Larysa Bernhardt Creates Surreal Embroidered Moths Using Velvet and Vintage Fabrics

Larysa Bernhardt has always been pulled toward the mystery of moths and butterflies. In folklore, these winged creatures carry so many meanings—sometimes light, sometimes dark—and that contradiction is what fascinates her. Funny enough, even though she worries about moths sneaking into her home and damaging her textiles, she still loves their beauty and the quiet way they move through nature.

Her artwork feels like a dream you can touch. She creates sculptural moths from vintage fabrics, velvet, and embroidery, turning them into magical, almost surreal creatures. Each one feels alive, like it could fly off the wall. It’s a mix of textile art and storytelling, where fabric becomes something more than just cloth.

What’s even more beautiful is that her process doesn’t really start in the studio—it starts in the garden. Every summer, she tends a moon garden filled with jasmine, datura, moonflower, and tobacco. At night, the white blossoms glow, pulling in luna and sphinx moths, and even thousands of fireflies. That glowing, otherworldly scene is what inspires her nature-inspired artwork and gives her moths their soft, radiant feel.

For anyone who loves unique art collectibles, handmade fabric sculptures, or butterfly wall art that doubles as luxury wall decor, Bernhardt’s creations are something special. They’re delicate, mysterious, and filled with meaning—like folklore stitched into velvet.

As morning light hits the garden, bold colors burst open—zinnias, roses, poppies. Butterflies and bees dance through it all, bringing the day alive. Artist Larysa Bernhardt sees beauty in these opposites—sun and moon, moths and butterflies, night and day. She calls it a “complex balancing act,” and that balance is at the heart of her luxury textile art.

To capture the fragile look of moth wings, Bernhardt uses velvet. It’s a stunning fabric but not an easy one. Every stitch has to be slow and careful because velvet remembers everything—even mistakes. She hand-embroiders each moth, starting with a sketch but letting instinct lead. Many of her embroidered artworks carry stars, eyes, or vases in the design, adding layers of symbolism.

She also loves rescuing forgotten textiles. Vintage needlepoints, old tapestries—pieces she finds in antique stores and gives new life to. “I love giving them another chance to be admired,” she says. And it shows. Each moth becomes a mix of whimsy, elegance, and history stitched into its wings.

Her creations feel like more than art—they’re stories woven in fabric. Perfect if you’re looking for unique wall decor, butterfly wall art, or nature-inspired home decor that’s meaningful and one-of-a-kind. For collectors, her custom art collectibles made from vintage fabric are treasures that carry both beauty and memory.

Her embroidered moths are currently featured in Daughters of Eve at Quirky Fox Gallery in New Zealand and Beyond the Sea at Nanny Goat Gallery in California. This August, she’ll exhibit with Beinart Gallery in Melbourne and is preparing for a solo show at Haven Gallery in Long Island, New York. You can explore more of her work on her website and Instagram.