This post and painting is dedicated to my beloved friend and artist companion, Sharon, who was taken away too early in life today, 07-26-2010. She always encouraged me in my art adventures and was one of my best cheerleaders.
Sharon also had incredible talent in art but had trouble finding time to settle down and paint. You may remember last December when I issued a ticket to a friend who was not practicing. That was Sharon and we had a good laugh. She did serve her ticket by the way, she came over and we painted and had lunch together. I will cherish those memories forever.
Sharon was the friend from work who brough me autumn leaves from her neighbor’s tree because she knew that I am insane for autumn and love colored leaves. She always put others before herself and constantly thought of ways to make their life better. I will miss her unending optimistic character and bubbly personality. Working 9 hours a day together, we became family, seeing each other more that we saw our own families at home. We had no idea she was sick until it was too late.
I take comfort in knowing she is in heaven and is seeing colors that we have never seen and cannot even describe. I hope she is using them in her paintings…I can’t wait to see them. [tears]
So, let’s never slow down with our talents and keep on painting and learn how to paint the question mark butterfly…
Here is our reference photo, a question mark butterfly at Papoose Lake in May 2010. How can you tell a question mark butterfly from a comma butterfly? Look at the right wing near the top, there is a marking that looks like a little dash – that’s a question mark marking. The comma does not have this mark.
Step 1: Make a sketch. I am using pencil on cold press watercolor paper.
Step 2: Mask out a thin outline at the tip of the wings using masking fluid, let dry. Paint the top half of the butterfly cad. yellow, the middle light red, and the bottom sepia. I let the colors touch and blend together, that’s OK. Let dry.
Step 3: Paint the body using sap green and a tiny bit of the light red mixture so that the green is not too saturated.
Step 4: When every thing is dry paint spots using sepia and maybe a touch of red. Don’t worry about being perfect with your spots.
Step 5: Continue to make more spots and cover thicker portions of the lower wings with sepia.
Step 6: Wet the background and paint a free splotchy background. I chose different shades of purple by mixing alizarin and cobalt. Purple represents passion and I thought it was fitting for the theme.
Step 7 Final: When everything is dry, remove the masking fluid from around the wings and clean the edges by using a clean wet brush. Outline with micron pen if you choose.
“Sharon, Be Free”
6×4
watercolor
The original painting is a gift to Sharon’s sister. Her sister who has incredible sorrow also has incredible medical dept as Sharon did not have health insurance.
High quality, acid free prints of this painting is available on Fine Art America. 100% of the proceeds made from this print will forever go to Sharon’s sister to help pay for medical expenses.
Thank you.
Let's Paint Nature! 
So sorry to hear about your loss Chris.
My prayers go out to you and her family.
A BEAUTIFUL butterfly Chris, a
Beautiful Tribute.
I like to think of all humanity as “angels with amnesia”. Your friend, Sharon, has arrived back HOME and I’m sure she remembers who she really is now – her Love will remain with you and her Love was the most important part of her, as it is for all of us. May we all try to remember how we arrived here and why we were created — to Love one another and know the Essence of God, as Sharon did.
Carol: Thank you very much.
Alanna: This is really comforting to me, I thank you very much.
So sorry about your loss, Christine. Lovely painting – and wonderful meaning behind it…a butterfly is symbolic of the resurrection…
Ruth: Thank you very much, it means a lot.
Hello Christine,
What a very beautiful tribute to your friend. I love what Allana shared with you.
May your memories bring you comfort.
In One of The Stars …..
xo xo
Debra
Debra, thank you so much! That was beautiful and brought a smile to my face 😀
You are very kind!
Chris
Christine,
I really was touched to my heart by this post and I went to your
link above and ordered some ‘Sharon Be Free’ cards.
I had never seen that site, Fine Art America site. VERY cool.
I’m not sure if you have ever heard of Pinterest, but it’s a place
to save graphics. As the graphics are posted at Pinterest, they link back
to the original site where they are on the web.
I came to your site hunting for watercolor paintings. I have a board there named… Learn Watercolor. Trying to nudge folks to start painting. LOL
I lost a dear friend Cindy, 10 years ago last month. She was a childhood friend and passed at the age of 42. I can certainly understand
your pain.
XO XO
Debra
Debra!
Thank you! Fine Art America does not give me any personal info, so I knew the cards were ordered but could not tell who ordered them. All of the money made from the cards will be sent to Sharon’s sister in Sharon’s memory. Thank you!!!! I love being able to do that….it’s such a GOOD feeling!
Also, I have never heard of that site, but will look at it, sounds neat. Thanks for sharing. I too think if people played around more with art, they would be happier people.
I am so sorry about your friend Cindy. Hold on to those memories and when you miss her, think of a funny time you had together. That helps me out alot. We will never let go of our memories…they are a gift from God!
Take care,
Chris
Hey Chris,
The ‘Sharon Be Free’ cards arrived today. They are
Stunning and Ohhhh so beautiful. !!!!
Love that they are blank inside as I can use them
for an occasion. !!!!
Reasonable price and awesome knowing it’s going
for a good cause.
LINK to greeting cards.
http://fineartamerica.com/products/sharon-be-free-christine-kane-greeting-card.html
XO XO
Debra
Debra, I’m so glad you enjoy them!!! Sharon’s sister is thrilled too, I just spoke with her!!! I have some cards myself and was very pleased at the quality. Thanks again!
Right away I am going to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming again to read further news.
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