Soul of the Butterfly

Phenomena of Lepidoptera

Edward Lentsch

| s o u l o f t h e bu t t e r f ly

soul of the butter fly

Th e b ut t e r f ly cou n ts n ot mon ths but m oments, and has ti m e enough.

-Rabindranath Tagore

T h e F ie ld B e t w e e n 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 80 x 60 in c h e s

P a l e t t e o f P u rpo s e an d Pe rf e c t io n 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 88 x 66 in c h e s

Ro s e lin e 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 78 x 50 in c h e s

With the rose the butterfly’s deep in love, A thousand times hovering round; But round himself, all tender like gold, The sun’s sweet ray is hovering found.

-Heinrich Heine, “New Spring”

Love is like a butterfly: It goes where it pleases and it pleases wherever it goes.

-Author Unknown

“Just living is not enough,” said the butterfly, “one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”

-Hans Christian Anderson

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee -Muhammad Ali

L o ve 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 31 x 25 in c h e s

T h e S ou l o f t h e B u t t e rf ly 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 66 x 56 in c h e s

Soul

of the butterfly

The Phenomena of Lepidoptera is not about science; it is about something much broader in scope and content. It’s about my observations of a richly woven quilt of color and texture in a theme where the butterfly is the coinciding connection.

This new series of paintings is exciting to me because it moves through science and art, and beyond metaphysics to a place where the spirit of the butterfly is the inspiration on many levels. It moves me from a place of contemplation to a place of surrender and oneness with this extraordinary interconnectedness of magic and enlightenment.

In these works I explore the deeper significance of the butterfly as it relates to many facets of the human experience. In my process and use of materials I find a connection between the most elemental phenomena of the universe and the most deeply magical experiences that articulate something very precious in our connections to butterflies. Like magical discovery after discovery, each painting progresses from a new combination of colors as they might exist in nature either as refraction, tessellation, or as a phenomenon of phosphorescence.

In analysis, the transformation of caterpillar to moth and the cycle of birth and rebirth is but a metaphor for the human divine. The butterfly reveals itself as a testament to the profundity of creation and as something that merits our attention.

This beautiful creature has fascinated people for as long as humans have been thinking beings. Even the cave man must have said, “wow” when looking at a butterfly. Have you ever seen a child who didn’t awe at the sight?

When I first was inspired to research the butterfly as a theme for a series of paintings, it was like being hit by lightning. I shortly realized that as long as man has been keeping track of his thoughts, ideas and observations the butterfly has been a constant source of contemplation and inspiration. I have taken this opportunity to expand upon this theme with many reaffirmations of the significance of butterflies and to equate them to the human endeavor. And so it is with a great deal of anticipation that I salute the butterfly as one of God’s most brilliant of miracles.

To me, the metaphor of the butterfly is one of the best examples for what I call synectics. It is an infinite power that eludes me in its vastness and entirety; I refer to this as the Phenomena of Lepidoptera. I see a multitude of information within a singular experience of joy and love as so many people describe their experiences with this amazing creature. This special something so easily appreciated by both a child and adult deserves investigation. As you read this text and view the new paintings, I wish you the experience that can only be referred to as the Soul of the Butterfly.

All good things,

Edward Lentsch

T h e o ry f o r I ride s c e n c e 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 80 x 60 in c h e s

The butterfly is a flying flower, The flower a tethered butterfly.

-Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

But these are flowers that fly and all but sing: And now from having ridden out desire They lie closed over in the wind and cling Where wheels have freshly sliced the April mire.

-Robert Frost, “Blue-Butter fly Day”

Butterflies are self propelled flowers.

-R.H. Heinlein

P o d o f t h e Milk w e e d 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 66 x 88 in c h e s

An ge l Win g 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 60 x 50 in c h e s

The Cocoon 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 60 x 50 in c h e s

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.

-Richard Bach

Sh allo w T ail 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 60 x 80 in c h e s

The Cocoon I found a cocoon That a caterpillar made, Fastened to a leaf Hanging in the shade.

He barely had room To wiggle or wag, Like me zipped up In my sleeping bag.

I looked each time That I passed his way, But he never budged Until just today.

Something happened!

He wagged and wiggled And then climbed out And carefully jiggled Small wet wings That grew as they dried.

He’d turned to a butterfly Inside!

-Author Unknown

C e ridw e n 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 78 x 50 in c h e s

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

-Maya Angelou

Th e Arc h it e c t 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 80 x 60 in c h e s

T e s s e llat io n s 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 88 x 66 in c h e s

Divin at io n 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 88 x 66 in c h e s

Iridescence in Lepidoptera The wings of butterflies and moths are adorned with a wealth of pattern and color unrivalled in the living world. Some have uniformly-colored, un-patterned wings of white, some have deep iridescent hues of blues and greens, while others single shades of yellow, orange, red, green, blue, violet, brown or black.

The complex patterning is genetically determined and developmentally controlled. The color and pattern on a butterfly’s front and rear wing surfaces may be the same or different. The color of the two sexes may be identical, slightly different, or in some cases so distinctive that they were originally described in different genera.

