Metamorphosis
Oil Pastel and Acrylic on old wood with slight digital enhancements
Ophelia, puzzled by the radical transformation that had taken place overnight to this butterfly friend of hers, thought to herself, “She was in a white thread-like casing yesterday, how did all that happen so fast? There must be something magical about that case!”
This is inspired by a book Hope For The Flowers by Trina Paulus.
This is a cute and yet thought provoking story about two caterpillars who because they mistake the meaning of their urge to get high, get entangled climbing a horrible “caterpillar pillar”. And for two caterpillars, we all know, surrendering to the cocoon is the only way to finally fly. Hope For the Flowers is a book that celebrates HOPE.
My fave lines from the book is “How does one become a butterfly?” She asked pensively. “You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.” We are all meant to be as beautiful and free like the butterflies, that’s our destiny…as we free ourselves to be who we really are…and together with our innate talents,we bring hope to the world around us, bringing change inevitably around us :D
You can view and buy my other “Metamorphosis” creations from my Zazzle Gallery:
Metamorphosis belongs to the following groups:
Yellow Gallery, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Bits and Pieces , Childhood, Creative Inspirations - [2pw], Cutest of the Cute, Fantastic Primitive Art *NO PHOTOS!*, Fine Arts, Freedom to Shine, Kawaii Characters, Live, Love, Dream, Owl Artwork, Painted Animals! , Painted Birds! , Remodernist Painters' Group, Safe Haven, Singapore, The Birds, Tropical Art and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Kim Magee
beautiful
udonchow replied
Thank you so much Kim!! :D
CazzieCreations
Ellen I Love this one and the message!!!! Just Beautiful hun!!! ((huggles))
udonchow replied
So glad you love the message too, Cazzie! Many times we think we are just ugly looking caterpillars and we think we are going to remain like that for the rest of our lives and we envy others who are like buterflies….we failed to see that we all have the DNA in us to become butterflies ourselves, to succeed in life, to be brilliant in all that we are and do! :D
pinkyjain
So lovely Ellen. Such a wonderful and thoughtful story. i love this video by Ivy
udonchow replied
Thank you soooo much Pinky for sharing this video with me!! I just watched it and was so impressed and touched by the images….it’s just like the book “Hope For Flowers”...we are meant to fly and to shine….we have the DNA in us to be that :D
pinkyjain
Its one of my favorite videos, but i always cry when i watch it
Sensiworld
Just beautiful !
udonchow replied
Thank you so muchie Sylvia!!This butterfly will be flying to your beautiful flowers :D
Midori Furze
Wonderful work!!!
LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!!
: )))
udonchow replied
Thank you MIdori!! Change is good! Cheers to change! :D
Ujean1974
Ellen, the colors are amazingly beautiful first of all. The thoughtful eyes of Ophelia, calmly gazing at the butterfly, really seem to understand the true meaning of growing up. And her eyes look a bit sad too, and that tells me she even understands the fact that it’s inevitable for all of us to go through both happy & sad periods of life while we grow up. I bet she also knows we all can’t make our own life better without having hope. The painting is not only gorgeous & lovely but also carries beautiful philosophy. Really love this piece, dear Ellen!!!!
udonchow replied
Thank you so much for loving and appreicating this piece,Ujean!:D Ophelia has many thoughts and reflections after witnessing this miraculous sight from nature :D She understood that struggle is indeed necessary in life….just like the caterpillar which went through a period of obsurity(and very likely a serious case of identity and inferiority complex) and feelings of uncertainty and discomfort in the cocoon….but this whole process is necessary for the caterpillar to emerge victorious as a butterfly…Ophelia realised that sometimes we need we cannot shortcut the process, there’s a pricetag for everything we want in life :D
teegs
lovely!
udonchow replied
Thanks so much teegs!! Wishing you much freedom in flight towards your dreams :D
udonchow
Since we are on butterflies and metamorphosis, just want to share some other works here too! :D
I love this beautiful butterfly shot Here For You by my fellow bubbler friend Ozlem E :D Her gallery is like a garden full of fascinating surprises from nature :D
velveteagle
Such a cheerful lift your work is…
udonchow replied
Thank you Chuck, I hope it lifted you up!! :D
Karen Cook
Such a wonderful story, and fantastic colours! LOVE IT ELLEN!!! x
udonchow replied
Thanks Karen!! I love this book so much that I bought 30 books in one shot for my friends sometime back :D
eseffpe
awe this is gorgeous!!!
