In her poignant painting titled Transformation, LaShonda Scott Robinson offers more than a visual experience—she invites viewers into a deeply personal evolution. The image of a butterfly, symbolic and radiant, becomes a metaphor for the artist’s own journey toward self-love, healing, and the discovery of her true identity. Through bold visuals and layered meanings, the painting speaks to all who have ever questioned their worth, beauty, or place in the world.
From Cocoon to Color: The Butterfly as a Life Metaphor
Butterflies have long symbolized growth and change, but in Transformation, this familiar symbol becomes intimately personal. LaShonda likens her journey to that of a butterfly—starting as something unappealing and overlooked, yet evolving into something exquisite. This transformation was not just physical or aesthetic—it was emotional and spiritual. Her painting captures this movement from self-doubt to self-acceptance with grace and honesty.
Reframing Beauty: Turning Flaws into Flair
At the heart of LaShonda’s transformation was a shift in perception. During this period of reflection and growth, she began to re-evaluate what beauty meant to her. What she once considered flaws—traits that made her feel unworthy or out of place—became, instead, her unique flair. This internal shift redefined how she saw herself and, by extension, how she chose to present herself through her art. The figure in the painting, like the artist herself, embraces individuality with quiet confidence.
Wings of Pride: Claiming Space Through Self-Love
In Transformation, the butterfly emerges not timidly but with undeniable presence. It stands as a symbol of pride and self-possession. The woman in the painting, like LaShonda herself, walks boldly in her skin. Her journey has prepared her to soar. This pride is not arrogance—it is earned confidence. It is the result of surviving, healing, and choosing to love oneself despite a world that often encourages otherwise. The wings she now wears represent freedom, power, and ownership of her story.
Heritage as Healing: Understanding Identity Through Lineage
LaShonda’s work is not only influenced by personal transformation but also by a deep exploration of her heritage. After taking a DNA test, she learned her ancestry includes African, Native American, French, Welsh, German, and Swiss roots. This discovery didn’t just broaden her sense of self—it deepened her compassion for the generations of struggle, migration, and survival that created her. Her diverse background informs her art, adding complexity and richness to her visual narratives.
She paints not just one identity but many. Her work reflects a lineage shaped by trauma and resilience, sorrow and celebration. In Transformation, the wings of the butterfly can also be seen as wings of ancestors—carrying the weight of history but also the promise of flight.
Emotion as Language: Art Beyond Borders
One of the hallmarks of LaShonda’s style is her focus on body language to express emotion. She believes emotions are universal, that they transcend cultural, racial, and linguistic boundaries. This belief drives her artistic process. By focusing on posture, gesture, and stance, she creates figures that feel alive with emotion and easy to relate to—regardless of background.
Transformation speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost or hidden within themselves. It resonates because it isn’t bound by words—it is felt instinctively. Her work connects soul to soul.
The Mirror Effect: When Art Reflects the Viewer
LaShonda often says that her art is a mirror. When someone sees their own emotional truth in her work, the painting becomes a reflection of them. It’s not just her story being told—it becomes a shared story. The viewer becomes part of the artwork, not just an observer but a participant in its message. That’s the power of art created with honesty and empathy.
Transformation becomes more than an image—it becomes a personal mirror for those who stand in front of it. It reminds each viewer that change is possible, that beauty is often born from pain, and that there is strength in vulnerability.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Becoming
Through Transformation, LaShonda Scott Robinson doesn’t simply share a personal triumph—she opens a space for others to begin or honor their own. Her art is rich with symbolism, identity, and emotional resonance. It serves as a testament to the courage it takes to face yourself honestly and love what you find.
Her visual language is universal, yet unmistakably her own. Each brushstroke carries the weight of generations and the freedom of wings. And in that balance, she offers not just a painting, but an invitation—to reflect, to grow, and ultimately, to soar.
