Larysa Bernhardt Creates Surreal Embroidered Moths Using Velvet and Vintage Fabrics

Larysa Bernhardt is drawn to the mystery and symbolism of moths and butterflies in folklore. She says these winged creatures carry deep, often contradictory meanings, which makes them fascinating. Even though she worries about certain moths damaging her textiles at home, she still loves their beauty and the way they live in nature.

Bernhardt creates sculptural moths from vintage fabrics and velvet, carefully embroidered to look magical and surreal. Her process starts in the garden, not the studio. Every summer, she cares for a moon garden filled with fragrant plants like jasmine, datura, moonflower, and tobacco. These white blossoms glow at night, attracting luna and sphinx moths, along with thousands of fireflies. This natural setting is a big part of what inspires her soft, glowing artwork.

As morning light fills the garden, bold colors bloom—zinnias, roses, and poppies attract butterflies and bees, bringing life to the daytime. Artist Larysa Bernhardt finds beauty in this balance of opposites: sun and moon, moths and butterflies, night and day. She calls it a “complex balancing act” that deeply inspires her work.

To reflect the soft, delicate look of moth wings, Bernhardt uses velvet, a luxurious but challenging fabric. Every stitch must be made with care, as velvet’s surface holds any mistakes. She embroiders each moth by hand, starting with a sketch, but letting her instincts guide her. Her designs often include stars, symbolic eyes, and vases, adding deeper meaning to each piece.

Bernhardt also collects vintage needlepoints and old tapestries, giving forgotten textiles a new life. “I find them in antique stores and love giving them another chance to be admired,” she says. Her creations blend whimsy, elegance, and historical texture, making them truly unique.

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.