Artists
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Artist/Title/Size	Artist Biography
Mary Adoretti Geometric Wings (small) The Antlers Hilton, (4 S. Cascade)
Laura BenAmots  Comforting Caring Community (small) Hunter Wolff Galleries (2510 W. Colorado Ave.)	New York born painter Laura BenAmots considers the world her home, but is not quite at home anywhere. The disparate experiences of her life shape her art. She sailed on the last voyage of the Greek ocean liner, the Queen Anna Maria, when she was eight, to spend her formative years in Israel. Her professional artistic training began at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, continued at the Tyler College of Art & Design and concluded with a MFA from the Philadelphia University of the Arts. Career highlights include a traveling national exhibit titled Bookworks, one-woman exhibits in Denver at the Edge and Abecedarian Galleries and inclusion in summer exhibits at Miami’s DOTfiftyone Happenings Gallery. Today, Laura lives in Colorado where she paints, serves as associate professor and gallery director at a local college, and is an active advocate for public arts projects in Colorado Springs.  For more info on this artist: www.laurabenamots.info
Juanita Canzoneri Kirkland's Vibrations (large) Garden of the Gods Club (3320 Mesa Rd.)	Juanita Canzoneri may be best known for either her glass mosaics or video tape fiber work. Vance Kirkland's works at a recent exhibit at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center inspired her butterfly design. With "Kirkland's Vibrations," she has stepped out of her comfort zone to dabble in oil enamels. Kirkland’s use of color, dots, and texture fascinates her, and so she was grateful for the chance to play with some of his techniques in this project. This is Juanita's third year of participating in Butterflies and Friends. Her desire to encourage elementary arts education is inspired by her own childhood experience of moving from an arts-friendly school to one that had no visual arts program. She has lived in School District 11 for 15 years.
Phelan Carrasco Lepidoptera Chemica (large) Pikes Peak Center (190 S. Cascade)
Lupita Carrasco The World is a Rainbow (large) Pikes Peak Center (190 S. Cascade)	Lupita Carrasco creates a wide range of art from vivid mixed media landscapes to portraits laced with symbolism. Even as a child she felt compelled to create art; she has since used it as an outlet to express her emotions, dreams, and view of humanity.  Lupita draws her inspiration from the natural world, religion, and social and political themes. This year she has challenged herself to donate as much art as possible. For Lupita, it is truly a joy to support a good cause while being able to share her art work with others. For more info on this artist: www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com/Lupita-Carrasco.html
Antonia Chastain Precious (large) The Antlers Hilton, (4 S. Cascade)	Antonia was born in Sussex, England where she studied Fine Art before coming to the U.S. She is a multi-faceted artist accomplished in diverse media including painting, concrete, fiberglass, epoxies, steel, wood and paper mache. She loves to explore new creative ways to build and create things. Antonia works extensively with Cheyenne Mountain Zoo creating exhibits and art pieces. This year, Antonia's third year with Butterflies and Friends, her butterfly is simply called “Precious,” for how precious the gift of life is and that the gift is able pass something of beauty on to others.  Some things in life are more precious than words can explain, Watching puddles move from drops of rain. The sounds of a wave crashing against a rock, A sunset reflection, a vision you cannot block. Whispers of wind blowing through the trees, And butterflies fluttering on a gentle breeze.
Milly Chastain Dippin' Dots (small) The El Paso Club (30 E. Platte)	Milly turned 11-years-old this summer and this is her second year participating in Butterflies and Friends, following in her artist mother Antoinia’s foot steps. Milly has always admired the multi-colors and beauty of nature, as are reflected in her butterfly.  This year she named her butterfly after her favorite summertime treat "Dippin' Dots,” tiny multi-colored ice cream droplets. Milly loves to create and is always sewing and drawing and has had several art pieces on public display in Woodland Park. She is excited for this piece to go toward helping other children.
