Although we do have sitings of these beautiful butterflies in the UK, I haven’t seen one in this country, but this painting reflects a special memory for me, seeing them on my last trip to Cyprus, also my families birth place. 'Swallowtail & Hibiscus' celebrates some of the sights and colours captured in my memory and heart. Hibiscus, oleander and jasmine grow abundantly in Cyprus and Mediterranean. Looking deeper you may just notice the abstract echoes of some Greek graffiti and urban texture I captured while walking through the old town of Limassol, also reflective of some of the islands troubled past.
The swallowtail is a digital painting from my own specimen, digitally collaged with my own collection of urban texture and vintage flora.
The butterfly is hand glazed with varnish and I added diamond dust to add some magic and to capture the magic I feel when I saw these dancing in the Mediterranean evening sun.