CHRYSALIS DREAMS
Chrysalis Dreams was inspired by how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly through the process of Pupation and Eclosion, something we’ve all studied in childhood and I continue to find fascinating and mysterious. Essentially, the caterpillar zips itself up into a sleeping bag made of its own skin, turns to soup, and comes out a butterfly.
During the past two and half years of Covid, I found the isolation and confinement during the lockdown very similar to the pupation stage of the larva where the caterpillar transforms into a new being.
As I did more research, I found the most fascinating part is how the “imaginal cells” (secret collection of cells that actually form the butterfly) remain hidden and dormant during all the days of the caterpillar. They are only triggered into development in the cocoon stage.
As pupation begins and the larval body breaks down into fluid, the imaginal discs begin to undergo rapid development, telescoping outward to form the longer legs, wings, antennae, mouthparts, and other complex adult body structures.
I’m not sure how the caterpillar feels about the metamorphosis process. Most likely it doesn’t “feel” any emotions like a human would, but there’s a lot going on for the little creature. At the cocoon stage, even though it looks all quiet, there is a revolution happening inside. The larva has to destroy its former and immature self and grows into a completely new form of creature.
I feel the cocoon stage of confinement and isolation, the souping stage of destruction and rebirth are vivid metaphors for our personal metamorphosis. A poet once said the confronted despair of the caterpillar is the beginning of a delightful journey of the butterfly. Without the cocoon, the confinement and the isolation, the imaginal cells of the butterfly won’t have the opportunity to break forth and develop and emerge into its true mature form. This process “Eclosion” is often disoriented, painful, and requires great courage. But the outcome is destined and glorious.
I chose to paint a woman emerging from the water in this painting to represent our soul that is transformed and awakens to a new life. The Lush thick green and peaceful water represent that the rebirth happens in a sheltered and safe place. And our soul needs to remain soft like the wings of the butterfly so they can unfurl out of the cocoon into the wind and dance in their true beauty.
76 x 61 CM (30 x 24 IN)
Oil on Canvas
NZ$2,000
All prices in New Zealand Dollars
2022
Chrysalis Dreams was inspired by how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly through the process of Pupation and Eclosion, something we’ve all studied in childhood and I continue to find fascinating and mysterious. Essentially, the caterpillar zips itself up into a sleeping bag made of its own skin, turns to soup, and comes out a butterfly.
During the past two and half years of Covid, I found the isolation and confinement during the lockdown very similar to the pupation stage of the larva where the caterpillar transforms into a new being.
As I did more research, I found the most fascinating part is how the “imaginal cells” (secret collection of cells that actually form the butterfly) remain hidden and dormant during all the days of the caterpillar. They are only triggered into development in the cocoon stage.
As pupation begins and the larval body breaks down into fluid, the imaginal discs begin to undergo rapid development, telescoping outward to form the longer legs, wings, antennae, mouthparts, and other complex adult body structures.
I’m not sure how the caterpillar feels about the metamorphosis process. Most likely it doesn’t “feel” any emotions like a human would, but there’s a lot going on for the little creature. At the cocoon stage, even though it looks all quiet, there is a revolution happening inside. The larva has to destroy its former and immature self and grows into a completely new form of creature.
I feel the cocoon stage of confinement and isolation, the souping stage of destruction and rebirth are vivid metaphors for our personal metamorphosis. A poet once said the confronted despair of the caterpillar is the beginning of a delightful journey of the butterfly. Without the cocoon, the confinement and the isolation, the imaginal cells of the butterfly won’t have the opportunity to break forth and develop and emerge into its true mature form. This process “Eclosion” is often disoriented, painful, and requires great courage. But the outcome is destined and glorious.
I chose to paint a woman emerging from the water in this painting to represent our soul that is transformed and awakens to a new life. The Lush thick green and peaceful water represent that the rebirth happens in a sheltered and safe place. And our soul needs to remain soft like the wings of the butterfly so they can unfurl out of the cocoon into the wind and dance in their true beauty.
76 x 61 CM (30 x 24 IN)
Oil on Canvas
NZ$2,000
All prices in New Zealand Dollars
2022
Chrysalis Dreams was inspired by how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly through the process of Pupation and Eclosion, something we’ve all studied in childhood and I continue to find fascinating and mysterious. Essentially, the caterpillar zips itself up into a sleeping bag made of its own skin, turns to soup, and comes out a butterfly.
During the past two and half years of Covid, I found the isolation and confinement during the lockdown very similar to the pupation stage of the larva where the caterpillar transforms into a new being.
As I did more research, I found the most fascinating part is how the “imaginal cells” (secret collection of cells that actually form the butterfly) remain hidden and dormant during all the days of the caterpillar. They are only triggered into development in the cocoon stage.
As pupation begins and the larval body breaks down into fluid, the imaginal discs begin to undergo rapid development, telescoping outward to form the longer legs, wings, antennae, mouthparts, and other complex adult body structures.
I’m not sure how the caterpillar feels about the metamorphosis process. Most likely it doesn’t “feel” any emotions like a human would, but there’s a lot going on for the little creature. At the cocoon stage, even though it looks all quiet, there is a revolution happening inside. The larva has to destroy its former and immature self and grows into a completely new form of creature.
I feel the cocoon stage of confinement and isolation, the souping stage of destruction and rebirth are vivid metaphors for our personal metamorphosis. A poet once said the confronted despair of the caterpillar is the beginning of a delightful journey of the butterfly. Without the cocoon, the confinement and the isolation, the imaginal cells of the butterfly won’t have the opportunity to break forth and develop and emerge into its true mature form. This process “Eclosion” is often disoriented, painful, and requires great courage. But the outcome is destined and glorious.
I chose to paint a woman emerging from the water in this painting to represent our soul that is transformed and awakens to a new life. The Lush thick green and peaceful water represent that the rebirth happens in a sheltered and safe place. And our soul needs to remain soft like the wings of the butterfly so they can unfurl out of the cocoon into the wind and dance in their true beauty.
76 x 61 CM (30 x 24 IN)
Oil on Canvas
NZ$2,000
All prices in New Zealand Dollars
2022