A Mural of My Own!

On By ResaIn Nick Sweetman, Roof Top Art

Look at this gorgeous Monarch with 3 Burners.

Nick Sweetman did the Monarch. He even put a crown on it.

This beautiful, yet heart rending poem is written by the fabulous Holly from House of Heart and reproduced here with her permission.

THE MONARCH

From my swing

I spot the Monarch

sipping from a nectary,

gently I snare him

by his dew drenched wings.

I wonder if he knows

his fate lies in my hands.

Clutched between my fingers

imagine how his heart pounds.

                      © Holly Rene Hunter

19 years ago, there were clouds of Monarchs during migration season. 5 years ago, I did not see even 1 Monarch. So, 4 years ago we planted Milkweed in the back yard. It is the only plant Monarchs lay eggs in.

I’d also heard that they are attracted to their own colours, and colours of the Milkweed. Ours is green and orange. It took until this summer to get the painting organized. I’m pleased to say that I saw about 50- 100 Monarchs this year.

The Burners represent the sky, a sunset and the green earth. By: #tensoe2 #ctr #2hel.

Pics taken by Resa – 2019

Toronto, Canada

The wall was constantly being tagged. This is what it looked like before the painting.

The best is; since the Burners were painted…not 1 tag!

96 thoughts on “A Mural of My Own!”

  3. Monarchs are dominating my day today. I had one land on my shoulder this morning.
    Hours later, I read a beautiful piece about a monarch, I believe it was on Holly’s blog.
    Now this gorgeous thing.

    Deserves to have a crown. Bravo to the artist.

    1. Sweet about the Monarch on your shoulder! I think anytime something wild likes you, it’s a good sign.
      Having said that, I hope no cockroaches like me any time soon.
      Holly’s Monarch poem is very rich, which is why I feel so fortunate she allowed me to use it here.
      Nick Sweetman is an amazing artist. Lol, in some ways he should have a crown.

  4. This is so gorgeous Resa. Sweetman’s art is beautiful and now this just for you! I’m so glad your milkweed is attracting the Monarchs. I really must plant some! Thank you for honoring me by pairing my poem with this amazing wall art. 💞💞🦋🦋

    1. Thank you, Holly! Please, do plant some Milkweeds!
      I adore your poetry. Your poem “The Monarch” is so perfect for this post, that I have no words.
      I have no idea what will happen to the beautiful animals of this earth (like Tide & Mr. B.) nor the humans.
      I do know that your poetry moves the beauty in my soul, and I believe in many others who read it. xoxo

      1. Thank you Resa, if there ever was a beautiful soul it is yours! I’m so glad you have this beautiful wall art to brighten your day. You really got some great shots of the mural. Thanks again for using my poem it seems to go well here. xoxo

        1. Your poem is perfect here.
          So, this post draws attention to the plight of the Monarchs.
          Your poem makes it personal, for the Monarch. We are massive monsters to this heavy weight gossamer.

  5. "Lightning" Ellen

    Beautiful tribute to a beautiful butterfly! I miss seeing them around. Wish there was something I could do to help change the sad state of our environment 😦

  6. Pingback: Graffiti Lux and Murals – House of Heart

  7. Hyperion

    Wonderful story Resa. I like that you did something to bring the Monarchs back and immortalized them in the painting and your photography. And my, how Ms. H’s poem resonates with the images. 🦋🏆

      1. Hyperion

        I think you and Ms. H should wear superhero outfits while rescuing us, your fanatical followers, with spellbinding poetry and art.

          1. Hyperion

            Yes, you and Ms H would look super cool in capes and I bet you could design and make them. Then all the superheroes over at Marvel will be jealous. Dang, I’m already jealous. 😁

              1. Hyperion

                It really is such a fun read when you have your blogoteer friends in on the story. There is real magic there and it is beautiful to see. It always makes my day.

