California Butterfly Illustrations

It’s hard to take a good look at a butterfly. They’re always flying away! The nine illustrations display a series of California butterflies, frozen in time to show all the detail in the wing patterns. Take a closer look and see that each print shows some of the life cycle phases of the butterfly: egg, host plant, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly.

Research for each butterfly was done by studying preserved specimens at the California Academy of Science and raising a few butterflies from an egg, along with the help of field guides. The original paintings were made on Douglas fir wood panels and painted with transparent watercolor, so the grain of the wood is seen through the transparent watercolors. The Mission Blue Butterfly is highlighted, as it was designated an official symbol of the city by the South San Francisco City Council in 2012. MaryAnn Nardo has a degree in Fine Art/Photography and studied biological illustration.

Butterflies featured in series: American Lady Butterfly, Anglewing Butterfly, Anise Swallowtail Butterfly, Blue Copper Butterfly, Buckeye Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur Butterfly, Mission Blue Butterfly (pictured), Monarch Butterfly, Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Location

Library | Parks and Recreation Center, 901 Civic Campus Way, First floor corridor, South San Francisco 94080  View Map