By Anne Dunn

The Mayan Goddess Itzpapalotl was known as the butterfly goddess. She was known for her destructive as well as restorative powers. She chose to save only one creature ,the butterfly, when she plucked it from the fiery debris of her own destruction, wishing to preserve its beauty as it turned to stone.

"I've been a visual arts educator for nearly 30 years. I""ve taught for School District 11 for most of those years. My artistic mentors are kids less than 12 years old.
I am inspired by Pre-Colombian art and enjoy working in ceramics, acrylics, and pyrography. I have 2 kind kids, a seriously stupid dog, and a view of the mountains that can't be beat"

By Julie McKenny

I have always had a love for buttereflies. Their beauty brightens my day when I see one in my garden and especially when I see them flock to my butterfly bushes.

Julie is primarily a textile artist. She loves to sew and has an innate ability for combining colorful fabrics to create soft goods that she sells at craft fairs around the state of Colorado.

By Lorrine Danzo

I wanted to capture the beauty and delicacy of butterfly and dragonfly wings.

Lorraine is a Colorado Artist currently represented in Colorado Springs by 45 Degree Gallery and The Art Gallery at Cacao Chemistry. She has a degree from Pratt Institute and Brooklyn College in New York. She paints acrylics of animals, landscapes and abstractions and she creates mixed media collages.

By Lorrine Danzo

A Mexican inspired design with vivid colors and shapes.

Lorraine is a Colorado Artist currently represented in Colorado Springs by 45 Degree Gallery and The Art Gallery at Cacao Chemistry. She has a degree from Pratt Institute and Brooklyn College in New York. She paints acrylics of animals, landscapes and abstractions and she creates mixed media collages.

By Marilyn Chambon

I am reminded of my mother who loved butterflies and bright colors.

Though I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice by occupation, I have discovered a wonderful way to express myself creatively through the medium of watercolor.Just as Life presents opportunities for growth, so does each painting, with its little surprises and challenges, all of which end up teaching me more about life. The most important lesson my paintings have taught me is to PERSEVERE. Just when I think the watercolor, having a life of its own, is not cooperating with my intentions, I am learning to 'keep-on-keeping-on' and to be open to new possibilities, which are often better than I ever could have anticipated. I am extremely fortunate to continue to learn new skills under the gifted teaching of Lorraine Danzo, a local watercolor artist and instructor.

By Marilyn Chambon

For many of us, we cannot "fly" until we are able to let go of what has bound us through life's circumstances. It may be a process that takes a while but the freedom to thrive with new life awaits.

By Laura Scott

I was thinking of a unique yet simple design for this petite butterfly. The purples and greens blend well together allowing the design to pop. Simple and beautiful.

By Jin Rong Zhang

Traditional paper cutting, clay figurines, fluid art, stained glass, textile art, and the the patterns and colors of real butterflies.

I am always captivated by the power of creative expression. Having dabbled in drawing and painting from time to time, I found my love for artmaking rekindled since moving to Colorado Springs. I truly enjoy experimenting with various media and being immersed in the creative process. In creating the butterflies for FLIGHT, I draw inspiration from traditional Chinese paper cutting, textile art,stained glass,clay figurines, fluid art, and mostly, the natural beauty of real butterflies.

By Linda Visinsky

I started the painting on Cinco de Mayo, and the fluttering colors of the Mexican dancer' skirts inspired me! It warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.

Color has always lifted my spirits. I started drawing and watercoloring over 45 years ago. It has become my soothing pasttime. Most of my artwork adorns my children, family and friend's homes. When I travel I do watercolors to remember the wonders of the world. I hope my artwork enlivens other people's lives.

By Mary Denise Hammond

This piece is truly inspired by my love of Colorado and the mountains. When I first moved out west from Michigan over 30 years ago, I was immediately enamored by the mountains. I recall my father telling a friend that I took one look at those mountains, fell in love and was never coming back. Seems he was right. This year, I named the piece, "Simply Colorado" as I wanted to do a simpler design than I have in the past. I am pleased with the end result highlighting the Colorado flag spread across the wings, the mountain scape under a sunset on the underwings and the state flower, a columbine, on the base. Colorado has a unique beauty which I hope I have captured, at least a little bit.

