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Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar; #2 In a Series of Four
 by artist Nan Wilson
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| Click to enlarge image(s) |
MONARCH BUTTERFLY (Danaus plexippus) The largest and most spectacular of the world’s migratory butterflies (wingspan of 3-4 inches) is known for its strong, soaring flight. A tropical butterfly, unable to withstand intense cold, it has adapted itself to fly north to find the milkweed plant on which it must lay its eggs. As dry winters in Mexico killed off the milkweed, the plant adapted itself to colder temperatures and spread north. The Monarch Butterfly followed and so became a migratory species. Much about the Monarch remains a mystery, however it is known that in September, the migratory adults fly south from as far north as Canada, gathering in numbers as they travel, resulting in large swarms. They fly by day, resting by the thousands on trees at night, the same trees every year, season after season. Each year the eastern Monarchs’ destination is the same forest grove in Cerro Pelon, Mexico where their predecessors settled the year before After wintering down south, as the weather warms, the Monarch comes out of its semi-dormant state, mates, then flies north, not even stopping for food. It has a limited lifespan after mating and must travel swiftly to lay its many eggs on the milkweed plants along the way. In the round trip the female may fly up to 4,000 miles and lay some 600 eggs.
About the artist, Nan Wilson:
Nan is a graduate of Syracuse Universities School of Fine Arts. Along the way, she continued her art education at the Rochester Institute of Technology, as well as at Atelier XVII and the Parsons School, the latter both in Paris. In her work she is encouraged and supported by her two daughters and husband. One daughter is a professional fine artist in her own right, the other, in higher education, whose critical eye has often proved invaluable. As for her husband, he has fallen into the role of her 'Artistic Support Specialist' — working for the prestige of the title, but a tad sheepish about its acronym.
Each print made individually, one-by-one.
Created with durable, oil pigmented inks on archival papers. Shipped with a label for the reverse side of the print (once framed) offering information about the subject matter.
See Also
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