Murder Mysteries and Chickadee Oil painting by Barbara Rudolph

"White Butterfly"

(I was going to call it "Booked To Die"...but decided I had better go with the other title.)

This oil painting "White Butterfly" was so much fun to paint.  Do you love a good murder mystery?  If yes, you might enjoy this detailed "oil painting" that includes four very interesting books. "White Butterfly" by Walter Mosley, Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon", "Booked To Die" by John Dunning, and a book by Sheldon Rusch called "For Edgar."  Yes I'll admit....  that last book I chose for the cover...it fit right into the story I wanted to tell with my painting.

It all started with a beautiful carving of a "black capped chickadee" that my late father had carved. The base on the carving was broken, and I thought it might be fun to use it in a "still-life" painting. I placed it upon the "murder mystery" books and tried various lighting changes.  I took a lot of pictures until I got it just right.  Then I set out on the long journey to paint it.  I wanted to capture a little drama in the painting.  I painted in the "white butterfly" just above the "bird" as if....he was... "booked to die."  Of course if you prefer a happy ending..."white butterfly" will do too. They "key" sitting upon the shelf might just hold the mystery to this piece. What do you think is about to happen?

It will be framed and hanging in my studio at the "Celebration of Fine Art" in Scottsdale, Arizona, which opens on January 15th.  I hope you will stop by and say hi.  For more information about this oil painting, you can contact me.

Barbara Rudolph
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