Monarch Butterfly Art

serene landscape with mountains and water
Looking from the street.  A 10 year old chinese girl watches as children crowd through the entrance gate at a private school in Kerinchi neighborhood, Kuala Lumpur.  Several teachers are also there.
At a private school in Kuala Lumpur, 10 year old Wing Sun and his friends play a game of soccer in the schoolyard.  The school's main building is visible and some teachers are looking on.  Some schoolgirls are standing nearby.
A koi pond seen from above, orange and white koi fish swimming among lily pads, clear water with subtle ripples, fallen cherry blossom petals floating on the surface, dappled sunlight
A koi pond seen from above, orange and white koi fish swimming among lily pads, clear water with subtle ripples, fallen cherry blossom petals floating on the surface, dappled sunlight
A koi pond seen from above, orange and white koi fish swimming among lily pads, clear water with subtle ripples, fallen cherry blossom petals floating on the surface, dappled sunlight
A young couple with two children stand in front of a wall-sized world map, facing the map.  The young father is interested in Africa.  The young mother is wearing a backpack and one of the children is a baby that she's carrying in her arms.
3 men and 2 women sit around a round table discussing things.  Bibles, journals, iPads and laptops cups of coffee and tea are on the table.  A window is behind them and light streams down.
Morning scene. A 10 year old chinese boy enters a train car at the platform on the MRT in Kuala Lumpur.  We see him from the back.  Other passengers are inside the train car and also waiting on the platform.
Morning scene. A 10 year old chinese girl and boy stand together talking in the schoolyard at a private school in Kerinchi neighborhood, Kuala Lumpur.  Several teachers are also there.  A circle of other children are standing off to the side playing games and comparing Pokemon cards, etc.
A koi pond seen from above, orange and white koi fish swimming among lily pads, clear water with subtle ripples, fallen cherry blossom petals floating on the surface, dappled sunlight
2 young couples with children stand in front of a wall-sized world map, facing the map.  One young father is talking to the other and they are interested in Africa.  One young mother is wearing a backpack and the other has a baby that she's carrying in her arms.  An older couple stand nearby
At his Grandmother's house in Penang, Wing Sun is seated at a table in the dining room, with the kitchen in view.  Grandmother is sitting at the table telling Wing Sun a story from the Bible.  The house is cozy, and it's raining outside.  There is an air of suspense, but Wing Sun feels safe and secure.
A koi pond seen from above, orange and white koi fish swimming among lily pads, clear water with subtle ripples, fallen cherry blossom petals floating on the surface, dappled sunlight
A koi pond seen from above, orange and white koi fish swimming among lily pads, clear water with subtle ripples, fallen cherry blossom petals floating on the surface, dappled sunlight
First century Palestine.  An evening scene on a rooftop in Bethlehem.  The summer air is warm and the evening light is soft.  Jesus, wearing ordinary clothing like most men wear, sits at a table across from a Pharisee named Nicodemus who has come to speak to the Master privately.  One or two servers stand nearby.  There is a clay pitcher and 2 drinking cups on the table.  The town is visible in the background.
First century Palestine.  Jesus walks away from the camera down a road that goes through town with several of His disciples.   Jesus wears a plain robe like most ordinary men.  The other people are dressed like peasants, farmers, and tradesmen.  There are also women in the group, wearing plain, everyday clothing.  Some children are playing near the roadside.  The Sea of Galilee shines in the far distance.
At the bustling Kuala Lumpur airport, Wing-Sun and his Mother say farewell to his father before he leaves for a six‐week business trip to London.  We see Wing Sun and his mother from the back, as Father stands on the escalator going up to his departure gate, and turns toward us to wave goodbye.  Many other passengers and children are standing around.  The airport is modern and well lit.
Inside a large office building in London, on the 5th floor, Wing Sun's father, a Chinese Malaysian man in his 30s, speaks to his counterpart in the company, and English man, about business.  Other workers are seated at their desks and standing at a copy machine.  There are some Black people, but mostly British.  One whole wall of the room is glass and we can see something of London outside.
