Day 128 ~ Princess Leala

As I prepare to send my butterflies to the museum for the exhibit, I knew I couldn't do it without including a butterfly of the lovely Leala, Princess of the Manila Dunes! Leala is wearing a dress designed by famous 5 year old designer: Nyla! (The red carpet paparazzi go wild!)

Day 127 ~ Maya

Today's butterfly is dedicated to my favorite poet, teacher, and all-around phenomenal woman:
Dr. May Angelou. Here's her poem that changed my life:

PHENOMENAL WOMAN

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

they think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

the swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much,

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

they say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing,

I ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

the bend of my hair,

The palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomeanal woman,

That's me.

~Maya Angelou

Day 126 ~ Happy Earth Day!

Day 125 ~ Wishes and Dreams

I made this butterfly to go with an article I am writing for "Journal Journeys," an online membership zine for Artellaland. The article is called "Wishes and Dreams Come True on the Boardwalk." I made this butterfly with gold leaf and copper edges, and with a mirror in the center. I wanted to make something that was beautiful and lasting, because I wrote my dearest wish on the back. It's meant to be a reminder, to keep me plugging along in the direction of my dreams. It's small enough to carry with me, and the mirror helps me to look myself in the eye and believe that my wishes and dreams will come true.
I had a little "wishual" (wish ritual) to bless my special butterfly and my wish. I lit candles, said prayers and had yummy ginger-lemon-mint tea and biscotti. My childlike faith has been renewed. ;)

Day 124 ~ I am the Eggman

CooCooKaChoo!
Still on my Chagall kick...
Chagall used lots of chickens and donkeys in his work. He grew up in a small rural village in Russia, and farm animals were around, so that was what he painted. He also loved the circus, and often combined images he liked together in dream-like compositions that made sense only to him.
A clock hangs from the chicken's arm and I'm not sure what it means. Perhaps it's a commentary on just how short life is, and to "gather ye rosebuds while ye may."

Day 123 ~ Love Flies

As you can see, I am studying Marc Chagall this week. He was so hopeful and romantic, and since I am feeling the opposite these days, it's been good for me to study Chagall and his beautiful work. He had such a great attitude, one which I would like to adopt for myself. I love this quote:
"I'm not pessimistic because my motto has always been to look for love. Love is all that interests me, and I'm never in contact with things that don't revolve around love. So, I am never pessimistic." ~Marc Chagall

Day 122 ~ Cat Chagall