This painting was inspired by the special bond between my mom and her sister. Growing up, my mom’s siblings affectionately called her “Dubug,” and my aunt always associated ladybugs as a symbol of her presence. It became a small but meaningful connection—one that kept their sisterly love alive.
Music was a shared passion between them, so I subtly wove musical notes into the background. The ladybug rests on a flower, a symbol of my mom’s enduring love. She adored her garden, tending to it the very morning before she left us. Flowers remind me of her warmth, her care, and the love that continues to bloom even in her absence.
I often don’t realize why I’m drawn to certain subjects until later, and this painting was no exception. While it began as a tribute to my mom and aunt, I also found myself reflecting on the deeper symbolism of ladybugs. They represent luck, protection, renewal, and transformation—reminders that change is part of life’s natural rhythm. Just as the seasons shift from the darkness of winter to the hopeful bloom of spring, we, too, move through cycles of loss and rebirth.
Ironically, I never used to paint nature. I was always drawn to faces and the emotions they held. But recently, I’ve come to see nature as a storyteller in its own right. It teaches us patience, resilience, and the necessity of rest. That brighter days always return. Transformation, though sometimes painful, can lead to new beginnings.
And just like the ladybug, small but mighty, we each play a role in this vast, interconnected world.
All that meaning from one tiny ladybug on a daisy.