Neil Fenton Dragon-Fly (large) NW Corner, Pikes Peak and Tejon
FUSE Urban Flight (large) SE Corner, Pikes Peak and Tejon	Fuse (AWR) is a graffiti artist born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Surrounded by diverse culture at an early age, he quickly latched onto the underground cultures of skateboarding, BMX and punk rock.  In 1986, upon stumbling across Subway Art, a book documenting the early stages of graffiti art in New York City; and seeing the beginning stages of graffiti art popping up on the streets of Los Angeles, the art form quickly became his new-found obsession. In the ‘80’s, he helped form and promote a now world famous all-star graffiti crew, AWR (Art Work Rebels), which contains some of most prolific graffiti artists in the world, which include Saber, Revok, Retna and Sever. Since the mid ‘90’s, Fuse has taught graffiti art classes at various schools and has helped many troubled teens channel their energy and creativity in a positive direction. He’s employed part-time by the YMCA as an “Urban Art Instructor” in Colorado Springs, Colorado – his current stomping grounds. He recently completed a 50-foot tall mural in downtown Colorado Springs, one of the tallest murals ever completed in Colorado. While focusing primarily on his design and construction business, Fuse also continues to paint large-scale collaborative murals with top-caliber graffiti artists from across the country. He is an innovator on many levels and has created a unique product line for the decorative painting and art industry.  His free time is spent with wife, Melody, and son, Keenan. He devoutly follows the teachings of Jesus, the source of his inspiration.
Don Goede Colorado Reflections (small) Squash Blossom Galleries (2531 West Colorado Avenue)	Don Goede's art is “all over the place.” He won illustration awards early in high school and has continued working as a graphic designer and art director ever since. Don is a photographer, writer, sculptor, musician, agitator and publisher.  In his spare time you will find him enjoying art on almost every level possible.
Evette Goldstein Appearances (small) Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (30 W. Dale)	Evette Goldstein has always been able to draw what she sees. That skill, combined with her passion for abstract and the precision and math of her former Aerospace Engineering career, permeates her artwork. She says the artistic inspiration of the world around her gives her the freedom to continually experiment with subjects and styles from representational abstract to abstract expressionism. Evette is passionate about sharing artistic vision and opportunity, especially with youth, and is proud to be part of Imagination Celebration and the Rotary Club’s Butterflies and Friends for a third time. For more info on this artist: www.artbyevette.com
Mary Helsaple Ode to the Garden of Hope (small) Pikes Peak Center (190 S. Cascade)	Mary Helsaple is a multi-faceted artist, accomplished in diverse media from painting to photography and film.  Her work is realistic and narrative, creating images that stem from personal discovery, but that relate and connect to the viewer on complex and inter-connected levels.  Beyond the obvious aesthetic beauty of Mary’s work, however, sits an extraordinary exploration of the natural world and the place of human beings in the environment.  Fueled by extensive travels examining diverse ecosystems, Mary’s fascination with the dynamic between people and nature emerges through the process of creating art.  Seeking to resolve her own impact on her surroundings and find her place in the world, Mary believes that the understanding of this relationship is critical to successful co-existence, and that “business, arts, and education… are the best vehicles to inform and communicate the importance of inter-relationships.”    Speaking of this year’s butterfly creation, Mary states, “I painted the Gulf Fritillary to draw attention to the disaster affecting the wildlife species impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We see lots of news of how the disaster in this region has affected people and wildlife, but smaller things like the grass, flowers and the butterflies are harder to see.  Many small species are vital to an intact ecosystem.  Each lost species is an important link in the sustaining web of life. Without them, our ways of life are in jeopardy. On the top of the sculpture I have painted the Fritillary as it would be seen sitting on the marsh grass and wild flowers. The food that this butterfly depends on, such as the marsh flowers and grasses, has been destroyed in the wetlands. I painted subtle silhouettes of the manatees', sea turtles, pelicans, gulls, herons and oyster beds, all species that make this habitat rich in necessary resources. Hope inspires change in the cycle of life. Butterflies incorporate change into their very existence. A lowly grub has the ability to change into a unique winged-creature of the sky. They fill our world with beauty and wealth and abundance when they transform. Let us hope that we, too, can be inspired to make good the necessary changes that will transform the gulf back into the beautiful and abundant place it once was. Turning this tragic disaster of our own making, back towards renewal. “   For more info on this artist: www.helsaple.com
Julie Holladay Pattern Within (small) Pine Creek Gallery  (2419 W. Colorado Avenue)	As a child Julie looked at the world through a magnifying glass, always in amazement as to how and why things worked. She never grew out of that astonishment and eventually went on to study Science and Art through Western Michigan University. There Julie specialized in mixed media techniques with watercolors and later traveled to Norway to collaborate with many globally celebrated artists. She finds the complete satisfaction in working with this medium is “the freedom and unpredictability of its very nature. My art comes from being continually inspired and stimulated by our natural world. My attempt is to breathe life into my paintings through strong, vibrant colors.” Julie is currently showing her work at the Envi Gallery in Old Colorado City. She also teaches drawing, painting, ceramics, and art history full-time at Castle View High School.   For more info on this artist: www.jewelsink.com
