When I saw Illustration Friday's topic this week, it made me think of caterpillars, the humble beginnings of the life of a butterfly. And seeing as my tea project has incorporated so many butterflies lately, today I thought I would combine the two.
The first butterflies I ever saw were Cabbage Whites - they were the most common ones around when I was growing up. This sounds a little strange to say now, but I used to be quite frightened of butterflies and moths. I didn't like the unpredictable way they flew around. But I later found out that there's nothing random about their flight at all; they flit from side to side and in circles, not using sight, but smell - tasting the air, and comparing different spots, 'til they narrow in on where they want to be. They know exactly where they're going, they just meander their way there.
I learned this from another of Barbara Kingsolver's novels Prodigal Summer, and given that I only started drawing butterflies because of her latest novel Flight Behaviour, she seems to be single-handedly responsible for kindling my love for these insects.
Click here if you'd like to see my 365 Days of Tea project so far, butterflies and all!
This is my Fave so far.... I just love the green and this tea series is AWESOME !!! :-D xxx
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much ike!! :D
DeleteThis is a wonderful series, and I'm not just saying that because I love tea. I had a moment reading your post where I remember being very small and very uncomfortable about butterflies bouncing around in their random way. It's interesting how those little moments can come back to us. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda! And it's comforting to know I'm not the only one who was wary of butterflies :)
Delete