Mama Bear
I feel like a mama bear just coming out of her burrow after a long hibernation. I've been spending this winter season being very creative and reflecting on my art from the past several months. I'm very excited to share what I've been up to!
Mid-winter is the time that the sun warms the ground enough that mama bears come out of their hibernation. Every other winter they give birth to cubs during the darkest time of the year - reminding us that these dark times can be ripe with fertility. Now they emerge and search out the first foods of late winter. Apparently, Bear Garlic is one that comes up this time of year and is a digestive aid for bears. Bears care for their cubs for 18 months and during their fertile years, they give birth every other winter.
I have adorned a few women's pregnant bellies with bears, and this morning I looked back through my files to find this mama from 2018... her sweet bear cub must be turning 7 this year. I feel so grateful for all the women I've had the chance to get to know over the 20+ years of my henna art. It's been such a blessing in my life to honor women in this way.
#bellyhenna #coloradohenna #pregnancyart #babybumplove #pregnantbelly #freestyle #nostencil #hennapro #womensart #coloradomamas
Start Fresh, 2025
It’s a new year, let’s start fresh!
My name is SarahKate Butterworth and I am an artist that is passionate about empowering women with #bodyart and photography.
- I specialize in pregnancy henna and have hundreds of designs to scroll through on my website on my page for pregnancy:
- I have been adorning pregnant models to create #pregnancyart with #henna and #photography since 2008
- I am seeking pregnant models due in 2025 to be adorned with henna and photographed, check out my page on modeling to see if it’s a fit for you
- I also adorn women for many other reasons, marking birthdays and new chapters, honoring life stages that are fleeting, like breastfeeding henna.
- I will never reach out to you in DM or ask for money
- I prefer direct contact if you would like to schedule a henna session in my home studio in Boulder, Colorado (or schedule a house call). Simply text or email:
303-345-1516
- I am an artist at heart and enjoy many forms of creative expression: journaling, drawing, collaging, dancing, singing, making music and much more.
Take screenshots of my art and let them inspire you! The more art #honoringmothers the better!
#hennaartist #localartist #coloradoartist #meetthemaker #creativewomen #artsymama
Winter Break
I love taking a break in the winter to be somewhere warm and allow new art inspiration to flow through me. These often take the form of ink drawings/doodles in my journal or sketches with pencil.
This art style is a unique blend of the many styles I’ve seen and explored over the course of my life including #linedrawing, #zentangle and #hennastyle.
While I do love the process of creating art this way, to me, the highest form of my art is to turn these drawings and sketches into henna designs that honor pregnancy.
#hennaartist #localartist #coloradoartist #meetthemaker #creativewomen #artsymama
Ocean creatures
When Stephanie wrote and said she was most attracted to moon and whale designs, I felt a wave of excitement. I had recently sketched a moon and whale idea and was thrilled for the opportunity to put it on a belly.
There’s something so special about celebrating a woman’s pregnancy, creating a sacred space together for the art with intentions. I never tire of it.
As the design unfolded and the details came through, I found myself enjoying adding the extra creatures: there’s a seahorse, jellyfish and crab in this design.
This was one of my last henna sessions before my winter break, and by the time we finished the sun had already set. All the photos are from inside my studio.
Tree of Life and sunflower
Tammy was one of the last mamas I adorned before my winter break, and there was a little snow on the ground when we stepped out for photos in the backyard.
I love hearing women’s requests for designs, it often inspires me to create a sketch or 2 ahead of time. Tammy asked for sunflowers and the Tree of Life.
As the design unfolded on her belly, I heard the story of her journey into motherhood. For some women it is a long journey with many trials and plot twists. The call to become a mother is very strong in some women, they will do anything. It’s such an amazing feeling to bear witness to their stories, and create the rite of passage that they long for.
Dragon Twins
This beautiful mama is pregnant with twins during the year of the dragon! I had sketched out a few ideas for dragons, and she chose these butterfly-ish dragons I’d drawn. Also, lotus and mushroom found their way into the design.
10 years of mother-daughter henna
I first met Stacey in 2014 when she came to celebrate her pregnancy with henna. It was a cold February day but we did get outside for some photos when the henna was peaking in color.
In 2014 I was working on an art project that not only included pregnancy henna but also postpartum henna and breastfeeding henna. Stacey was so wonderful to work with and she was happy to return for more henna and photos. Every time I needed models, she volunteered.
Postpartum henna, breastfeeding henna, mother daughter henna… over 10 modeling sessions with hundreds of photos taken.
It has been so sweet to see her daughter grow up and get to adorn her too! I love how I get to know so many amazing women through my work, and the chance to witness their daughters grow up is just so precious.
This past fall when Fiona (of @FionaRosePhotography) and I started working together, I wanted to have a mother-daughter session and once again, Stacey and her daughter were excited to participate.
Sun and moon was the henna theme for their session. Here’s a photo of me adorning Stacy’s daughter in my art studio in Boulder - The Green Cauldron.
After adornment, Fiona snapped this one of them laying down, and then they went out on an adventure together and she captured so many sweet moments between this mother and daughter.
