Magical Mondrian Butterflies

When you watch nature, time seems to stand still. This is especially true when youʼre watching a monarch butterfly, which is one of the most breathtaking wonders to behold, whether you spot one in your home garden or in a spectacular show as they migrate across North America.

Like most people, I love butterflies. They are such delicate and beautiful creatures, but oddly enough, Iʼve met people who are afraid of them. My plan to use them as a theme for a collective second-grade art project relied heavily on the notion that, for most people, butterflies are elegant and magical.

It was this magical aspect of monarch butterflies that I wanted to bring into the primary school in Petal, Mississippi. The design of the monarch’s wings, with its vibrant color and black outlines, reminded me of the same beautiful yet uncomplicated abstract works created by Piet Mondrian.

Behind the Scenes
Iʼm guessing Iʼm not the only art teacher who spends numerous hours of prep time at home throughout the school year. I knew that this project would require a lot of that kind of behind-the-scenes work when I decided to have students create the biggest butterflies we could manage.

I chose cardboard for the material, so I began a search for large pieces. Boy, did I win the lottery with a local feed store! They had huge, flat pieces of cardboard that came in approximately 3 x 4' (91 x 122 cm) sections. The owner did me a real favor by saving nearly thirty cardboard sheets for my students to use in the art room.

I was excited about the cardboard and my project, but cutting out thirteen huge three-foot butterflies felt like a daunting task on top of a long to-do list. Thanks to my husband and his brilliance on the jig saw, the shapes were cut out in a matter of minutes. I used chalk to draw out the first butterfly, then we clamped the cardboard together so he could cut out all thirteen butterflies at once.

Studying Piet Mondrian
This project was great for the beginning of the school year for our second-graders. We began with a review of the elements of shape and color. Students watched a quick YouTube video about Mondrian, then we discussed his use of line, shape, and color. We made the connection that his artwork, designs, and influence can still be found in architecture, clothing, and interior designs today.

Prepping and Painting
After a great discussion recognizing how art is all around us through these elements, we began prepping our butterflies with blue painter’s tape to create sections resembling Mondrian’s artwork. Students took turns painting their own section on one side only.
One thing I would do differently is to paint the cutouts white before students start painting them. Once the tempera paint was dry, we peeled off the painter’s tape, resulting in very clean lines around the shapes. Students then took turns carefully painting black lines where the tape had been. This part developed their dexterity and accurate use of a paintbrush.

The WOW Factor
The butterflies were stunning! Students were excited to see them completed and ready to be shown. And this display would be no ordinary display for a bulletin board. Oh no, we were going to show off. For other projects we created floor-to-ceiling displays in the hallways, but our Mondrian butterflies would fly high over the main lobby.

Using spider wire, which is braided fishing line, I created a three-line suspension from the butterfly to a main line connected to the drop ceiling frame. In the classroom, these butterflies didn’t seem nearly as huge as they did when we began fitting them in different places on the ceiling, without touching, so they could “fly.” It was a workout going up and down the ladder and getting the fishing line tied correctly, but the mesmerized looks and the enthusiastic reactions from students, teachers, and parents were priceless and well worth it.