Father and Grandmother with Siu Zi leaving their home in a Guangzhou street in the dark of night.  There is an air of secrecy. Siu Zi clutches her small bag, its contents little more than a few treasured keepsakes and faded photographs. Her father’s reassuring hand on her shoulder, and the soft presence of her grandmother at his side, give her the courage to move forward. A taxi waits down the street to take them to the train.
Unstressed vowels weakened to schwa.
The final -e in words like name became silent.
Endings like -ed and -es lost their full vowel sound, making English more rhythmically stress-timed.
6. The wh sound stayed distinct longer.
Which and witch sounded different—which started with a breathy hw. Today the pronunciation is similar but the difference remains in some dialects. create a picture withoud words
The San Gorgonio Pass, Mt. San Gorgonio) rises in the North, all hoary-frost and granite.  Snake-like clouds adorning her peak, I gaze past the big white house toward her uplifted boulders.
And at the South, Mt. San Jacinto has lost his head in cloud.  Burned bones against a blue sky backdrop.  Between the two, another sunrise gleams and beams of brilliant, white-hot day flash forth:  They accentuate the Sonora desert’s west extreme, and last night’s moon forgot to go away.
At her Mother's house in Penang, Wing Sun's mother, a beautiful chinese woman in her 30s, is standing in her bedroom looking out the window at night.  We see her from a quarter view inside the room.  She is pensive and an air of tension fills the room as she remembers growing up in this house.  Her hair is long and black, and she's wearing her housecoat.  A lantern gives low light inside the room.  It's raining outside.
At his Grandmother's house in Penang, Wing Sun is lying down on a futon in his bedroom, covered up with a beautiful lightweight quilt Grandma made.  Outside his room the rain is coming down.  In Penang, every corner of the old town—every whisper of the wind through ancient trees—seems to echo with promises of renewal and love. And as the rain softens outside, Wing-Sun closes his eyes with the comforting knowledge that every detour, every farewell, is simply a step toward a new beginning.  A lantern gives soft light to the room, and all is quiet.
First century Palestine.  Mid-morning in a rural area.  The sun is warm and the atmosphere is positive.  Jesus and His disciples walk along a country road that goes to Bethany. There are some trees shading part of the road ahead, and cultivated fields on either side of the road.  Jesus, wears ordinary clothing like most men, and He’s talking to His disciples as the walk along.  The disciples are listening intently to Jesus, and His face is kind, but intense.  A farm house sits off to one side, and the town is visible in the distance.
First century Palestine.  Jesus walks away from the camera along a road that goes through town with several of His disciples.   Jesus wears a plain robe like most ordinary men.  The other people are dressed like peasants, farmers, and tradesmen.  There are also women in the group, wearing plain, everyday clothing.  Some children are playing near the roadside.  Merchants are selling their goods in booths along the road.  There are houses along the road also.  The road goes upward toward the Temple in the far distance.
At his Grandmother's house in Penang, while the tropical rain taps softly against the window, Wing Sun, Mother and Grandmother gather in the cozy living room. The room glows with the soft light of an oil lamp, and the walls are adorned with faded photographs and delicate calligraphy. Grandmother’s eyes sparkle as she begins to speak—a voice that carries both the wisdom of her years and the tender care of someone who’s seen many seasons change.  Wing Sun is pensive with anticipation.  What will she say?
Inside an informal church in London.  Wing Sun's father has been invited to attend with his counterpart from the office.  He doesn't have anything else to do on Sunday morning, so he goes along.  we are standing in the back of the room.  There are many people of different ethnicities, the Pastor is standing up front alongside a worship leader with a guitar, and a young black woman, facing the audience.  The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, but Wing Sun's father feels a little uncomfortable.
Siu Zi is a 10 year old Chinese girl in Guangzhou. Late one humid evening, Siu Zi's father meets with a discreet man known simply as Mr. Chen.  In a quiet corner of a small teahouse near the back alleys of Guangzhou, Mr. Chen explains, in careful whispers, how he can help the family obtain the documents they needed to leave the country safely. Other patrons are in the teahouse, and a waiter stands nearby, but nobody can hear what Mr. Chen is saying.  It's safe to talk here.
