DAY 2: SPREADING MY WINGS

Welcome to Day 2!

Let’s continue celebrating your commitment of ‘spreading your wings’ by painting a butterfly.

I painted this butterfly more than a decade ago as a way to honor my own expansion. It was painted in the style of a pencil drawing and later found a home through one of my playful online auctions.

Whenever I see a butterfly, I’m reminded that growth doesn’t have to be forced. As you paint today, imagine you’re tapping into the ease and joy of the butterfly. The way it extends its wings and delightfully flies with such ease and joy.

The Painting Practice

Remember to turn off your phone notifications before you start.

  1. Draw a square on your paper. This will be the size of your painting.
  2. While looking at your reference photo as your inspiration, do a simple outline of the butterfly on your paper. Just a rough sketch will do.
    • Start with the outline of the left wing.
    • Then the body of the butterfly.
    • Now move on to the right wing.
    • Add any embellishments (lines) on the wings and body.
    • Add the tentacles.
  3. Choose your colors: I was inspired to paint this as if it was a pencil drawing. I encourage you to fill this adorable butterfly with all the colors you like instead. Remember how gorgeously unrealistic some butterfly wings are? Just go for it. Add polka dots if you like.
  4. Grab some water and your brushes, and don’t forget a towel to clean off your wet brush. Clean your brush between new blends or switching colors. Add some darker colors to create depth and add white or lighter colors for some added shine
  5. Now, set a gentle timer* and paint for 20 minutes for some meditative joy and playful painting. Let’s have some fun.
  6. Don’t forget to sign your art work. Claim your creativity and honor your journey of showing up for yourself.

*If setting a timer is making you feel stressed, don’t set one. The 20 minutes is a way to focus on play, not creating a finished piece. The goal is to tap into creative joy for a few minutes that is doable for everyone at any skill level. If you feel called to continue painting past 20 minutes, please do so.

Celebrate Your Progress:

Take a photo of today’s painting and share it with your community. I’d love to celebrate your progress with you.

As you share, I’d love to hear:

  • How did painting this butterfly make you feel?
  • What colors did you choose, and why?
  • What does “spreading your wings” mean to you right now?

Remember, creativity grows every time you choose to show up. And today, you did.