Butterfly Art

How Shadow Box Art is Created

	The following photos are from a commission for a wall composition. The first step is to prepare the butterflies for the composition. They initially come dried and folded in seperate packages. They must be re-hydrated to use them.

	After the butterflies are rehydrated their wings are very carefully opened. Then their wings, antennae, and bodies are arranged and pinned to dry.

	The butterflies are unpinned after they are dry and are ready to be used in artwork.

	This was to be a large 8' x 4' piece. So the shadow boxes are arranged to suit on work tables.

	Next the backgrounds are cut and put in place. The main pattern consisted of Dogwood blossoms, so they are arranged first.

	Next, the leaves are arranged in the frames. These were placed in press for 6-8 weeks after picking and then coated with resin to prevent their color from fading.

	Text is then added to identify each butterfly and is country of origin. The leaves and butterflies are then glued in place.

	The next step is the most tedious. The background paints must coordinate with the flowers, leaves and butterflies so that all are color complemented. This is accomplished by sponging on the paint while looking through the arrangement of the other elements for each frame.

	The final arrangement is now assembled.

	After completing the assembly of all the items in the shadow boxes, a full scale template is made to assist in marking the hangers for final assembly.