Scroll through Fiona’s Instagram @FionaRosePhotography
Or visit her website
Mother to be and Grandmother to be
Sumer and her mom came to the Green Cauldron to celebrate her pregnancy. Together they drank tea while Sumer sat in the henna throne to be adorned. She had requested several things, including a mandala and columbine. She said she liked designs that are whimsical and flowy.
The henna started to flow into this flowery design, which took about 90 minutes to apply. Afterwards I snapped a few photos in my studio, just before Fiona arrived.
I’ve been working with @FionaRosePhotography, and she has done a remarkable job of capturing both the joy of new mamas and the beauty of the henna adornment. Sumer, her mom, and Fiona went on a fun photography adventure and these outstanding photos were the result!
3 days later Sumer returned with her partner. She went on another photo adventure with @FionaRosePhotography and even more magical photos came from that! I am blown away with the beauty Fiona captured with her camera.
Scroll through Fiona’s Instagram @FionaRosePhotography
Or visit her website
Heart-centered
This beautiful mama had a number of requests, but the one that pulled at me and inspired me the most was hearts. She shared that she used to draw hearts on herself as a self love ritual and a way to get out of her head and into her heart. I was also able to incorporate some of her other requests for a lotus, birds and flowers.
The process took about 2 hours, including discussing the design, changing into goddess wear, the adornment, and the photos in my backyard.
Robin returned to my studio a few days later to pick out another outfit and be photographed again by Fiona (@FionaRosePhotography). The two of them went out on a little adventure and I love these gorgeous images that came through!
Scroll through Fiona’s Instagram @FionaRosePhotography
Or visit her website
Tropical sunset
When I first asked Myndi if she had any design ideas, she said would enjoy anything that focuses on peace and femininity. After she arrived in my studio, I showed her some sketches I’d been working on and she was drawn to this tropical scene I’d sketched out. She had a special request for a turtle once she realized she wanted something watery. I love how it turned out!
She returned a few days later when the henna was peaking in color… gorgeous!
Fiona and SarahKate
Meet my friend Fiona!
I first met Fiona at a Red Tent Ceremony that was part of an annual women’s gathering called Red Earth https://www.redearthherbalgathering.com/
(join me this year! August 1-3rd, 2025 in Carbondale, Colorado)
The following year she was the photographer at Red Earth and has been the photographer for the past 2 gatherings. This past summer I decided to take her up on her offer for Goddess Photography during the women’s gathering, and I am so pleased that I did.
Fiona just has this way about her, she brings out the goddess in every woman with her genuine joy and encouragement.
This was the year I turned 50 and I decided to make it special in a number of ways… one of them was giving myself special henna for my birthday, and another was having Fiona come and photograph the event.
Fiona and I collaborated on a few photoshoots with some of my models from 2024, and I could not be more pleased with how they turned out! She is so gifted at capturing the true essence of women as well as finding the most gorgeous photo locations.
See more of this photoshoot celebrating Sumer’s pregnancy! She is photographed with both her mom and husband.
See more of this photoshoot with Robin, honoring her pregnancy.
And see more of these photos with Stacey and her daughter and their sweet mother-daughter henna experience. Stacey first modeled for me when she was pregnant with her daughter, and returned several times for breastfeeding henna and more mother-daughter henna experiences. I love getting to know women throughout their motherhood journey, it’s such a special time in their lives.
If you desire incredible photography, I encourage you to make an appointment with @FionaRosePhotography to photograph you either right after henna adornment OR 2 or 3 days after henna adornment.
Scroll through her Instagram @FionaRosePhotography
Or visit her website
Photography
I love to photograph my art, that’s why every pregnancy session includes a brief, complimentary photo session.
Also, if I don’t photograph my art, I will never see it again! I love looking back on all the art I’ve created over the years and consider it to be a treasure.
I hear stories of how women will pull up the pregnancy pictures I sent them on their phone to share with other pregnant women, to encourage them to come see me.
My photography process has changed through the years.
CURRENT PHOTOGRAPHY OFFERINGS
When you come for a pregnancy session, I will finish our time together by capturing the moment with photos in my home studio. These are all taken with my cell phone.
If the weather cooperates, then we will also take some in my back yard. Every session includes 4 finished, watermarked images that can be printed and shared as the client/model sees fit. They are also available as high quality, full resolution images that are ready to print, for $50 each.
If you desire more photos, let me know and we’ll spend an extra 20 minutes or so photographing you and any guests you’ve brought with you. A photo package includes 20 finished photos, no watermark, ready to print, for $500 (does not include the cost of henna adornment).
In addition to these fresh henna photo shoots, I do offer photography when the henna is peaking in color (on day 2 or 3) for breastfeeding henna sessions. The henna adornment is done without the baby present and takes an hour or two. The the mom and baby return for a photo session in my studio and backyard, about 30 minutes. A photo package includes 20 finished photos, no watermark, ready to print, for $500 (does not include the cost of henna adornment).
If you desire more photography, I encourage you to make an appointment with @FionaRosePhotography to photograph you either right after henna adornment OR 2 or 3 days after henna adornment.