Gloria Lynch  Je me souvien  (I Remember) (small) Swan Law  (501 N. Cascade)	Trained as a Stage Designer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, Italy, Gloria is currently applying her technical skills and ability to paint from large scale to faux finishes and design; as well as creating unique art canvases. Her inspiration comes from life, in its every form and emotional shape, from cloudy skies to political/social events. Gloria’s recent canvases tend to engage the viewer by offering layers of visual stimuli intended to initiate a slower, meditative, introspective pause in the experience. Speaking of this year’s butterfly creation, Gloria states, “I'm attracted to Butterflies and Friends because I firmly believe, today more than ever, in the value of creative thinking to bring positive change and resolution. Fostering art education in schools is just one very effective way to stimulate it. The inspiration behind my butterfly: I have been away from Italy for over thirty years but certain memories are so deeply etched in my mind, they are almost physically tangible! One in particular is very dear to me and has to do specifically with the Bell Tower of my home town, and the stairs leading to the door of that Tower.  The stairs are bordered by two rails of light, soft marble that still today, bear the carved out mark of generations of kids' bottoms sliding down them, in spite of the severe prohibition issued by the priest! I was one of those kids, and together with my brother, cousins and friends, would spy on the priest's movements and sneak to the stairs for a slide.  What a thrill! I went home for a visit last year with my daughter Mia. I showed her the stairs and told her the story.  Making the faux marble surface for the butterfly brought back so many memories of times and places:  marble surfaces in churches and buildings that have witnessed so many lives, so many stories, and have been worn out by so many hands. The "marble" imitates a variety called Botticino, which is pale, gently veined and soft to carve. The decorative carvings are classical subjects, typical of the 1800’s. I made the bas-reliefs on the butterfly to seem worn out by time, just like my memory of so many places in Italy. It was made with love. Enjoy it.”
Mia Lynch Millefiori  - Poppies (small) Garden of the Gods Visitor Center  (1805 N. 30th)	Inspired by her mother and her artwork, Mia has been involved in producing art since her grade school years. She has participated in illustrating several books produced by her school, worked on several murals and is currently learning the ancient technique of painting with egg tempera.   As well as art, she enjoys journalism, viola, piano, voice and music composition. As she advances in her proficiency on these subjects, she finds it fascinating that the basic concept of unique interpretation is shared by all of them.   Speaking of the year’s butterfly creation, Mia states “I feel that art, open to the interpretation and emotion of the artist, is an amazing communication tool. This form of expression should be available to all students because it's a great way to stimulate creative thinking and provide stress relief.  The inspiration of my butterfly came from the explosion of colors in my Mom's garden and the amazing "miracle" of the return of the good season. The garden that seemed empty and devoid of life just a couple of months ago, is now a riot of happiness and blooms.  Our bees seem intoxicated with the abundance of pollen and nectar. The red poppies are meant to convey the happiness I feel when the garden is back!”
Sarah Milteer Vintage Springs Postcards (large) Garden of the Gods Visitor Center  (1805 N. 30th)	Sarah was born and raised in Scotland and educated at Glasgow School of Art. She knew She would be an artist from a young age and has been drawing and painting most of her life. Sarah now resides in Colorado Springs with her family and dogs. She mostly paints acrylic on canvas or paper and her subjects are generally intimate portraits or nostalgic landscapes.  Currently inspired by friends, family and home life, Sarah enjoys the speed and vibrance of acrylic paint, though she also uses other painting mediums such as oils, inks and pigments. Speaking of this year’s butterfly creation, Sarah states, “I am dedicated to Butterflies and Friends because I believe in art education for public schools and find it disgraceful that some district schools do not have the luxury of taking this for granted through conventional means.  If this is what it takes for schools to have an art program then I am glad to help.” For more info on this artist: www.sarahmilteerpaintings.blogspot.com
Pikes Peak Decorative Painters Pikes Peak Takes Wing (large) Rocky Mountain Bank	"Decorative Painting" is a diverse art form that uses a variety of techniques and media to decorate functional and non-functional surfaces. Contemporary decorative painting is an art form that employs systematic teaching methods using either patterns or free-hand designs. This allows for success without formal art education or inherent drawing ability.  The scope of contemporary decorative painting is boundless, incorporating historic styles and methods and adapting them to the trends and materials of the present, folk art styles of many countries, and at the same time developing the decorative heritage of the future. Whatever their methods, techniques, or media, all decorative artists have a place in the Society of Decorative Painters  (www.decorativepainters.org). This butterfly is a collaborative effort of the members of the Pikes Peak Decorative Painters, an affiliated chapter of the SDP since 1978 (www.pikespeakdecorativepainters.com).
