Monarch butterflies are lovely especially when set off against a blue sky, I think. This mini oil painting started with just the Monarch on the left but I thought one looked a bit lonely so added a second …a bit of a challenge to paint one edge one like that! They were the most common butterfly around when I was a kid – sadly not so common now.
(C) 2023 Hilary Farmer
OK I guess three paintings is officially a series? I really like where the palette landed on this meadow – I’ll call it “muted complements”. It has been a very slow, extra cold Spring where I live which may explain me leaning into Summer!
While I am continuing to work on a larger commission my large painting wall is full. So other things I’m working on at the same time will be smaller pieces I can fit on my easel. These minis continue to be a lot of fun so I will keep painting them and other slightly less tiny paintings. Once my commission is finished and approved by the client, I will share that too.
(C) 2023 Hilary Farmer
I was out walking near a pond recently. There were dragonflies darting and weaving over the surface of the water and a little bit along the path was a Red Admiral butterfly just sunning its wings. I was immediately inspired to paint one for my next mini. There’s a lot of dark velvety wing as well as its soft dark body so it was challenging to paint one but I’m happy with how it turned out.
(C) 2022 Hilary Farmer
This mini was based on a photo I took visiting my parent’s home last summer. The flowers were blooming and everything was alive with pollinators of all kinds. I kind of felt that this butterfly was looking a bit askance at me but I decided it was just shy. 🙂
(C) 2022 Hilary Farmer
Swallowtail butterflies were less commonly seen when I was young at least where I grew up. So the sight was more treasured for being rare when they gently floated over the flowers in my mother’s perennial border. These days they are a more common sight where I live than monarchs, but I still love to see them grace a flower as they pause to rest.
image (C) 2021 Hilary Farmer
Continuing with the theme of small creatures for these mini paintings with a monarch butterfly. I feel quite sad and nostalgic for these beauties. When I was a kid, they were all around but I hardly see them anymore. I have read this year that monarchs may be making a bit of a comeback though – so yay!
image (C) 2021 Hilary Farmer
Butterflies are so beautiful! …and challenging to paint. I tried to not get too caught into all the intricate details while still making it look authentic.
Tom’s poem for this painting will help conjure Spring for sure!
Hallelujah! Hear the news!
The spring is here and sun is warm!
Spread your wings and pass the booze!
Join with me in coming swarm!
image (c) 2021 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2021 TJ Radcliffe
I have just finished a series of eight mini oil paintings. I thought it would be fun to try tiny creatures on tiny paintings. It was! 🙂 Remember, it may look large on your screen but these are very small.
Tom has written delightful short poems – one for each. Enjoy!
Now really, Darling, don’t you see
that when I’m posed beside this berry
my colours bold and wild and free
are so much brighter, fun, and merry?
image (c) 2021 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2021 TJ Radcliffe
I am quite pleased with how the richness of the colours came out. The orange comes forward and the magenta recedes enhancing the layered effect.
You may have noticed that the titles of the mandalas change after they have been painted. The names come to me as I am working and the effect of the colour on this one for me was to shift from the general feeling of meadow to a meadow in full summer. Guess I am looking forward through this rainy spring weather …or maybe looking back to one of those perfect childhood summer days.
As usual, Tom has seen things and expanded the image through his poetic response. This one is particularly magical! Love it – thanks Tom! 🙂
high summer fields at rest beneath the sun
dry weltering cicadas buzzing deep
curving pigtails flouncing round in fun
then hiding ‘neath the flowers, knapping sleep
in shards from solid summer afternoons
safe amidst the purple leaves and sedge
upon the sandy soil that hides the runes
writ in burrows down the lattice hedge
writ by rabbits wise in meadow ways
writ with knowledge sinking to the centre
stretching out to touch the turning days
opening the gates and letting enter
all the truth that cannot just be spoken
of the wheel that turns and won’t be broken
image (c) 2017 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2017 Tom Radcliffe
This piece started as an idea about butterflies and evolved into something else where the monarch butterfly is just clinging on to the periphery. The shifts in the scale of the lattice help create different possibilities of interpretation. There are subtle asymmetries in the pattern that I decided to embrace as the mandala developed.
Tom has written a sonnet for this mandala that somehow matches it and brings out nuances that I was not consciously aware of! He says, “Lots of abstract evocative stuff in this, like the image itself. I see shield-like elements to it, as well as a welcoming landscape, and more besides.”
Round the turning wheel’s asymmetry
curling curves protect the leaves of grass
Darkling centre from a bygone century
carved in ancient wood and pinned with brass
Missing moments, arms outstretched to bridge
improvised extensions far from home
Fingers reaching, touching, just a smidge
of butterfly is needed to be known
Starlight staggers, stuttering delights
dappling dark desires with softer shadows
Earthlight filters down through lattice lights
touching summer fields no longer fallow
Between the petals mysteries await
Ungentle Love disturbs the course of Fate
image (c) 2017 Hilary Farmer
poem (c) 2017 Tom Radcliffe
Green Tea Doodles 