The first flash of imagery for this painting was a large green chrysalis hanging from an oak branch in the darkness of my parlour. It obviously belonged to the Transformation series. “So what?” I asked as I captured it in my notebook.
The pillars of flames came days later, with burnt ivy leaves floating in the thermal waves. I drew that without context as well and went about my life. After spending a few days sketching bunnies and kittens—yes, really—I got up to get an eraser and felt the impact of a chest bump.
The large, blue, headless figure was in my personal space, so close I could feel the moisture from its sweat. This is the stuff for which medication is prescribed, but that would make it stop.
If you follow me on IG, you saw most of the very public process that occurred once the sketch for Cooking the Chrysalis was complete. The residency during which I applied the underpainting, the wash outside the gallery in Old Town, and the reel in which I explained how my process is a reflection of life—THAT cooked my chrysalis.
The thing is, butterflies transform once and they’re done. I’ve got a long lifetime of reveals ahead of me. Geez, I wonder what's next.
The Key to the Iconography of Cooking the Chrysalis
Headless Blue Figure: Similar to the Blue Tara of Tibetan Buddhism, representing the wrathful, uncompromising side of enlightened compassion. It uses fierce energy to conquer fear and turn dark emotions into wisdom.
Right Hand: Symbolic of willful action, it holds the chrysalis apart from the body, dismantling the persona that interferes with change.
Prithvi Mudra: In Ayurvedic healing, the ring finger represents the earth element and the thumb represents fire. Performing this mudra with the left hand is believed to bring stability.
Monarch Chrysalis: Profound inner transformation brought on by stillness. Monarchs have an unusually long life and are symbolic here of lasting change.
Pillars and Arch: The sacred space created by the application of will toward the goal of inner knowledge.
Flames: The pressure created when we are forced to reach beyond what is comfortable.
Ivy: Resilience and eternal life.
You can read the story that this painting revealed to me HERE.
