Wow, what a start to the day, about 40 F in early February this is a warm summer like day, the snow is slowly melting, the earth is thristy for a drink after a long 4 months with little water. More is on the way, as we continue to head toward spring, and even warmer days.

Today, no painting, still in progress, but the attached sketch is of a butterfly to be--a red-spotted purple, ever wonder why someone named this red-spotted purple, when you see the painting, in fact, the red spots are really orange and the purple color is really blue. Maybe they were color blind and could not see the true color, doesn't matter--the key to today's starting sketch is to see the beginning, like the butterfly starting as a particular catepillar, eating for a while, then making a cocoon, sleeping for a short while then coming out into the light as a beautiful butterfly is in many ways miraculous. When we are born, a tiny baby and then grow, we're not quite so fortunate, our physical beauty surrounds us when we're young and fades as we age, but the Greeks loved butterflies and their word "psyche" meaning "soul" was their impression. I like that because even as our body fades, the outer part we see, the inner part, the soul, grows further into a more beautiful image, more Christ like as we pray and give thanks daily. By the way they love birch trees anyone have a clue as to why? There must be a reason,eh?

Have a butterfly day--stay tuned--the color is coming soon.

Jimmy