Wing color may be seasonal, geographical or locally variable, or polymorphic. Furthermore, closely related species may appear extremely different, while unrelated species can display nearly identical color patterns. “Iridescence on Butter fly W ings�

Physics Review, Sept 1998

Ir i d e s c en c e in L e pido pt e ra 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 110 x 70 in c h e s

Butterflies and Moths Lepidoptera, the generic name for butterflies and moths, are one type of insect which can exhibit brilliant iridescence on its wings. They are an extensive family of nearly 150,000 insects that are found in most countries in the world. The word Lepidoptera is derived from the Greek and means “scaly winged”. These scales are detached easily when you touch one of their wings, and are so small that they feel like a fine powder on your fingers.

Butterflies differ from moths structurally in that their antennae are clubbed at the end and they lack a frenulum, a spine-like device which connects the front and hind wings of most moths. The general understanding of the taxonomic difference between them, is that butterflies have slender bodies, are brightly colored and fly in the daytime, whereas moths have stout bodies, are dull colored and usually fly at dusk or at night.

“Iridescence on Butter fly W ings” Physics Review, Sept 1998

T h e Blu e Nile 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 78 x 50 in c h e s

The phenomenon of iridescence.

The occurrence and distribution of iridescent colors and the various theories regarding their manifestation in the natural world were for a long time discussed by scientists. Even Sir Isaac Newton in his book Optics, published in 1704, put forward a reason for the iridescent nature of the color from the feathers of peacock tails. The word iridescence is itself defined as the change in hue of the color of an object as the observer changes viewing position.

An example of this iridescent color is the appearance of light reflected from an oil film on the surface of water. If the oil film is viewed from different angles the colors appear to shift and change. Iridescent colors are particularly striking for the observer. They can be among the purest and most brilliant and cannot be matched by even the brightest pigmental colors in their depth and intensity. In addition, the glittering change of hue that accompanies any change of light angle or observer position lends these colors a magic and beauty that is unmatched by any others. “Iridescence on Butter fly W ings�

Physics Review, Sept 1998

Saph ire 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 60 x 50 in c h e s

L a d y Sl i p p e r 2006 | p a i n t i n g o n c a n v a s | 5 0 x 9 0 in c h e s

G riz z le d Skippe r 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 44 x 40 in c h e s

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

-Nathaniel Hawthor ne

Wh it e Adm iral 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 44 x 40 in c h e s

C le o pat ra 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 48 x 42 in c h e s

B e a u tiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but a p p ro achable, butter flies lead you to the sunny side of life.

And everyone deserves a little sunshine.

-Jef frey Glassber g

T h e Gy ps y Mo t h 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 90 x 50 in c h e s

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun And find your shoulder to light on, To bring you luck, happiness and riches Today, tomorrow, and beyond.

-Irish Blessing

Go lde n Ey e 2 0 0 6 | p a i n t i n g o n c an vas | 44 x 40 in c h e s

| Education | Academies Des La Grande Chaumierre, Paris, France

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN Summit Academy of Fine Art, St. Paul, MN

| Collections |

partial listings

Merrill Lynch, Minneapolis, MN Marriott Hotel Corporation, Rochester, MN; Salt Lake City, UT Radisson Hotel Corporation, Chicago, IL; Moline, IL; Minnetonka, MN; St. Paul, MN Sheraton Hotel, Bloomington, MN Smith Parker Law Firm, Minneapolis, MN Sunstone Hotel Corporation, Santa Ana, CA Johnson Media Group, Minneapolis, MN Johnson Grossfield, Minneapolis, MN Midway National Bank, St. Paul, MN Sebastian & Associates, Eagan, MN Ackerberg Group, Minneapolis, MN Garden of Eden, David Judakin, Los Angeles, CA St. Paul Port Authority, St. Paul, MN Pfingsten Publishing, Cleveland, OH Bennett Katz, San Francisco, Palm Springs, CA Gary & Susan Grandmaison, San Francisco, CA Cornell Moore, Minneapolis, MN Thomas Johnson, Minnetonka, MN Jay Applebaum, Minnetonka, MN Robin Johnson, Minnetonka, MN Jerry & Judy Brill, Minneapolis, MN Larry & Shirley Zipkin, Minnetonka, MN Dr. Mark Wanderman & Dr. Chris Benson, Minnetonka, MN Marc & Debbie Grossfield, Minnetonka, MN Richard Schneider, Rapid City, IA Mike & Sara Badaurer, Minnetonka, MN