Denise is a hobby artist. She works with glass mosaics, generally for her own enjoyment and amusement, but also giving finished products away as gifts to friends and family. She has been privileged to be selected to create butterflies multiple years and is so pleased to again have the opportunity to contribute to the arts programs in schools through the Rotary Club Flight Project.

By Jeanie Turse

Inspiration for Monarch Fusion comes from two distant regions and cultures, Asia and Latin America. The bold orange and blue colors in Monarch Fusion are from Latin American arts culture. The design motifs are based on traditional Japanese designs.

Jeanie has taken art classes at Pikes Peak Community College. She has exhibited in several shows at the Downtown Studio and Cacao Chemistry. Jeanie has worked in public and school health as a registered nurse. Travel and community volunteer work are two of Jeanie's passions. Volunteer service trips have provided opportunities to study flora and fauna in their natural environments. Organic forms from nature and science inspire her work.

By Sara Lee

My hope is to create something that brings joy and reminds of us the beauty that surrounds us. I incorporated the colors of summer and the symmetry often found in nature.

I worked for may years in healthcare, before fining time to begin painting more seriously. I especially enjoy intuitive watercolor landscapes and florals. It is important to me that my work is shared with many and that I can use my gifts to impact and give back to my community.

By Mary Gorman

I love the bold designs and colors of the indigenous people's art of the Pacific North West. I love their combination of red, turquoise and black.

Mary is a Colorado native and says her heart is always in our Rocky Mountains, though she has been fortunate to travel the globe. Retirement from Federal Civil Service gave her the time to pursue her artistic journey. She has found amazing teacher, support and inspiration in the local art community. She has been a member of Gallery 113 in downtown Colorado Springs since its opening in 2011. There she displays and sells her silk and watercolor paintings. She is a signature member of Pikes Peak Watercolor Society and Silk Painters International. She likes to express the beauty and diversity of our world in landscapes, florals, and whimsy in her animal paintings.

By Mary Gorman

I love the optimism I feel when I see Spring green and violet together. I put those colors together with the spiral which is a symbol of new growth and new beginnings.

Mary is a Colorado native and says her heart is always in our Rocky Mountains, though she has been fortunate to travel the globe. Retirement from Federal Civil Service gave her the time to pursue her artistic journey. She has found amazing teacher, support and inspiration in the local art community. She has been a member of Gallery 113 in downtown Colorado Springs since its opening in 2011. There she displays and sells her silk and watercolor paintings. She is a signature member of Pikes Peak Watercolor Society and Silk Painters International. She likes to express the beauty and diversity of our world in landscapes, florals, and whimsy in her animal paintings.

By Georgia Padilla

Butterflies themselves and all the color combinations. Nature specifically pink flowers in green foliage, and lace nighty.

My name is Georgia. I am a self taught mixed media artist. I started doing art as a young girl to cope with the strife of having a heart disease which limited what I could do physically. Over the years, art has been a therapeutic outlet for trauma and health issues in my life. I do custom work, such as portraits, when I am not creating for professional settings. Although I can do fun art, my preference is to do raw and deeply emotional work relating to mental illness or art therapy. Painted mural at Vapez, Castle Rock 2016. Won best in show Twentyone8 Gallery, Colorado Springs 2018. 2 month solo exhibit at The Perk Downtown, Colorado Springs 2018. Won scholarship to Next Gallery Lakewood 2019-present member. Spot on 2 juried show Dart Gallery Denver 2021. Multiple shows 40 West Art Gallery, Denver 2021.

By Ashley Wensch

By Heather McKinnon

This petite butterfly represents a celebration,
with fireworks, pinwheels and confetti. It is a
whimsical piece that might remind you of the
circus, the fair or the carnival at the boardwalk.
The finished piece reminds me of a fireworks
show.

This piece is painted with acrylic paints,
including metallic and glitter paints. I was very
happy to have the dome-shaped base which
lends itself to painting mandalas. It is painted
intuitively and the finished piece is always a
surprise. I never use grids, lines or patterns.

I hope that it delights the eye, lifts the spirit and reminds us that we might want to celebrate this life while we are still here.

