This year My Biriba Fruit with Hairstreak Butterfly; Annona mucosa, Atlides polybe painting was accepted into the ASBA- NY Horticultural Society 18th Annual International Botanical Art Exhibit. The exhibit will be up until December 30, 2015. Here is the story behind the painting.
For the past 25 years I have traveled to Costa Ricaand Central America to lead botanical and natural science artists into the rainforest. The diversity of species within the Neo-Tropics is astounding. The rainforest has become my classroom, where I learn and teach. Last year we visited the Tiskita region on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. While hiking on a trail near the ocean I looked up and saw the Biriba Fruit hanging from the trees. The unusual shape and color was something I was immediately fascinated with. These fruits look like ancient flails. They hang at the end of a long stem that is reminiscent of a ball and chain. Fortunately the spikes are rounded and soft and are considered by many to be an edible delicacy. I was able to draw the fruit, the leaf and stem in my sketchbook as well as create watercolor notes for the painting once I returned home.
On the same trip I met a woman who was in the last stages of terminal cancer. One of her wishes was to visit the rainforest and see as many different butterfly species as she could. As we walked along together she spoke of her love of butterflies. We immediately bonded as kindred spirits. The hairstreak butterfly in this painting was one that we spotted on our brief encounter together. The area was just down the ocean path from where I found the Biriba Tree. I sat with her and we quietly took pictures of the butterfly. I never saw the woman again but our chance meeting had an impact on me. Upon my return I painted the Biriba fruit and decided to put the butterfly into the composition. I felt it was a way to tell the story of my encounter with her; a small, fearless butterfly resting peacefully on a terrain of many peaks and valleys.
As a botanical and natural science artist I paint things depicting the interconnectedness of plants and insects in the natural world. Many of my works depict the lifecycle of butterflies with their host plants. This particular painting is more about the chance meeting of these two species and my chance meeting with another nature enthusiast.
Fascinating story, Mindy, and as always a lovely painting! Thanks for posting.
mlighthipe
on November 11, 2015 at 3:17 am
Thanks Carol for reading the blog post. I was happy to get a chance to write the story behind the painting as it was a special one for me.
Karen Brown
on November 10, 2015 at 9:30 pm
Very moving story. I love Costa Rica – I’ve been there twice (once on a plant trip and once for birding) and loved it both times.
mlighthipe
on November 11, 2015 at 3:16 am
Thanks for visiting my blog. I LOVE Costa Rica. I have been fortunate enough to visit the country every year for 25+ years. I will put you on the list to follow the blog. Cheers Karen! I look forward to our work together at UFL Invasive Plants!
Fascinating story, Mindy, and as always a lovely painting! Thanks for posting.
Thanks Carol for reading the blog post. I was happy to get a chance to write the story behind the painting as it was a special one for me.
Very moving story. I love Costa Rica – I’ve been there twice (once on a plant trip and once for birding) and loved it both times.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I LOVE Costa Rica. I have been fortunate enough to visit the country every year for 25+ years. I will put you on the list to follow the blog. Cheers Karen! I look forward to our work together at UFL Invasive Plants!
I’d like to follow your blog please.