  12. Oh…… this is so beautiful through and through!!!!! The crowned Monarch and Holly’s poem….. Made my day!!!! Sadly my milkweed didn’t do well this summer so I haven’t seen those beautiful beings this year, something I look forward to every year, so I have one more reason to love this post!!!! Love to you, Holly, and N. Sweetman and his Monarch! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

    1. What happened to the Milkweed? Was it a dry year?
      I’m so happy we did this. There have been more Monarchs this year, and I’m hoping for a better year next year.
      Holly’s poem is stellar. I adore her work. Nick Sweetman is an amazing artist!
      xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo -H- xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

      1. I don’t know why… maybe it needed a bigger pot… for years I had the same watering settings do I doubt it had to do with that. I could see it wasn’t doing well from the beginning of summer. I see however some weeds growing instead… maybe they were rooting all this time and eating up its space… Sad, as I loved to watch the process/transformation of the monarch. As a caterpillar chewing up all the milkweed leaves, to chrysalis to a beautiful butterfly…
        Both your works are stellar! …and yes, NS is truly amazing! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

        1. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
          Ah… we planted ours right in the soil, not a pot. Every year a couple of babies pop up. Not all of them make it, but we have about 6 clustered together, like a bush!

          1. I’ve had mine for 5 years and this was the first year this happened, however, I’ve not given up hope! One day I hope we get to live in a house with a garden so I can plant all my plants in the soil! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

  14. Absolutely gorgeous, Resa! My story is the same about Monarchs. We used to see them in clouds. Then none. This year I’ve seen Monarchs all over the place. We used to have milkweeds on our wild part of our land …. I’ll have to investigate if perhaps they are now growing in another place on our property. I do know that Monarchs are coming here due to me planting flowers that attract them. This post put a huge lump in my throat!

    1. The Milkweeds must be somewhere nearby!
      We so have to support our wildlife. Many people are trying, but it seems like not enough.
      I’m really imperfect. I know how I care and try, but I think the evolution of tech and humanity is perhaps beyond our caring abilities.
      You are a rose!

      1. Resa darling, we can only do what we humanly can. If I looked at the bigger picture and at the advancement of technology and the decline of the human species overall, I would stop trying. I just know I’m doing my best. If it proves not to be enough, then that is what will be. Yet I shall know I did my best, gave it my all, and to hell with everything else. Yep. That about says it!

  19. That’s one majestic Monarch, and the crown is a nice touch. Thanks for sharing, Resa, as always 🙂 Holly’s poem in just a few words contains so much awe, curiosity and power, and that wonderful line – ‘sipping from a nectary’ is as intoxicating as it must feel to do exactly just that.

  22. You’ve topped all the spray can artists—GOOD. With permission of the building’s owner may I assume? This poetess, Holly, of House of Heart, is pretty amazing, isn’t she? My heart would throb, too! 😀

      1. Art on buildings by permission is real class! ❤ so unlike most of the "tagging" that goeth on! I've tried to compare my work with Holly's but she won't let me. Totally different styles, but the same kind of creative heart throbbing within! 😀

  24. What a beautiful post, Resa. Butterflies are so special, we had a lot at the end of Summer, Granny and I love to watch them. We planted a lot to attrack Butterflies, but we don’t have Milkweed… yet but it’s on the list now😺Pawkisses for a Happy Monday🐾😽💞

    1. OMG! I’m very happy Milkweed is on your list for next summer. It might take a couple of years, and then you will have Monarch friends. Pawkisses! 🐾😽💞🐾😽💞

  26. A wonderful piece. The crown is well deserved by the Monarch, and Holly’s poem meets the painting like it was done by her too. Thank you for sharing, Resa. Hope you had a great weekend, and will have a fantastic week too. Michael 🙂

  28. Beautiful Resa. 25 years ago or so we went to visit the Monarch sanctuary in Mexico. It was… out of this world. Sadly their habitat has been cut to shreds. Mainly due to clandestine tree-cutting. Sigh.

  29. Incredible transformation of a dismal wall! I guess your Monarch is going to stay there for long. Life is wonderful with butterflies, poems, and art. Thank you, Nick Sweetman, Holly, and Reesa.

  30. I smile every time I see a butterfly or a ladybug – I just can’t seem to help it! Terrific that there haven’t been any tags since this one went up. I love the bright colors too 🙂 And Holly’s poem is a lovely complement to the painted art, Resa!

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