Morning city scene in Petaling Jaya. A 10 year old chinese boy and his grandmother.  As they weave through the narrow sidewalk,  taxis zip by, buses screech to a halt at stoplights, motorbikes wend their way through the stopped traffic, trying to get a head start when the light turns green.  People in the informal businesses set up along the sidewalks call out greetings in a mix of Cantonese, Malay, and English. The sky, still soft with the remnants of dawn, and yet already heavy with humid heat, hinted at another sweltering afternoon ahead.
An Asian Slice
At the dark end of an alley on a moonless night,
A youth squats low to the ground, turned toward the wall with his face in his lap.  Someone might think he’s sleeping.  He’s smoking heroin.  Soon he’ll fall over and soil himself, and stay right there until dawn.

Back at the neon-lit mouth of this dark alley, 
hookers walk back and forth, hurrying to get past the alley, either for fear or because is smells so bad.  Eyelids, all painted golden, Asian whores always look like they’re made of candy.  Candy it is; but a snarling cat awaits its prey.
Inside an informal church in Kuala Lumpur.  Wing Sun and his father and mother, along with Siu Zi, his friend from school are there together.  We are standing in the back of the room, and there are many more people than there were in the London church.  There are people of different ethnicities, but mostly Chinese Malaysian.  The Pastor, a Chinese man, is standing up front speaking to the congregation, facing them.  The atmosphere is hot and sweaty, with ceiling fans running, but still welcoming, Wing Sun is happy that his family is together and also that his friend Siu Zi, who he has just learned is a Christian, can be there too.
Mr. Chen has arranged for the little family  to cross secretly into Hong Kong—a place known for its bright skyline and bustling streets. Under the cover of darkness and with careful planning, Siu Zi, her father and Grandmother, along with Mr. Chen have boarded a small boat that carries them silently across the water. The sea is calm, its surface reflecting a tapestry of starlight, as if the heavens themselves are guiding them.  Siu-Zi lies nestled between her father and grandmother, wrapped up in blankets, in the forward part of an open boat with quiet motors propelling them along. Their is an air of mystery and tension.
In Penang, Malaysia.  Wing Sun's Grandmother is elderly and lives in Penang, on the island.  Grandma's house is in a quieter part of the island, closer to the coastline where the sea breeze can be felt through the wooden windows. It's near the ocean, in Tanjung Bungah where there are old-style homes and a slower pace of life.  There are many resort "homestay" hotels, and also some high-rise condos, but Grandmother's house has been there many years.  Wing-Sun's mother grew up in that house, near the beach, with the ocean breeze.  We see the house from down the street with Grandma standing in the doorway greeting us.
Wing Sun is a 10 year old Malaysian boy. We see him from the back as he stands, looking down the street in the evening. The scent of mooncakes and burning lantern oil fills the air in the street in Petaling Jaya where Wing Sun lives.  Everything is aglow with the soft light of lanterns, their colors reflected in the puddles left by the afternoon rain.  At least 6 vendors have pulled their carts up onto the sidewalks on both sides of the street, selling moon pies and other special treats.  
Several of Wing-Sun's neighborhood friends, some younger than he and some a little older, were standing around in a circle, waiting for him to come outside.
Morning inside the classroom at a private school in Kuala Lumpur before class begins. Students stand next to their desks as the teacher, standing in front, leads them in the usual morning recitations of the five national principles, their voices blending into one:
	"Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan." (Belief in God.)
	"Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara." (Loyalty to the King and Country.)
	"Keluhuran Perlembagaan." (Supremacy of the Constitution.)
	"Kedaulatan Undang-Undang." (Rule of Law.)
	"Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan." (Courtesy and Morality.)
Wing-Sun repeats the words automatically, his eyes drift across the classroom, catching a glimpse of Siu-Zi, the new girl, standing in her usual spot near the window.
First century Jerusalem at the "gate beautiful" to the temple grounds.  Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
Inside a home in Petaling Jaya, Wing-Sun, a 10 year old Chinese boy sits cross-legged on the cool tile floor, watching the delicate tendrils of smoke rise from the joss sticks his father has just placed in the family altar’s bronze urn. The flickering candlelight casts shifting shadows over the framed portraits of the ancestors, their solemn faces gazing out from another time.