Kim Polomka Conflict of the Roses (large) The El Paso Club (30 E. Platte)	Kim Polomka’s work is a synthesis of super-realism and surrealism. Kim is passionate about the importance of art in the lives of young people, and knows how important it is for schools to keep their art programs. This is the reasoning behind his commitment to Butterflies and Friends for a third year as a participant. Kim has received numerous International Awards for fine art painting. His newest venture is now into public art in downtown Colorado Springs. He has painted several murals, including the Mozart Celebration (Partnership for Community Design Award 2007), the Giddings mural (best of the Springs 2009, honorable mention, Partnership for Community Design Award 2009) and, the most recent , ESM (best of the Springs 2010). Collections of his paintings can be found in Australia, Paris, New York and locally at Memorial North and St. Francis hospitals.   For more info on this artist: www.kimpolomka.com
Brigitte Reydams Springtime in Colorado (small) Garden of the Gods Club (3320 Mesa Rd.)
Douglas Rouse Steampunk Magic Butterfly (large) Colorado College Cache la Poudre and Cascade	Douglas Rouse is a local, professional muralist and award-winning chalk artist. Although very versatile as an artist, he specializes in tromp l’oeil murals, 3D street painting, and non-linear problem solving. His favorite medium is acrylic and latex, but has recently dabbled with oil. Douglas is a classic example of learning-by-doing. Realizing his talent at a young age,  he has taught himself into any given direction at any given moment, including marketing, leading, painting, building and fabrication, commercial set painting, and chalk art.  He is inspired by modern art, community, travel, and out-of-the-norm projects. Butterflies and Friends is one of those out-of-the-norm projects that inspires him.   Spearheading a brand new initiative called the “12 Mural Project,” Rouse will bring together over 100 hundred artists for large-scale collaborative mural painting around Colorado Springs.  For more info on this artist: www.rouse66.com
Mallori Rouse Retro Flower Butterfly (small) The Antlers Hilton, (4 S. Cascade)	Mallori Rouse was born in Colorado Springs and she took her first art and acting classes at Bemis Art School as a youngster. Her mother instilled in her the love of the arts throughout her fortunate upbringing - traveling around the world, going to the theatre and having the freedom to explore. After graduating from UCCS in May with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Sustainability, she has turned her focus back to a long time passion - acting and singing. However, she is still constantly involved in various art and design related endeavors. Mallori delights in the beauty of art and life when self- expression is uninhibited and candidly crisp.
Tanya Sansoni 'I only ask to be free.   The butterflies are free'  Charles Dickens (small) Pioneer's Museum (215 S. Tejon)	Tanya Sansoni is a native of Colorado Springs and has been celebrating with the art community since she was in pigtails.  Her artistic background is focused mainly in the theatrical arena, where she honed her talents as a scenic designer and scenic painter at the University of Tulsa.  Her work include set design and scenic artist for Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, How the West Was Done, Honk, Rumble Fish, Crimes of the Heart, Electra, Macbeth, and A Little Night Music.  “Since I was tiny, my mother always told me to imagine and create, and I have been doing so ever since!”
Dusty Shutt Building a Better Butterfly (small) Pikes Peak Center (190 S. Cascade)	Dusty Shutt has degrees and interests in many subjects, but above all, art makes her feel most at peace with the world and herself. Her focus is mixed-media impressionistic works, but enjoys photographing animals in the wild and at zoos. She photographs bears and big cats, but also appreciates the smaller, scurrying species and everything in between. “Art at the Edge of Nature” is her studio’s motto, so becoming involved with the Butterflies and Friends project was a natural fit. Dusty states, “Because my formal art and photography education has been attained in the public school and community college venues, I feel it is important to help ensure that my first love, art, isn’t sacrificed to my second love, math. Art is integral in helping one think outside the box when solving technical problems.”
