This painting is about Shabbos as a form of metamorphosis — a quiet transformation that unfolds through light, intention, and prayer.

The Shabbos candles stand steady and grounded, marking a sacred pause in time. It is in this moment, as the flames are lit, that a mother offers her tefillos — for her children, her family, and generations yet to come. These prayers are not always spoken aloud, yet they carry immense power. They rise gently, shaping lives in ways we may never fully see.

The butterflies ascend through the canvas, drawn upward by the light. For me, they symbolize metamorphosis and spiritual growth — the ability to become something higher through love, patience, and devotion. Their upward movement reflects the way a mother’s prayers transform not only her own inner world, but the lives of those she holds in her heart.

Each butterfly is hand-crafted with genuine mother-of-pearl, and the larger forms are set with diamonds. These materials were chosen intentionally for their ability to hold and reflect light, shifting subtly as the environment changes. They echo the enduring impact of tefillah — quiet, luminous, and lasting.

The surface of the painting is layered and sealed with resin, creating a soft, radiant sheen that allows light to move across the canvas. The effect is meant to feel enveloping and elevated, inviting stillness, reflection, and presence.

This work is a visual expression of Shabbos as ascent and transformation — a reminder that a mother’s prayers, offered in love by candlelight, have the power to shape souls, redirect paths, and illuminate generations. True metamorphosis does not require force; sometimes, it begins in stillness, with a flame, a whispered prayer, and the light that follows.