Winnie's Butterfly

Winnie and her sisters had come for a summer visit and were getting ready to go home.  As they were packing the car, we realized that we had not picked any flowers while they were visiting.  My zinnia bed was overflowing with color, so I got out the clippers and we all got to work.

Now these are 'city girls.'  (They are not in to bugs and dirt - I have suggested to their mother that a camping trip might be in order one of these days.)

The butterflies were everywhere. Winnie was cutting her flowers and a lovely butterfly landed on her shoulder.  She was not too sure that she liked that, but her sisters convinced her to stand still (quietly) and her mother snapped the picture.  It turned out to be a happy event and soon they climbed into the car with hands full of zinnia color.

I began this painting with a watercolor underpainting.

Here it is - finished up with pastel.  I left most of the background for the soft watercolor effect.