Butterfly & Bird Portfolio

Madrone tree, Northern California, Sonoma County
Spotted Towhee Painting
Acorn Woodpecker Encaustic Wax Painting
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Grey Hairstreak Butterfly
Monarch Sanctuary
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly
Painted Lady on Red Zinnia
Painted Lady Butterfly
Acmon Blue Butterfly
Buckeye Butterfly on Yarrow
Perserverant Buckeye Butterfly
SOLD Spotted Towhee
Acorn Woodpecker
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
 
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Grey Hairstreak Butterfly
Monarch Sanctuary
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly
Painted Lady on Red Zinnia
Painted Lady Butterfly
Acmon Blue Butterfly
Buckeye Butterfly on Yarrow
Perserverant Buckeye Butterfly
<span style="font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;color:#f2c858;background-color:#50564c;padding:1px 5px 1px; 5px;">SOLD</span> Spotted Towhee
Acorn Woodpecker
previous arrow
next arrow

It all started about 5 or 6 years ago when I planted some zinnia flower starts and then waited for bees and butterflies. But few showed up. Looking into it, I discovered those were hybrid zinnias. The seeds are not viable so the nectar is not attractive. I fixed that the following year by planting heritage seeds. I was awarded with common buckeyes, painted ladies, swallowtails and lots of different skippers. Plus, many species of bees and lots of hummingbirds. I have a large garden of heritage and native flowers now.

I try to be a regular visitor to Hallberg Butterfly Gardens in Graton, CA. That woman’s efforts saved the beautiful pipevine swallowtail. But her gardens spoiled me. In her small acreage butterflies can come and go as they please. I discovered I like that so much more than the butterfly zoos I’ve visited.

When I visited Florida a couple years ago, many different species were flying past the house we rented. I discovered that a few houses away a woman had planted a small garden of butterfly-attractive plants. I was so impressed with how many butterflies came by.

Now, on a still, sunny day, I just sit next to some beautiful heritage flowers and wait for whatever shows up so I can snap some pictures. Those pictures are the basis of most of these paintings. – Donna

Contact Donna
707-328-5281
Email Donna

    Your Name(required)

    Your Email(required)

    Your Phone

    Add to Donna's Email List

    Subject/Painting Title

    Your Message

    I send emails 3x each year to notify people about shows & new artwork. Email addresses and other personal info collected via this website or via sales are never sold or shared with others.

    See my
    Privacy Policy
    for more info.