"I am a 26 year resident of Colorado and I have been married to my Husband, Brian, for 24 years. We raised our two amazing children in the 'burbs of Broomfield. It was only after moving to our retirement home in Canon City that I discovered I had an inner artist.
I am a Mandala Artist. I paint with acrylic paints, including metallic, pearl and glitter paints. I usually paint on canvas and wooden boards but I also paint on stone, wood, ceramics, fabrics and more!
I love the idea of Wabi-Sabi, of finding beauty in imperfection, of revering authenticity above all. I paint entirely free-hand with no forethought of pattern or design. My paintings tend to be surprising even as I paint them. I like to think of them as a download of sacred geometry from the universe!
My paintings are created with a clear intention to delight the eye and lift the spirit, they represent my devotion to God and to humanity.
I am a very new artist and I have only begun to spread my wings!"

By Kai Gaynor

In general, I am in constant awe of the universe and its many celestial bodies. But more specifically I love the images that NASA has captured, and thought the image of the protostar L1527 would work great for this project. So I wanted to push myself to create something a bit out of my comfort zone, but also relevant to the type of work and research that is happening in the Springs from different space entities.

Kai Gaynor is a Colorado Springs freelance artist that specializes in portrait art. Through her business Momo-XO art, she expresses her appreciation of beautiful people and nature in prints, stickers and apparel which can be found at several stores here in the Springs.

By Andrea Box

I did a design back in 2020 that I called Tesselations on a large that I would like to reproduce this year on a dragonfly

Andrea Box was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO. Her art education took off at Air Academy High School under an influential art teacher who gave her the guidance and opportunity to show in local and state shows and has grown ever since. She lives with her two spry but sweet dogs who often lend a paw with inspiration for her artwork. She completed her Master's Degree in Public Administration in 2013, which has driven her commitment to participate in non-profit and charitable projects.

By Cody Taylor

By Emerick Wissbaum

I'm 9 years old and I'm a Champion wrestler, I got 1st place at the Butthead Wrestling Tournament in Oregon last year - truth- google it! I'm addicted to my iPad and Roblox but I will turn them off long enough to paint a butterfly for the Rotary like I did last year.

Emerick Wissbaum is 9 years old and lives in Bend, Oregon. He is a wrestler and plays soccer and pickle ball. He has painted two butterflies for the Rotary Auction previously, this is his third. His favorite color is pink; the pink body of his butterfly is his favorite part. Painting with his sister Finley, and both grandmothers this year was boring but he wants to do it again next year

By Nancy Wissbaum

I was born, raised and am still living in Portland, Oregon, "City of Roses". In my working years I was employed as a dental hygienist as well as a music ensemble director at Holy Cross Church. My husband and I have the honor of sharing three amazing grandchildren with Laurel Bahe and Charlie Montoya. It was because of this that I was introduced to this event a few years ago while visiting Laurel with our grands - they were all painting butterflies for the fundraiser.

This year she invited me to paint a butterfly, as I would be visiting Colorado Springs in July. I was apprehensive, not being an artist, but I am honored to be able to participate by painting my first Flight butterfly for this worthy cause.

By Finley Wissbaum

I'm 12 years old and I like to paint. I live in Bend, OR and come to Colorado Springs to visit my Grandmother in the summertime. I love horses and dogs. I ski and play soccer and put up with my two brothers the best that I can.

Finley Wissbaum is 12 years old and lives in Bend, Oregon. She loves to draw and play soccer. This is the third butterfly she has painted for the Rotary Auction. Her summer visit to her grandmother's house in Colorado Springs has coincided with the butterfly painting timeframe, so she paints a butterfly during her visit. This year her 'other' grandmother came to visit Colorado Springs too so she go to paint with both her grandmothers. Finley's favorite color is blue and she painted several iterations of the blue side of her butterfly before calling it done.

By Laurel Bahe

Laurel Bahe is a local artist, her work is displayed at The Gallery at Cacao Chemistry, 109 N. Tejon St. in downtown Colorado Springs. She primarily paints owls in a bright, whimsical, graffiti style. Her grandchildren, Finley and Emerick Wissbaum have painted Rotary butterflies with her for three years now. This year Nancy Wissbaum, Finley and Emerick's other grandmother came and painted a butterfly too! Laurel's inspiration this year was an Anna's 88 butterfly, a real butterfly with and 88 pattern on its lower wings.

By Dana Parvin

Childhood spent in Kansas CIty, moved to Colorado Springs 10 years ago. Love to hike and bike, currently training for a marathon. Share my space with one darling kitty cat. I work as a dental hygienist as well as part time beer-tender at local brewery.