udonchow replied
Thanks eseffpe,happy to hear that!! Cheers to becoming all that we are meant to be, not wasting a drop of our potential :D
udonchow
See what I found! :D Nature’s Train Crash by Chuck
Isnt it amazing how radical the transformation is,from a hairy creepy crawlie to an awesome wing creature? No wonder it’s called Metamorphosis and only a few creatures on this earth qualify for it! Hope you enjoy this train crash pic and other beautiful pics from Chuck’s gallery:D
velveteagle
You did in so many ways.. I needed this today.. More than you can know.. Bless you for your kindness.. Chuck…
udonchow
This is Taking Flight by Karen Cook . Beautiful title and shot this is….and here’s wishing all of us renewed strength in taking flight to the direction of our dreams :D :D :D
Sensiworld
This butterfly is more than welcome to ’ my’ flowers Udonchow !!
valzart
Oh sweet Ellen you have excelled yourself writer with these beautiful flowing words…luv2Ophelia ;} hugzz
udonchow replied
Thanks Val!!:D (the top part’s by me, the bottom part is an extract from the book “Hope For Flowers”) Cheers!! :D
udonchow
Madame Butterfly by Val , enjoy this digital butterfly abstract and Val’s other delightful works in her gallery! Thanks to butterflies, without them, there will be fewer flowers in this world :D
Karin Taylor
What an amazing message of hope and truth!
painting to accompany the story!
and a
udonchow replied
THANK YOU KARIN! :D we all have the dna in us to become become butterflies :D It’s really an inspiring read!! :D
genevievem
your images are so captivating! another beautiful one!
udonchow replied
Thanks Gen, that’s very encouraging to hear!! :D :D :D
genevievem
they are lovely, you are so clever!
udonchow replied
Appreciate that, Gen :D Enjoy your flight!! :D
coffeetea
the most sweet color combination in the world is : Pink and Yellow . Great job!
udonchow replied
Thanks so much Susan!! I love the colour combi too,hehe :D
Kelly Connolly
More amazing work by you…what else can I say!
udonchow replied
Don’t have to say anything Kelly, let me give you one big hug for your love and support!! :D
JuliaWright
Gorgeous work!!!!!
udonchow replied
Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm!:D
Adela Camille ...
Ophelia looks gorgeous in these blues! I love the grainy look that the wood gives it, and the different shades of green are lovely, and of course the pretty butterfly!
udonchow replied
Thanks Adela!!You never fail to put smiles on my face with your comments! May we all come out from our cocoons and begin our brilliant first flight! :D
macabrecat
Wow!!! Another favorite! I love the title of this one :) :) I thought I heard you mention once that your work is done on small canvas…are they done on ACEO (3.5×2.5” ) ?
udonchow replied
Thank you, I appreciate that enthusiam :D :D :D Most of them are on canvas or paper…but this one and “Love Is Lighting Up Somebody Else’s Darkest Moments” are done on old wood :D That’s why this one has a very textured look.
fixtape
Aww! Yet another excellent work! Your artist’s notes always add something to the piece.
udonchow replied
Thank you so much for reading,K! If I didnt write that…it’s just Ophelia looking like she’s spending a day in the garden :D
lily pang
lovely!
udonchow
Thanks so much Lily!! :D :D :D
frozenfa
lovely story, Ellen!! i love the excerpt.. is it a thick book? n_n”
i love the colors in this piece.. beautiful and bright sunlight.. Butterfly in the perfect shade of pink.. Lovely!!! =D
udonchow replied
Thank you Fa!!It is not thick at all…it has alot of illustrations and few words….great for both adults and kids alike :D I love the colors if this piece very much too…feel like buying for myself lor! Oh btw, I bought the Julie’s card liao, it went through, finally!! :D
frozenfa
and i forgot to mention!! i especially love the colors on Ophelia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD
frozenfa
oooH!!! you got it!! YAY! COngrats, babe!! =D
Paul Gibbons
Fantastic artwork, very well done.
udonchow replied
Thanks very much Paul!! :D
Tony Ryan
Very true words. It is so scary to give up our comfort zones however we must be prepared to lose control to ever truly find love.
udonchow replied
Thanks Tony!! I love how you out it :D
georgiegirl
This is such a beautiful painting :D Ophelia does pose so nicely!!! and what a sweet story too :D
udonchow replied
Thanks GG! :D I hope you managed to submit your homework and all is well with you :D
Tahnja
I love how bright and happy your work makes me feel. Wonderful use of colour in all your works
udonchow replied
Thanks so much Tahnja! It makes me happy that my work makes you happy, certainly adds colours to my day!! :D
Ellen
Beautiful and colorful done!
