by Mindy Lighthipe | Butterfly Art, Experimentation Sparks Creativity, Insect Art, Scientific Illustration, Workshops
Did you know it’s National Moth Week? Butterflies often steal the spotlight, but moths are every bit as fascinating—and in my opinion, some are even more spectacular. One of my favorite species is the Madagascan Sunset Moth (Urania ripheus). With its...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Art For Conservation, Butterfly Art, Costa Rica, Experimentation Sparks Creativity, Inspiration
Through an Artist’s Eyes — When people learn that I spent more than a decade as a professional handweaver before becoming a botanical and natural science illustrator, they often ask what inspired such a dramatic career change. The truth is, it wasn’t as...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Butterfly Art, Conservation, Costa Rica, Gouache, Insect Art, Online Art Classes, Uncategorized, Workshops
There is something magical about stepping into the rainforest for the first time — the sound of distant birds, the humidity in the air, and the feeling that life is unfolding everywhere around you. As I prepare to return once again to Costa Rica for my annual art and...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Butterfly Art, Costa Rica, Insect Art, Scientific Illustration, Uncategorized, Workshops
An Electric Flash of Blue: Drawing the Magic of the Blue Morpho I still remember the very first time I saw a Blue Morpho butterfly in the Costa Rican rainforest. One moment the forest was deep green and shadowed—then zap!—an electric flash of blue zipped past me like...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Botanical Art, Butterfly Art, Colored Pencil, Conservation, Insect Art, Online Art Classes, Workshops
For many years I have been interested in the symbiotic relationship of plants and insects. I have done 30+ paintings over the years of insects and the plants which feed their young. Many people often overlook this relationship. It is paramount to preserve this...
by Mindy Lighthipe | Art Destinations, Art Exhibits, Butterfly Art, Conservation, Insect Art
I can’t believe it has been 9 months since I posted a blog post! Wow, how time flies when you are having fun and keeping busy!!! Since the pandemic I have been teaching online via Zoom. In the past year things have opened up and I have wonderful opportunities to...
