Winged happiness

Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

© Sarah Campbell

My head has been swirling with butterflies since mid-July, when I embarked on my second collaborative art installation, The Butterfly Project, featuring mosaic butterflies donated by over 60 artists from all over the world. This time I had donations from as far away as Australia and Russia!

After completing my first collaborative installation, the Messina Mural Project, I yearned to create another project of the same magnitude. An opportunity presented itself and I ran with the idea. The result is a giant swarm of butterflies - some of the craziest that you have ever seen.

Included in the swarm is a furry Sasquatch with butterfly wings, a flying stick of butter, an alligator with butterfly wings, and several more off the wall creations sent from artist friends from Flickr. Mixed with a sprinkling of beautiful but normal butterflies, the finished mural is going to be whimsical and eye-catching.

The butterfly mural is being installed at a local nature center, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, in Fort Myers. The facility is a wonderful place to visit and has held a special place in my heart ever since my teenage son started volunteering there last summer.

Progress photos and information on all of the wonderful artists that have donated their time and artistry can be found on the project blog.

© Amy Woodward

 

The willingness to share does not make one charitable; it makes one free.  ~Robert Brault