For sale on http://www.saatchiart.com/lauraartist68
Title: Whisper of the Star Moth
Artist: Laura Bernardeschi Nelson
Medium: Oil Pastels on Paper
Materials: Professional oil pastels on heavyweight acid-free paper
Dimensions:
- Artwork Size: 36 x 38 cm
- Framed Size: 46 x 36 cm
Framed: Yes – sold framed as shown
Finish: Sealed with archival matte varnish for preservation
Signed: Signed on front and back
Certificate of Authenticity: Included
Description
Whisper of the Star Moth emerges from a dreamlike realm where reality and reverie intertwine. A cosmic creature—part insect, part spirit—spreads its intricate spiral wings across a swirling violet sky. The background pulses with motion and energy, like a storm of dreams caught mid-breath. This surreal figure floats not in a defined space, but in something vaster: the subconscious, the ether, the ever-turning spiral of transformation.
Delicate trails of light crisscross the surface, suggesting both motion and stillness, echo and emergence. Flecks of white stardust dot the background like whispers from another galaxy. Red orbs nestle within the wing-like curls, perhaps seeds of memory, perhaps stars newly born. What is it—a moth, a butterfly, a guardian of night? Only the imagination knows.
With each swirl, this piece invites the viewer into a silent conversation with the unknown, the mystical, the not-yet-formed.
Artist’s Statement
I didn’t plan this image—it arrived. I followed the curves and let the colors lead. It became what it wanted to be: an entity of its own, somewhere between shadow and light, with wings that know secrets. I often create in this intuitive space, where shapes suggest stories and meanings emerge after the marks are made.
Oil pastels are perfect for this kind of work. They allow me to layer mood upon movement, to carve light from color, and to lose myself in the act of creation. The spirals reflect a personal language of growth, chaos, and order.
Emotional Tone
Whisper of the Star Moth holds an energy of mystery, stillness, and transformation. It speaks to the inner world, to dreams remembered just after waking, and to the beauty found in the undefined. There’s a quiet strength in the center, and a sense of wonder in the wings. It feels like standing on the edge of something ancient and unknowable.
Technique & Materials
Created with professional-grade oil pastels on heavyweight acid-free paper, the piece uses layering, blending, and textural contrast to build depth and movement. The final work is sealed with an archival matte varnish to ensure color longevity and surface protection.
Styling Suggestions
This enigmatic piece invites reflection and wonder. It suits serene and meditative spaces such as studios, reading nooks, or bedrooms. Display it where it can be contemplated—above a writing desk, near a cozy armchair, or on a gallery wall paired with other dreamlike or abstract works. Complements soft lighting, deep hues, and natural textures like wood and stone.
Laura Bernardeschi Nelson artworld and travels 