My paintings explore feelings and relationships through still life. I use rich color and enlarge my subjects to many times their actual size so the paintings seem even more real than they are in life.


Butterflies represent a theme of transformation that started with an earlier painting I created called “Chrysalis”.  It reminded me of the shape and form of butterflies’ wings and gave birth to this new series.  As the paintings progressed, I discovered that the colors and patterns in their wings contrast the daily objects of my life including electrical wires from a fluorescent light and even my living room couch. I use altered angles and perspectives to create a sense of movement and energy in each piece. My goal is to invite my viewers to see reality in a different and unexpected way.

DO YOU PAINT FROM LIVE BUTTERFLIES?

ARTIST STATEMENT

© 2011 Sarah Canfield

The critters in the latest paintings are done from specimens that I order online from a wonderful business called www.butterfliesandthings.com headed by Connie Hurt, affectionately called, “the butterfly lady”, in Ohio. There, butterflies from all over the world can be found and are sent to me wrapped in wax paper with their wings closed. I put them in a moist “relaxing chamber”, delicately spread their wings with tweezers, let them dry and, voila, a gorgeous main character for a painting. 


The latest oil, titled Lightning, was created from the species called O priamus Poseidon with lightning, a native of Indonesia. The stunning green color looks remarkably like the color of a thunderbolt. Once my electric green friend was prepared I played around with different environments where I could place him. Eventually I decided to bring him “home” so to speak and position him in the backdrop of my home, inspired by the idea of the ordinary and extraordinary meeting right in my living room. After taking numerous photographs of the setup I collaged together two of the photos and had a dazzling reference to paint from. Through the process of painting I could bring the butterfly new life.