Donna Roppolo Art

Texture, control, and absolute surrender. Every original in the Elysium series relies on heavily tactile foundations built entirely from hand-cut fabric and fractured plaster in the studio.

The background is gilded in genuine silver leaf that I have lightly oxidized to temper its brilliance, replacing harsh metallic glare with a soft, atmospheric patina. The chemical oxidation process creates unpredictable, amorphous shapes that directly inspire my compositions. It is like finding forms in the clouds; as I think about butterflies, the shapes begin to develop - emerging naturally from the background terrain.

Suspended over this treated surface, each painting maps a distinct vision. Some compositions capture the rhythmic movement of butterflies circling around, creating a portal, while others form ascending groups reaching toward heaven in a rich, matte ultramarine gouache. The outer most edges of some wings intentionally soften and gracefully dissolve - melting directly into the oxidized sky, anchored only by selective paint drips.

Swipe through to quietly inspect the structural details of this delicate dance.

Available exclusively through Avant-Art Gallery.
DM “ELYSIUM” to receive availability and pricing

Collection of my latest silver leaf fragments now available. Subtle reflections from the genuine silver capture the warm tones of butterflies emerging from the background.

Limited collection. Comment or DM for inquiries and acquisitions.

Studio manager is off on Mondays, but still hanging with mom on a late day in the studio, even when it’s past supper time.