Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Tulip Tree

•

I'm usually uncofortable with showing off commissioned artworks, because I feel as if there's a certain loss of integrity in the final product (for me, anyways) because I'm limited to the requestor's parameters in content and design. However, this project was a little different. I was asked to create a piece without limitations for the retirement party of one of my coworkers. Since he is a butterfly enthusiast, I decided to create a piece that would speak to his passion and love of butterflies. The butterfly I selected as the focus is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio glaucus, which is native to the eastern United States and a common sight in the springtime in South Carolina. The Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, is also native to the United States and a very common sight here as well. Since the tulip tree is one of the food sources for the tiger swallowtail, I thought it would be appropriate to show the various stages of the butterfly's development on the tree as well. My coworker was so happy to receive this gift and for once, I was thrilled with a commissioned work!