I first tried to photograph a fritillary butterfly at my parents’ house—it kept fluttering away just as I raised my camera. A few days later, my niece, Emma, sent me a photo of one on the same flowers I’d been chasing. Her image captured what I’d missed: the stillness between movements, the beauty in patience. This butterfly became a small reminder for me that presence often reveals what rushing past can’t.
The species I’ve painted here, Speyeria aglaja—known as the Dark Green Fritillary—is native to Europe and Asia, a close relative of the fritillaries that frequent Pennsylvania fields. Its name is a bit misleading—its wings are more golden-orange than green, patterned with black spots and silver markings beneath. Though found an ocean apart, both species share that same captivating balance of vibrance and grace.
About the Golden Halo Collection:
Each miniature painting celebrates light, resilience, and the quiet wonder found in nature’s details. Watercolor, gold ink, and acrylic medium combine to form delicate studies of flora and fauna—butterflies, moths, and wildflowers—that invite us to pause, notice, and be restored by nature’s beauty.
Born from a desire to slow down and reconnect, Golden Halo continues my exploration of stillness and renewal through the natural world. Every piece reflects my belief that beauty can be found in even the smallest subjects—each framed by a radiant circle of gold, symbolizing the light that endures within and around us.
Details:
Medium: Watercolor and gold ink on paper, coated with acrylic medium
