There’s something endlessly charming about the kind of colorful folk art you find on old trunks, hand-carved furniture, and little forgotten trinkets at flea markets and estate sales. It always catches my eye. Maybe because it feels so personal, like a glimpse into someone’s quiet moments of creativity. There’s a warmth and homey-ness to it that I can’t help but be drawn to.
That feeling was the inspiration behind this new piece.
Usually, my butterfly work takes a very different form. I have others as collage paintings that involve weeks of cutting, layering, and meticulously arranging tiny paper fragments. It’s a slow, meditative process that I love, but this time I felt called to do something more spontaneous, more playful.
These butterflies began as quick, colorful sketches; hand-illustrated and painted with acrylics on paper, each one capturing a different mood and shape, with no pressure to “match” or conform. I let myself be free with the brushstrokes and doodling, inspired by the bold colors and patterns of folk art. It was honestly a refreshing change taking a creative detour that turned into a bit of a brain teaser, pushing me to work differently than I usually do.
After painting each butterfly separately, I scanned them and digitally arranged them into a single composition. The result is a trio of butterflies that still feels handmade and vibrant, but brought together in a cohesive print. One that celebrates both folk art and the freedom of stepping outside your usual routine.
This piece feels like a celebration of color, nostalgia, and curiosity. It’s for anyone who’s ever wandered through a market, spotted a hand-painted box or a chipped ceramic bird, and felt instantly at home.
Prints are now available if you’d like to bring a bit of that folk-inspired warmth into your space.
Thanks for stopping by!
Favorite Art Supplies for Paintings
