Fantastic Video by Ba Rae

I love the internet! I have been using Facebook and Twitter and have found so many fabulous groups that are butterfly fans! Here is a list of those groups that I think you will enjoy:

http://www.facebook.com/theloveofbutterflies
http://www.facebook.com/ShadyOakButterflyFarm
http://www.facebook.com/ButterflyPavilion
http://www.facebook.com/butterflynature
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greathouse-Butterfly-Farm/119110954790042
http://www.facebook.com/groups/303259184298/

Here is a fantastic video that shows the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly. It describes the entire process from egg to adult.



This was made by Ba Rae and you can find more about her on her facebook page at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bas-Relief-LLC/190049684378053

"Like" Mother Monarch on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter!

Common Buckeye Butterfly

Common Buckeye (Junonia coeni)

Insect art to promote insect growth and development.

Named for it distinctive eye spots on its wings, the Common Buckeye has a wingspan of 2 - 2.5 inches.  The Buckeye prefers open, sunny areas with some bare ground and low vegetation. It is shown here
with Common Lantana (Lantana camara). During the day males perch to watch for females, flying periodically to chase other flying insects. Females lay eggs singly on the topside of host plant leaves upon which the caterpillar feeds (Depicted here is the Common Broad-leaved Plaintain (Plantago major).The Buckeye is found throughout the southern United States and north along the coasts. Although the Buckeye flies in summer throughout much of North, it is not able to overwinter very far north. In the autumn along the East Coast, there are impressive southward migrations. In places such as Cape May, New Jersey, the October hordes of Buckeyes drifting southward rival those of Monarchs in number and spectacle.

Artist:  Douglas Nieters  
E-mail address:  doug.nieters@credit-suisse.com
Website: http://www.dougnieters.com

Leonard's Skipper

Leonard’s Skipper
Insect art to promote insect growth and development.
 

Leonard’s Skipper (Hesperia leonardis), found in southern Canada and most of the eastern United States, is identified by the sharply defined white to yellow spots on the hind wing. The yellow felt inside the male’s stigma is also distinctive. A member of the Skipper (Hesperiidae) family, this is the only single brooded, fall-flying, resident butterfly in New England.


Its host plants are perennial grasses including Switch Grass, (Panicum virgatum) and Little Bluestem, (Schizachyrium scoparium). Eggs are laid singly on or near the host. Caterpillars feed on leaves and live in shelters of tied leaves. First-stage caterpillars hibernate.


After emergence in August, males patrol nectar-producing plants where females are likely to appear. Favorite nectar plants are pink to blue late season composites including New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), Blazing Star (Liatris punctata), and Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum). Aster novae-angliae, 'Purple Dome' Aster is depicted here. Its bloom time coincides with Leonard’s Skipper’s flight.

Artist: Susan Brand

Susan Brand has an upcoming exhibit of her work.  

Flora, Fauna, Feathers with Joy Yagid and Tricia Zimic

April 17 - May 16, 2010
1978 Arts Center
1978 Springfield Ave.
Maplewood, NJ
Artists' Reception:
Sunday, April 25th, 2-5pm
To find out more about her art and  exhibit:

http://www.susanbrand.com         E-mail address: Susan@susanbrand.com

Mother Monarch available March 9, 2010

$19.95 + $4.95 shipping

Mother Monarch is my new book from Schiffer Publishing. About 2 years ago I attended a conference for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I had several ideas for books, but no publisher. I went to the conference to see if there was any possible way that I might get into the industry. It was a great conference and I came away with lots of useful information. I needed to find a publisher but I was nervous, not because I didn't think I'd find one ( although that thought did cross my mind) I was afraid that I would loose control. I was afraid that the publisher, editor and designer would take my book and it would become something that was not what I envisioned. I researched a lot of companies, looked at lots of children's books for subject matter, printing quality etc. I submitted proposals to a few places......... but no luck.

In 2008 I had been included in a book by Cora Marcus & Libby Kyer, Today's Botanical Artists, a Schiffer Book. The book highlights 65 artists and I was lucky enough to be included as well as make the back cover. I saw that Schiffer published children's books, so I sent them a proposal and viola! ..... I got my first book contract. 9 months after I submitted all the art and text I received my first copy of Mother Monarch. I couldn't be happier. The color and quality of the book is beautiful. The designer even made the text PURPLE. She didn't know it was my favorite color so it was a pleasant surprise. My fears of losing the creative control over my book is gone. Schiffer has done a fabulous job with the book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The book will be available on or about March 9, 2010.

If you are interested in purchasing the book go to the Buy the Book tab. There are some special goodies that go along with the purchase of this book that you can not get anywhere else! Check it out!