Cairns Birdwing Butterfly
By Mandy Heck
Published Issue 123, March 2024
Mandy used Prismacolor colored pencils to draw this Cairns Birdwing, orthoptera euphorion. Check out her live drawing process of this beautiful creature on her Instagram.
Mandy Heck of Abundance Illustration lived in the valley of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska. Her studio overlooked the breathtaking Thunder Mountain. She saw eagles, ravens, and even sometimes black bear from her studio window. So needless to say, all her art is made from a place of abundance and wonder.
She’s been an artist all her life and though has worked with many mediums, she LOVES colored pencils. All her original framed drawings, card designs, tote bags, buttons and magnets were all made from her original colored pencil illustrations. She loves capturing the personality in each of her animal drawings as she sees humans and animals as equals: We are all in this together.
Mandy feels a deep connection to the land, the sea, and the wildlife in Southeast Alaska despite living in 6 U.S states and the British Virgin Islands. She now resides Manitou Springs, Colorado.
She more of her work on Instagram and snag prints and other artwork on Etsy.
Check out Mandy’s last Birdy install, Polar Bear, in case you missed it, or head to our Explore section to see more of her work.