;  The Art League, Alexandria, VA; Honorable Mention

Publications / Press

The Zebra, March 2019

https://thezebra.org/2019/03/09/torpedo-factory-artist-highlights-butterfly-plight-amid-border-wall-fight/

Elan Magazine, March 2018

https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=29465&i=523122&p=1&article_id=3177898&ver=html5