William Strifert & Julie Sinykin, Minnetonka, MN Jerry Burns, Minneapolis, MN Steve Kalin, Minneapolis, MN Brad Davis, Detroit Lakes, MN Ed & Linda Barresh, Scottsdale, AZ Joe & Barbara Collins, Pebble Beach, CA Eric & Nora Rotier, Minnetonka, MN Joan Byhre, Edina, MN John Martell, Santa Cruz, CA Dr. Steven Plager, Santa Cruz, CA Dr. Carl & Phyllis Maruzak, Pacific Palisades, CA Kelly & Elisa Thomson, La Jolla, CA Diane Keith, Palm Desert, CA Henry & Barbara LaBounta, West Vancouver, BC Claudia Wishnau, Long Beach, CA Steve & Pat Rosvold, Vancouver, WA Bill & Peggy Cohen, Palm Springs, CA Greg Garbin & Ken Denhard, Alamo, CA Barry Berg, Minneapolis, MN Richard & Diane Cohen, Palm Desert, CA Irving Budlong, Edina, MN Steven Freeman, Minnetonka, MN Phyllis Sperling, St. Louis Park, MN Larry & Barbara Sonsini, Palm Desert, CA Tom & Terri Burke, Plymouth, MN Jeff & Carolie Lewis, New Ulm, MN Mike & Paula Flom, Plymouth, MN George Caswell & Karin Martinson, Minnetonka, MN George & Mary Sissel, Denver, CO Michael Gudalowski & Bonnie Boits, Palm Desert, CA Barbara Fredrickson, Edina, MN Eric Smith, Cleveland, OH

Steve Andersen, Minneapolis, MN Eric Johnson, Chicago, IL Richard and Lisa Rotenberg, Palm Desert, CA Peter Nauert, Santa Fe, NM Rob Brook, Scottsdale, AZ Gretchen B. Ventura, Minneapolis, MN Jim and Maria Cockrum, Scottsdale, AZ Bob and Denise Delgado, Phoenix, AZ Jim and Mary Piccolo, Scottsdale, AZ Ron and Jennifer Dillee, Amarillo, TX Disdale Design, Surry, England

| Exhibitions | 2006 Lanoue Fine Art, Boston, MA 2006 Modern Masters, Santa Fe, NM 2006 Hernandez Contemporary, Scottsdale, AZ 2006 Modern Masters Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA 2005 Art Chicago Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 2005 Flanders Gallery, Minneapolis, MN 2004 Elizabeth Edwards Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA 2004 Desert Wolf, Palm Desert, CA 2003 Art Chicago, Julie Baker Fine Art, Grass Valley, CA 2003 Windsor Gallery, Dania, FL 2003 Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Minnetonka, MN 2002 Palm Springs International Art Fair, Palm Springs, CA 2001 Elizabeth Edwards Fine Art, Maui, HI 2001 Elizabeth Edwards Fine Art, Nantucket, MA 2000 Palm Springs International Art Fair, Palm Springs, CA 1998 Atrium Design Center, Ranchero Mirage, CA 1997 Sidney Bechet Center for Visual Arts, Garches, France 1995 Gallery Massijiro Ltd., Fukuoka-Ken, Japan 1995 Minneapolis, Institute of Art, Art in Bloom, Minneapolis, MN 1994 Scholes Fine Art, Edina, MN

| Partial Bibliography |

includes references for painting titles

The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life: Volume 1 by Drunvalo Melchizedek The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life: Volume 2 by Drunvalo Melchizedek The Bible Code by Michael Drosnin The Dancing Wu Li Masters by Gary Zukav The Dead Sea Scrolls by G. Vermes The Divine Proportion by H.E. Huntley Divine Proportion: Phi In Art, Nature, and Science by Priya Hemenway Egyptology: search for the Tomb of Osiris by Candlewick Press The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene The Emerald Tablets of Thoth the Atlantean translation and interpretation by Doreal The Fourth Turning An American Prophecy by William Strauss and Neil Howe God and the New Physics by Paul Davies God is a Verb by David A Cooper The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World’s Most Astonishing Number by Mario Livio How to Know God by Deepak Chopra The I Ching or Book of Changes by Brian Browne Walker Living in the Heart: How to Enter into the Sacred Space Within the Heart by Drunvalo Melchizedek Mathematics from the Birth of Numbers by Jan Gullberg Morphic Resonance & the Presence of the Past by Rupert Sheldrake Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner The Mystery of Aleph by Amir D. Aczel The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose Sacred Geometry: Philosophy and Practice (Art and Imagination) by Robert Lawlor The Soul of a Butterfly: Refelctions on Life’s Journey by Muhammad Ali with Hana Yasmeen Ali The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra Wizardology: The Secrets of Merlin by Candlewick Press Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

| Acknowledgements | Great thinkers, writers, philosophers and others have had extraordinary experiences with or profound

thoughts about butterflies. As a source of inspiration I would like to recognize The Soul of the Butterfly

by Hana Yasmeen Ali written in collaboration with her father Mohamed Ali. As she said in her book, “this is not a book about boxing” I would say, “this is not a book about butterflies.”

This work continues my search for the things that define synectics. Defining synectics is to understand what Steven Covey calls a Third Alternative Solution or what Dr. Dyer calls The Power of Intention.

Of the many authors and minds that inspire me, the butterfly has inspired all of them. This book is a reflection on this very concept.

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