Wing-Sun's father, dressed in crisp slacks and a neatly pressed white shirt, murmurs a quiet prayer, his voice low and rhythmic. Beside him, Wing-Sun’s mother clasps her hands together in a quiet moment of respect before adjusting the jade bangle on her wrist. Their morning ritual is a quiet, practiced thing; one they perform, and Wing-Sun observes, every day.
Oil Painting Art Style, a lively scene showcasing multiple vibrant Quaker Parrots (Monk Parakeets) in crisp detail, actively perched, interacting, and flying around their extraordinary communal stick nest. The nest, a massive and intricate structure woven from countless twigs, serves as a striking backdrop, resembling a complex, multi-chambered apartment building for birds high within a large, leafy tree. The focus is primarily on the parrots themselves: their distinctive bright green plumage, grey chests, and intelligent, curious eyes are rendered with exquisite detail. Several parrots are clearly visible, their individual feathers, beaks, and expressions highlighted. The setting is bright and lively, illuminated by clear, natural sunlight, casting detailed shadows. Focus on the vibrant colors and fine feather details of the Quaker Parrots, their lively activity, and the impressive scale and texture of their communal stick nest as an integral part of their environment.
Oil Painting Art Style, a bustling scene featuring several vibrant Quaker Parrots (also known as Monk Parakeets) perched on and around their extraordinary communal nest. The nest is a massive, intricate structure built entirely from countless interwoven sticks and twigs, resembling a complex, multi-chambered apartment building for birds, integrated high within the sturdy branches of a large, leafy tree. Each visible entrance or chamber suggests multiple pairs of parrots coexisting. The Quaker Parrots themselves, with their distinctive green plumage, grey chests, and bright eyes, are actively flying to and from, bringing more sticks, or observing their bustling community. The setting is bright and lively, illuminated by clear, natural sunlight, casting detailed shadows and highlighting the texture of the sticks and feathers. Focus on the architectural complexity and scale of the stick nest, the industrious activity of the parrots, and the vibrant green and grey colors of the birds against the natural backdrop.
Oil Painting Art Style, a breathtakingly majestic and regal portrait of "The Queen in Gold of Ophir," inspired by Psalm 45. The Queen stands with impeccable grace and royal dignity, her posture radiating quiet power. She is adorned in an exquisitely elaborate gown woven entirely from the finest, purest gold of Ophir, shimmering with incredible richness. Her attire is intricately embellished with countless precious jewels—sapphires, rubies, and emeralds—each catching the light. A delicate yet regal golden crown rests upon her head, complementing her serene and noble expression. The setting is a grand, opulent royal palace chamber, with rich tapestries and polished marble, bathed in warm, golden, ambient light that dramatically illuminates her and her lavish garments. Focus on the unparalleled brilliance and texture of her golden gown, the sparkle of her jewels, her majestic presence, and the luxurious, sacred atmosphere befitting a queen in God's presence.
Oil Painting Art Style, a tender and protective scene featuring a small, close-knit flock of magnificent Blue Hyacinth Macaws gathering for roosting at dusk. On a sturdy branch of a tall palm tree within an open woodland, a mother Hyacinth Macaw is prominently depicted, gently extending a wing to cover a smaller, younger macaw nestled securely beneath her. The macaws, with their incredibly vibrant, deep blue plumage and striking yellow eye rings, are nestled closely together, their bodies positioned to evoke a powerful sense of being 'covered' and finding 'refuge' under a protective wing. The soft, fading twilight glow illuminates their feathers with a deep, iridescent sheen and casts gentle, lengthening shadows. The surrounding natural environment is rendered in muted, dusky tones of green and purple, creating a tranquil atmosphere of safety and secure communal rest. Focus on the exquisite detail of the macaws' feathers and tender facial expressions, particularly the mother and young, the profound warmth and security of their huddle, and the peaceful, protective mood inspired by their collective refuge.