Dear Beloved 

This vibrant painting by Dave Macdowell places us in a realm where symbols converge and transform. The figure evokes Alice, from "Alice in Wonderland," her gaze lifted toward a kaleidoscope of butterflies—an archetypal symbol of metamorphosis and the soul's journey. Butterflies swarm a "Misfits" t-shirt—an emblem of rebellion. Here, we see the butterfly, historically associated with Psyche and resurrection, entwined with modern subculture. This juxtaposition mirrors the alchemical process, where disparate elements combine, hinting at something greater. The figure kneels within a pentagram. Once a symbol of protection, the pentagram has undergone various interpretations throughout history. Here, it adds a layer of enigmatic questioning: Is this a ritual, a transformation, or a deeper exploration of self? The combination of symbols elicits a profound emotional response, tapping into our collective memory of transformation and the eternal dance between darkness and light. This image, charged with symbolic weight, invites us to ponder the ever-evolving meanings we assign to our world and the emotional forces that shape our understanding.