Statement

For the Love of a Butterfly Artist Statement:

Creating art is a deeply personal journey for me, a form of expression that transcends words. As an artist, I often become a vessel, channeling messages from a realm beyond the tangible. The process of making art serves as a bridge to a liminal space, a place of unknowing where my subconscious engages in a dialogue with a greater, more profound connection. In this transcendental state, the artwork itself becomes the conduit, linking two worlds together.

In my series “For the Love of a Butterfly,” I have forged a profound connection with my succulent subjects, discovering deeper meaning in their forms. My relationship with succulents has always been intimate, but over the past year, they have revealed themselves to me in a completely new way. This revelation coincided with a significant personal loss—the unexpected passing of my mother during the creation of the first painting in this series, “Feel the Love.”

Amidst the overwhelming grief, I continued to paint, feeling my mother's presence and hearing her voice encouraging me. She often told me how proud she was of my work and how much she loved my art. Seeking her guidance and strength to finish the painting, I was surprised to see hearts organically appearing within the image. Each heart felt like a kiss from my mother—what she called “Italian mother kisses.” These hearts brought a smile through my tears, signifying blessings from beyond.

This phenomenon repeated itself in several paintings, each one imbued with these unexpected heart-shaped blessings. It's common for those grieving to see signs of their loved ones in various forms—a dove, a cardinal, a dream visitation, or even a smell, a song, or a feather. Such signals serve as powerful validations of their spiritual presence. For me, the succulents began to transform into butterflies, a symbol intimately connected to my mother, who adored them.

Although I have been painting succulents for over six years, it was only during this period that they began to manifest in this symbolic manner. As a realist, I paint what I see, and the emergence of these organic forms in my work became a source of inspiration and a way to feel close to my mother. Each painting in this series encapsulates a part of her spirit, whether through the gentle energy of a mother's love or through more tangible symbols. This body of work has become a powerful tool for healing, serving as a form of art therapy.

“For the Love of a Butterfly” is a tribute to Carol Beaudoin, my mother. Carol embodied joy, love, and kindness, and these qualities are reflected in each painting. I invite viewers to look deeply, connect with the natural world through these artworks, and feel the love that infuses them.