I thought it would fun to do a storytelling series to introduce you to the creatures in my stationery field guide collections.
I was inspired to illustrate the monarch butterfly for a die cut project which led to four more butterfly illustrations for an artist book / field guide, both projects for a graphic design class in summer 2012. I started out doing a couple sketches in my sketchbook to get a feel for drawing butterflies.
Then I took my sketches into the computer and drew a Monarch in Adobe Illustrator. After those projects, I got carried away, illustrating at least 12 more butterflies. That was the beginning of my journey into the stationery business.
Monarchs are probably one of the most identifiable butterflies, at least in North America. They are well-known for their long-distance migration south in winter from Canada to Mexico. Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed plants, and the adults sip nectar from the flowers of milkweeds. As milkweeds fade in fall, the Monarchs move to goldenrods. Monarchs are distasteful to birds due to the toxins from the milkweeds they eat as a caterpillar. A great way to keep predators away, which is common among many butterflies.
My Monarch butterfly illustration can be found on the month of June in my 2013 calendar,
on notecards for sending greetings to family and friends,
on mini cards for gift giving,
on gift wrap, and more.
Stay tuned for a future storytelling series from a field guide to leaves and fish. Thanks for stopping by.
Very pretty! I love butterflies!
Monarchs are so gracious and beautiful, thanks so much for the story behind them!
Thanks Cheryl! I’m looking forward to spotting them again when they return to our area in spring/summer.
Hi Terri! Wonderful butterfly story! I love your butterflies and I remember your amazing photos from butterfly exhibition! x Teje
Thanks so much Teje! I learned so much about butterflies while doing my illustrations, so it was a treat to see that exhibition last summer.
Très joli!
They are so beautiful. I have been meaning to order a calendar from you….I need a new one for my fridge. This reminded me. Thanks!
Thank you Stephanie! And thanks for ordering a calendar!
Oh, I love them! The new blog banner looks awesome:)
Thanks Vicki! And thanks for noticing my new blog banner. It’s an illustration I did for a class last fall that I didn’t want to just file away.
Your new blog banner looks great and how wonderful to read the story behind your inspiration – especially when it lead to the launch of your stationery business. It’s funny how these initial, seemingly small ideas can metamorphise into larger dreams which certainly do spread their wings and take flight. Quite symbolic and beautiful :0)