048 - Love is Like a Butterfly by Misty Dawn

This is an embellished print of my original painting which was the first piece of artwork I created after I lost both of my parents in August of 2021. I hadn't made art in YEARS, but when I experienced this traumatic loss, I had an overwhelming calling to create, and it is what helped me start to heal. I've always loved Dolly Parton and used to visit Dollywood yearly with my parents as a child, so she was a natural choice for my first painting in my new reality. I hope she brings someone as much joy as the process of creating her brought me in my darkest hour. I still look at the original every time I start to feel sad or overwhelmed, and I remember I can do anything, as long as I follow my heART. 

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Born and raised in Sanford, NC, lived in Paris, NYC, LA, Las Vegas and recently returned to my childhood home. I've always been a creative person, from crocheting clothes for my Barbies as a child, to drawing mermaids (my favorite subject matter), to expressing my artistic side through my funky outfits and makeup. However, I had gone years without creating art until I lost my parents in 2021 and felt the urge to create again. The title of "artist" is one I still feel uncomfortable with, and I'm trying to embrace it and tell myself that I'm deserving of it.