Butterflies of Ojai Watercolor (Framed)

Watercolor on paper

8×10 inches

2026

Tucked into the hills of the Ojai Valley, where wildflowers spill along creek beds and the air carries the scent of sage and orange blossom, butterflies feel right at home. Ojai's mild climate and rich native plant life make it a quiet sanctuary for some of Southern California's most beautiful winged visitors, and this painting gathers them all together in one vibrant colorscape.

Seventeen native species are hidden within this piece:

• metalmark: named for the metallic looking spots on its wings

• mourning cloak: one of the longest living butterflies, at about 10 months

• california sister: feeds on tree sap not flower nectar, often found near oak trees

• edith’s checkerspot: named for the unique checkered pattern of its wings

• red admiral: highly territorial and will chase other insects

• gulf fritillary: caterpillars feed on passionflower vines

• western tiger swallowtail: strong flier with wings that mimic tiger stripes

• green hairstreak: uses its pheromones to promote a symbiotic relationship with ants, where they give ants sugary liquid and ants protect it from predators

• sleepy orange: wing coloration changes between summer and winter

• pale swallowtail: females can mimic pipevine swallowtails to avoid predators

• california dogface: state insect of california with little eyes on the wings

• acmon blue: really small and populations increase based on rainfall

• painted lady: can migrate thousands of miles across continents and oceans

• senna sulphur: bright yellow and cluster together for warmth at nighttime

• monarch: relies on milkweed plants for reproduction

• orange tip: feeds on mustard plants and its flight period is very short in early spring

• common buckeye: large eye spots and cannot survive cold winters so must recolonize areas each year

Part painting, part field guide, part love letter to the Ojai Valley and the remarkable creatures that call it home. This piece invites joy, life, and attention to the details of small wonders.

Painted with Winsor & Newton and Gansai Tambi watercolor paints on cold pressed lightly textured watercolor paper. Original 8x10 inch watercolor matted and framed in a 11x14 inch solid oak wood frame with glass, ready to hang.

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