Jill Spear Flutterby (small) Donna Dell'Olio (431 N. Cascade)	Jill, an Ohio native and former design consultant, studied watercolor and design at Bowling Green State University, and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a BFA in Design. She has exhibited in national and international juried shows and is a member of Chromatic Edge and the Bransby Atelier. Speaking of this year’s butterfly creation, Jill states,  “Inspired by the texture and essence of life on earth, I love the moment when the physical process of painting begins. I pour, manipulate and layer the pigment, watching images emerge, making choices about when to push toward my vision and when to encourage pigment to flow unchecked, creating the unexpected, until I've reached that decisive moment when I know my work and play is complete. The completed painting documents my creative journey and joyfully celebrates life.”
Sarah Stevens Dreaming of a Colorful Tomorrow (small) The Antlers Hilton, (4 S. Cascade)	Sarah Stevens is a local artist, high school art teacher, and lover of all things rich in age, meaning, and color. Relocated from Pennsylvania in the ‘90s, her work has transformed from traditional painting and drawing to a variety of media and a more organic, holistic approach much influenced by her life and travels in Colorado and other parts of the Southwest. Sarah’s love of texture, form, and rich color combine to create paintings and hanging sculptures that incorporate stories of happiness, history, tradition, and struggles of life and being a woman. She is a member of the Bridge Gallery in Colorado Springs and she has a small metal-smithing business.
Kat and Bob Tudor Doing Yoga with the Rotary Club (large) Pioneer's Museum  (215 S. Tejon, NW Corner)	The art installation team of Kat and Bob Tudor have been supplying and enlightening the Colorado Springs public for over 12 years. Their work materializes itself in forms that bewilder, amuse, and inspire. Outdoors, you can see their Uncle Wilber Fountain in downtown Colorado Springs and the Quarters For Conservation token booths at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Indoors, their installations have been seen at the Smokebrush Gallery and the Fine Arts Center. Their mediums are many and their themes are endless. Whether painting, playing homemade instruments, incorporating Yoga, creating two-handed drawings, or changing the way we use objects most people throw away, whatever they do is guaranteed to be exciting.
Jenyva Turner Birdwing (small) Pikes Peak Center (190 S. Cascade)	Jenyva’s two main loves of art and nature have helped guide her to the path she is on today as a graphic designer and zookeeper at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. “My biggest inspiration is nature. The textures, patterns and colors that are present everywhere in nature’s designs excite and inspire me. Working with a variety of unique animals on a daily basis also provides me with ideas and subject material for paintings and sketches. Birds seem to be a focus of mine lately. To me, there is nothing more awe-inspiring than a bird in flight. A main characteristic that birds and butterflies have in common is the wonder of flight, which led me to design Birdwing, which is also a species of butterfly found in Australasia. On my piece, you will see five species of birds represented: the vulture, crane, hornbill, swan and raven– all of which have special meaning to me.”
Ani Rose Whaleswan Elemental (large) Bancroft Park (2408 West Colorado Avenue)	Ani Rose is a mom, friend, advocate and artist.  She has always been an artist at heart, selling and showing her own work but now focusing on healing art opportunities for others, helping them to become more whole and happy people.   She believes “the most powerful force we know is, in fact, Love -- an energy of Transformation and Truth. I think one person makes all the difference, and the most important global work I can do is to constantly be working on myself. My way of acting globally is to see the world  in the person in front of me, and be with them in the best  way I  can be.”
Sally Ann Wilson Fractal Butterfly (large) Colorado Springs  Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (30 W. Dale) & Gaston Julia Butterfly (large) The Antlers Hilton, (4 S. Cascade)	Sally Ann has been a professional classical musician for most of her adult life, and it is with enthusiasm that she has returned to the other passion of her youth—the visual arts. Painting is a vehicle for personal growth for Sally, not only in technique, but also in examining the world around her and her response to that world. She states, “The intense joy that comes from completely losing myself in the painting process is a powerful experience in and of itself. When the finished painting resonates with another person, there is a joy and sense of communion that is deeply satisfying.”
Steve Wood Planet Butterfly (large) Colorado College (Cache la Poudre and Cascade)	Steve is a public artist and the director of Concrete Couch, which "builds community through creative projects.” As an artist and a teacher he engages the public in the creative process. Current projects include building and planting cold frame gardens at local schools, constructing a 14-foot pedestrian bridge with teens for a local park, and coordinating with organizations FutureSelf and Cool Science to provide a summer of free art activities for our community.   For more info on this artist: www.concretecouch.org

Templates of Butterfly Sculptures