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“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible”
paul klee
eyal holtzman
Song of the Butterfly
Handcrafted & hand-painted butterflies collection
I always loved butterflies. I used to collect them as a child, but at some point I stopped. I couldn’t bear having to kill them.
Now, in my project “Song of the Butterfly”, I create each one from recycled wood and paint it by hand. I frame them with their (scientific) names, but without glass and without pins: they’re free, as it were, to come and go as they please.
Living in the Netherlands, I chose to concentrate on native species, and I intentionally create only existing ones: this is my humble ode to nature. My pieces are, however, slightly larger than life-size: so, while still looking real, their beauty and presence are even more prominent.
A selection of these handmade butterflies is presented below.
Some time around 1975...
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eyal holtzman
Song of the Butterfly
Handcrafted & hand-painted butterflies collection
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Song of the Butterfly is on exhibition at the gallery of Elisabeth Vreedehuis from August 23 to October 6, 2022
I regulartly share new work in progress on social media: Facebook and Instagram
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All the pieces are for sale and can be shipped internationally. Each image links to a separate page with price and details.
New pieces are added regularly. I may accept commissions, and I’m happy to answer questions; please contact me.
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Watch on YouTube a video of the whole process, from a piece of wood to a framed butterfly:
Each piece begins with a shape study: which silhouette is the most distinctive and recognizable? I then make precise outline drawings.
I glue the drawings to fine-grained, recycled cherry wood and use a jigsaw to cut out the shapes.
I use mechanical sanders to get the basic three dimensional form.
With multi-tools, jewelers files, scalpels and sandpaper I fine tune and add subtle detail. I finish with a thin layer of artist primer.
I use various colourfast, pigment-rich pencils and watercolors for painting.
The final result is sealed with protective matt varnish. For every piece, I make a frame that best suits its size, shape and colour.
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I studied Graphic & Typographic Design, graduating from the Royal Academy of Art (kabk) in The Hague in 1996. I have been active as an independent artist, designer and lecturer, teaching at art academies in Holland and China. Since 2007 I have been co-running graphic design agency Studio Eyal & Myrthe, specializing in books and typography.
* In this website I used my own typeface Kristal, which is available at type foundry Bold Monday.
E-mail: eyal@songofthebutterfly.art
Whatsapp: +31-6-1909-5460
Facebook: /songofthebutterfly.art
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“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible”
paul klee
