845-887-3156 debra@debracortese.com

#SMCSFBlogOff day 2: engaged in the dance of nature

by | Oct 9, 2012 | #SMCSFBloggOff, ART, art business, Art Licensing, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, custom art & design, General optimism, GIFTS, Miami, nature's energy

In yesterday’s blog, I shared the first pattern based on the Zebra Long Wing Butterflies.
The next step for me (my business side of art) is adapting it for a variety of products and applications.
The Zebra Long Wing pattern would be ideal for textiles: I can imagine a table setting with napkins and runners using a combination of solid colors to accent the pattern. Pillows and chair covers would be a possibility too.
Since I have my own line of bags and a Cafepress shop, I’ve already put together a casual tote bag, a hipster style and a couple of iphone cases. Tomorrow I’ll work on the web pages for these.*

This blog challenge…

is magnifying how time intensive it is to genuinely share my process of observing the delightful creatures, plants, sounds, movements, smells, and changes of light and shadows in nature.
I want to share how what I observe turns into the art and designs that I am compelled to create.
The zebra butterflies are no longer just pretty little winged creatures flying around my garden. They have a story. They have a vibration and I literally feel their colors, the beauty of their patterns, the magnificence of their fluttering flights and their dance of life. My connection to their energy becomes the muse, and once this is engaged, I am in the flow. I become a part of the ever expanding story of the colors, the butterflies, the cocoon, the bamboo, the raindrops and the art. I am in the dance and it is pure joy.

*Suggestions?

What do you think about a special sale on all of these products to celebrate the 30 day Social Media Club of South Florida’s blog challenge?   Let me know in the comments. I’m open to suggestions.

Perhaps a giveaway at the end of the 30 days?

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30 Day Blogging Challenge with Social Media Club South Florida starts today!

by | Oct 8, 2012 | ART, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, cortese design handbags, custom art & design, Devas, eco green, General optimism, interests, Miami, my garden, nature's energy

slides of emerging Zebra Longwing Butterfly and the males in waiting

 

Raindrops were glimmering through the morning fog and an odd looking creature was hanging from the bamboo leaves next to my driveway. As my family and friends know, I can never resist a closer look at something that moves, makes a sound or has an unusual shadow, shape, or smell.

The “creature” turned out to be three Zebra Long Wing Butterflies. Two males, sexually aroused and not so patiently, waiting for the young female to emerge from her cocoon. I originally thought they were either dining on some other unknown creature or assisting the young lady in unfurling her wings, but further research* suggested that mating with a newly emerged female is part of the dance of life for these butterflies. The female releases a pheromone as she is unfurling her virgin wings and the males have excellent pheromone sensors. This also made sense as to why so many other males were fluttering around the same branch practically knocking the perched males off the bamboo branch.

Of course, since today was the first day of Social Media Club South Florida’s 30 day blog challenge…
this would be my topic – with images and oh yes, even a new design based on the Zebra butterflies. Well, about 7 hours later (I did accomplish other things in this time and realize it is essential to pare this way down for future posts, but as often happens, the project took on a life of its own) I’m finally putting all of the pieces together and getting this on my blog!

I invite you to share the beauty, power and magic of your garden or neighborhood in a comment with a photo on this post, or by email to debra (at) debracortese.com

Enjoy the beauty, power and magic of nature every day!
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*Susan Leach Snyder has provided a great resource on Zebra Long Wing Butterflies (the official Florida state butterfly) on the Conservancy of Southwest Florida website.

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