The Great Purple Emperor, also known as the Japanese Emperor, is native to Japan, Korean Peninsula, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. In 1957 the Great Purple Emperor was named the national butterfly of Japan. The are most often found in the upper canopies of the forests, coming down to feed or find salt sources which it prefers over sweet flowers unlike most species. The purple emperor is very protective of it's air space and will often dive and chase off other butterflies. The Great Purple Emperor is an original artwork and measures approximately 7.4 x 6.5". Each vintage inspired artwork starts among the sketchbook pages, literred with hand writte notes and research that dive into the mytology, meaning, and stories of each of her subjects. From the sketch phase each artwork is transferred onto hot press watercolor paper to begin the stages of her process. Light layers of graphite and watercolor are then layered to create the vintage feeling that is seen. Erica Catherine dreams of her art being cherish for many years, ideally becoming heirlooms passed through generations.