The butterfly from Majbritte Ulrikkeholm!

(Recently finished painting: “Walking with care”)

The danish author, singer and songwriter Majbritte Ulrikkeholm recently posted a beautyful, soulwarming story about the butterfly and the creative process. Her writing has inspired me so much over the years, this was no exeption. I actually had tears in my eyes when reading it, because, well, she totally gets the fragile moment in any artists life, AND, she can explain it so poetic. She agreed I could share part of it with you here. Read it, it holds a good surprise:

“The creative process can be compared with the butterfly process from egg to caterpillar to full grown butterfly. And we can really learn from the butterfly….

…The butterfly starts as a tiny egg that later develops into a caterpillar, whose primary task is to munch as much food as it possibly can. When the caterpillar is filled up, it spins its cocoon from its own silk threads, and inside that cocoon it develops into a butterfly. At the time when the butterfly is ready, it breaks through its cocoon.

BUT what many don´t know – because this in itself is already such a pretty picture – is that the butterfly actually can´t fly when it emerges from the cocoon. As beautiful as it is, as grown and expanded as it is, there exists a moment in the butterfly´s life when it is fully grown, bursted through its cocoon, but it still cannot fly. Beautiful and fragile it lies on the ground and pumps body fluid into its wings. And this is the most vulnerable moment in the butterfly’s life, and here it is an easy prey for larger animals that can attack the defenseless beautiful insect in many colors, which calls for attention.

But if the butterfly survives this moment, it becomes a flyer. It rises high above it´s attackers and brings joy to people’s lives. For there is probably no human who doesn´t rejoice and feel an opening in the heart at the sight of theese light beings that remind us that everything one day will rise above limitations and fears -transformed from sheltered caterpillar to beautiful mature butterfly.”

(Majbritte Ulrikkeholm)

You can find her full Butterfly story here (english speaking? Throw it in google translate, it´s worth it!)

 

EXHIBITION COMING SATURDAY….

Oh, and if you live nearby here in Denmark, I am represented with around 10 paintings in an exhibition starting saturday 17th march in Galleri Warrer in Møn, read more here. Perhaps I´ll see you there saturday, I would really love that!

Opening night

Here´s a few shots from the opening night of my exhibition in Havdrup last week.  It was such a heart-warming experience. Kind people, wonderful dialogs, and a soft, intimate feeling. I truly enjoyed it. And the fact that my husband was able to be there (and that some great people took care of the children!) made it even more special. He is the photographer, so no shots of him this time.

Row of  30 x 40 cm paintings

Chatting with people, it´s me in the dress

I had produced lots of cards and posters to sell too, and as you can see they were displayed on all the tables, great idea by the way. A clever lady suggested that they were on every table rather than in a basket, half hidden. That way, peoople could sit with the cards in hand, either planning to buy or just looking at the close up pictures of the paintings.

Always fun to see the paintings in a new “home”

Theese two was painted in the Do What You Love– retreat in may, in class with Flora Bowley

Peter (organ-player, now at the piano) and I sang 6 songs, collected for their soul-warming ability.

….and I told a bit about the painting process.

And then the wine, the chats and the softness of being amongst friendly, supporting people.

I drove home completely filled with gratitude. For life. For the sheer joy of doing much more of what I love to do this last year. For all the support I have felt since I started painting again, last february. It feels like such a long time ago. Now I can´t imagine that for years and years I lived without taking the time and effort to express myself through painting on canvas. I can´t believe it took me so long to have my first solo exhibition.

But somehow time doesn´t seem to matter, whenever there is true passion involved. Life don´t punish us for not doing what we love. It doesn´t take the passion or talents or gifts away from us. Instead it  instantly supports us when we do use them. We may neglect them, but they are still there, waiting.  And it doesn´t matter at what point in life we are, when we take up our passion. Just the fact of doing what you love to do whenever you can, is what seems to matter.

And I am so grateful for having found a way to do more and more of what I love to do, and drive to share it, and sell it!  And for having a husband that supports me in doing that. And for friends that understand this journey, and who are also finding space for passion in their lives, following their dreams and finding the integrity in that.

first vernissage and a lucky candle

Yesterday I had my first real vernissage. I had exhibitions before, but never with a real opening with bubbly wine and snacks and cake. So I got to talk about my pictures and creative process. And I sang a song I wrote about how inspiration can jump into you when you see something that speaks to your heart. That is what happened to me just before starting to paint again. Maybe I will tell that story here one day.

It felt like a treat to have the space and time to share it, and I got a bit carried away and spoke longer than planned. I guess I was allowed since it was first time. There should be a learning curve to everything…

So thankful for this whole experience. It felt like a key step in some ways.

This weekend I was invited to the neighbours house for cake together with Vincent (our son, 5 years old). Wanted to bring something small and nice. Decorated a candle in such a simple way, totally enjoyable.

I used: 2 kinds of gift-wrapping-band, glue and 3 felt-butterflies.

Celeste (our 8 year old daughter) also loves to make things. She made me, with help from a skilled crafter at school, the little wonderful pen-holder. I put it onto use immediately.

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