This is a vertical image of my painting Transformation (Metamorphosis). The sole reason for changing the orientation of this piece was to meet the size requirement to enter the 2019 West Michigan Area Show. Rearranging each piece was a transformation in itself, as I witnessed a beautiful butterfly emerge. I was immediately reminded of the blue and black butterfly known as the Black Swallowtail, which is a female butterfly. According to an article, “Meaning of Blue and Black Butterfly,” published by Gardens with Wings “blue and black butterflies are often seen as symbols of transformation, change, and new beginnings. Although in some cultures, blue and black butterflies are associated with death and mourning; in other cultures, these butterflies symbolize rebirth and hope.” This version of Transformation (Metamorphosis) embodies the characteristics of being transformed and renewed.
If you shift your focus to the negative space in center of the two paintings, you may begin to either see the body of the butterfly, a cocoon, or both. This reference is an example of the Gestalt Principle of Design: Closure, where information is missing but the viewer’s brain will fill in the missing parts to complete the shape.