udonchow replied
Thanks Ellen, have a great flight to your dreams! :D
lurline
Lovely image and story! :)
udonchow replied
Thank you lurline, it’s really a inspirational book for oneself and make great gifts too :D
Stephen Thomas
Very cute! Well done!
udonchow replied
Thank you so much Stephen!! :D
valzart
Oh bye Ophelia..hope your having fun in Belgium… ;} hugzz
udonchow replied
I hope she has settled in fine in her new home and country…Thanks Val,many hugs!! :D
hilarydougill
such beautiful artwork, and glorious expression on Ophelia’s face, I do hope you are making these characters into a children’s story book. love and hugsxxx
udonchow replied
Thanks for your great words of encouragement, will certainly want to have them all compiled into a book too :D
stephaniek
You’re such a great artist my friend!! Ophelia looks fabulous!!!!
udonchow replied
Thank you so much for your generous compliments,I’m floating! ^ _ ^
Euan Thorburn
fabulous!!
udonchow replied
Thank you so much Euan!! ^ _ ^
Kristen Caldwell
this is sooooo great!!! love the meaning and story behind your drawing!!!!!
udonchow replied
Thank you very much Kristen! I enjoyed painting this one very much!! ^ _ ^
Waleska Luker
aww so adorable!
udonchow replied
Thank you so much WaleskaL! :D
bevanimage
So beautiful, Ellen, and congratulations to Ophelia and her friend on their RB homepage feature.
udonchow replied
Thank you very much, the feature was a pleasant surprise! ^ _ ^
Lori Walton
Congratulations Ellen on your Home Page feature!!!
udonchow replied
Thank you dear Lori, appreciate that!! ^ _ ^
Donna Adamski
WoooHooooo!!! Home page feature….way to go Ellen and Ophelia!! :) Hugzzz
udonchow replied
Hi Donna!!! Thanks so much for that and for stopping by, I’ve got lots to catch up! :D
shanghaiwu
BRILLIANT on REDBUBBLE HOMEPAGE
udonchow replied
Thanks for your compliments, shanghaiwu, appreciate that!! ^ _ ^
layveena
aww! he’s so cute! greate job getting on the homepage! :D
udonchow replied
hehe! Thanks very much Layveena! It’s a she, her name is Ophelia ^ _ ^
DwCCreations
I SEE YOU on REDBUBBLE HOME PAGE! WAHOOIE! Great work! Congratulations Ellen and Ophelia! xoxox
udonchow replied
It was a pleasant surprise :D Thank you so much for stopping by!! :D
Chris Brett
Awesome!
udonchow replied
Thank you very much Chris!! :D
CazzieCreations
Yippeeee Well Done Ophelia and Ellen on making home page!!!! woohoooooo xxoxooxxoxoxo
udonchow replied
Thank youuuuuu Cazzie!! Big hugs for you, Ophelia is smiling big smiles too! ^ _ ^
AnitaInverarity
Homepage Congrats- Woooooooooo Hooooooooooooo xxxxxxxxx
udonchow replied
Thank youuuuuuu dear Anita!! Sweet surprise indeed!! :D
Pip Gerard
I’m so excited Ellen cause we share the home page today!!
Seeing Ophelia’s beautiful face on the home page is a real treat. :D xoxo
udonchow replied
Congrats to you too Pip and thanks a bunch for your sweet words!! :D (I didnt manage to see the features though :( )
cardiocentric
what a precious little angel!
i love owls! :]
udonchow replied
Great!! Owls Rock! Thank you very much cardiocentric! :D
valzart
WOOOOOHOOOOO WHOZ ON THE HOMEPAGE OPHELIA WOOT HOOTY OWL YOUR A STAR** Congratz sweet Ellen on your Homepage feature woohoo lol! ;}x Happy hippy hugglez
udonchow replied
Happy hippy huggles to you too Val!! You are such a sweet lady, thanks alot for your support and enthusiasm!! :D
CapturedByKylie
Congratulations on the red bubble HOME PAGE feature (14 April 2009)
udonchow replied
Thank youuuuuuu very much!! ^ _ ^
houk
Just beautiful ! Comgratulations on RedBubble home page feature!
udonchow replied
Thank you very much houk, appreciate that!! ;D
Pip Gerard
For you and Ophelia :D
udonchow replied
Wow!! Thank youuuuu Pip, that’s very helpful and sweet of you!! Hugs!! :D
Pip Gerard
You should definitely delete at least one of the bigger images that I mistakenly put on.. only because keeping them on here will mean the page will take longer to load for everyone who visits it.
webbie
ElYPares
Congrats on feature. Sooo cute!!!
stephanie allison 11 days ago
This piece would be perfect for the Painted Nature group! It is a new creative nature group, real & make believe ♥