REBIRTH by artist Ulla Anobile

Paper mache, acrylics, 9 1/4" x 8 1/2"

Via Ulla: The butterfly is an obvious symbol of rebirth, as it emerges from a cocoon to fly off as a beautiful winged creature. I only realized after I had painted the bluish and pinkish veins that they could be seen as arteries and veins serving the emerging life.

The cocoon-like form also resembles a mummy, doesn't it? I left the features purposely indistinct, to indicate a not-quite-yet-there state.

I put little stepstools in the bottom corners to aid the person being reborn in her ascent. The flowers and sprouts indicate an awakening life. I also put stepstools and boundaries into the air, but they are somewhat hidden.