#198 – Distinguished

The monarch is an iconic butterfly species and easily recognized thanks to their regal colours and patterns. This monarch is feeding on the nectar of the goldenrod flower. Monarch butterflies are not only beautiful, they help indicate the health of our ecosystems. They also have an impressive migration pattern, travelling nearly 2000 miles between canada and mexico each winter. When they migrate they form groups called roosts or bivouacs, travelling by day to their new location. This piece uses quinacridone gold and ochre yellow to express the luminous nature of the butterfly’s wings, while the background and flower share sap green and yellow iron oxide pigments.