Hummingbird and ladybug
I adorned Neala for her pregnancy in 2022 and it was so lovely to connect again with her for her 2nd pregnancy this fall. She let me know ahead of time that she wanted a hummingbird to be part of the design, and when she arrived in my studio she found she was interested in a moon design I'd drawn, and also requested a ladybug. Afterwards we stepped outside and photographed her in my backyard in all its glorious autumn colors.
#boulderhenna #prenatalhenna #hennabellyblessing #pregnancyart #coloradohenna #hennabelly #bellyhenna #hummingbird #ladybug #moon
Magnolia flowers
Allie asked for a design with magnolia flowers and left the rest up to me. I had a lot of fun creating this unique composition! While I adorned her, a friend of hers took care of her little boy, who joined us at the end of the session for some photos. What a cutie!
#boulderhenna #prenatalhenna #hennabellyblessing #pregnancyart #coloradohenna #hennabelly #bellyhenna #magnolia
A Rose for her daughter
Jessica came in to honor her 3rd pregnancy with henna and requested several elements - a mandala, mountains, and a rose for her daughter - whose full name includes Rose, a namesake of one of her ancestors. She sat on the Henna Throne and I adorned her for about 2 hours. Afterwards we slipped outside and I took some photographs of her in our backyard.
She returned a couple days later with her whole family for more photos. The natural henna tattoo, also called a henna stain, takes 2 or 3 days to oxidize and get to its darkest color, which varies person to person. I love to see my art in this stage! I got to meet her 2 adorable little boys who were so sweet.
#henna #hennabelly #pregnancyart #boulderhenna #mandala #honoringmothers #natualhennastain #pregnancyphotography
Henna House call
It's really special when I get to adorn a mama for 3 pregnancies. Her two young daughters were bouncing all around me as I created the art to honor this pregnancy. The little one inside - girl or boy? who knows - was quite lively! I really love painting on an active canvas! It's magical to feel the baby inside moving.
This was a housecall, and the mama just sat with her feet up on her sofa while I adorned her. Shortly after I began, several friends and their children arrived to have a party to celebrate her upcoming birth and make guesses about the timing and gender of the newest member of their family. Her home was filled with joyful laughter, cupcakes and children running about.
Afterwards I adorned a few guests with henna, and then photographed the pregnant mama in her backyard near her garden. Such a beautiful summer day!
#hennabelly #bellyhenna #denverhenna #denvermama #coloradohenna #pregnancyhenna #hennabellyblessing #pregnancyart #mandala
Breastfeeding Art
I love celebrating mothers, honoring their rites of passage with art and photography. Many women have come to me to commemorate breastfeeding over the years. It involves 2 sessions, one to receive a henna adornment, one with the baby for nursing photos.
Baby Yetzi
One of my favorite parts of my work as a henna artist that celebrates pregnancy is seeing a mother's most extraordinary creation - her baby. This dear one, Yetzi (Yetzmari), was just 6 weeks old and absolutely precious.
I met Chelsea when I adorned her for her pregnancy, honoring her 5th baby. She loved the idea of capturing the blessing of breastfeeding with art and photos, and told me she'd be in touch after the baby was born. She contacted me after the birth and we scheduled 2 session, one for henna, one for breastfeeding photos. When she arrived for her henna application she showed me a remarkable video of her giving birth to her daughter in her bedroom. I love to hear birth stories, and hers was no exception. I listened in awe as I adorned her with flowers and vines.
A couple days later she returned with her dear baby and the rest of her family as well. While she was getting ready, I had the privilege of holding dear baby Yetzi. There is nothing like holding a newborn angel! I love getting a sweet little baby blessing.
We took photos in the studio and outside. My backyard is pretty private, so it was easy to spend time out there in the pleasantly warm weather. It's a little chaotic with 5 children! I did get some sweet shots.
See more of my breastfeeding art throughout the years:
https://www.sarahkatebutterworth.com/blog-1-1/breastfeeding-art
#boulderhenna #coloradoart #breastfeedingart #nursinghenna #henna #breastfeedingportrait #motherhoodart #naturalhennastain #bouldercolorado
Deer henna design
It's magical how things all come together sometimes! The morning before I adorned Leela, I saw a mama and baby deer out in our backyard. I spent quite a bit of time admiring them and attempting to photograph them without scaring them away. They often take refuge here because there aren't any dogs nearby.
Then I signed on to Facebook and saw Monet's post about the henna design that I created for her in 2016 that included a family of deer. She wrote "The night before Lucy was born we saw a baby deer prancing through a field by our house. I had four deer drawn on my belly as deer symbolize gentleness and intuition, as well as fertility. The lotus flower has long symbolized rebirth and divinity."
That afternoon Leela arrived for her henna pampering session and told me she wanted a buck to be the focus of her design. She revealed this magnificent story of how she had seen a buck just outside her window at the very beginning of her pregnancy. She went on to tell more of the story of the conception and the deep meaning behind seeing the deer. It was magical to hear! This is a big part of why I love adorning pregnant mamas - they often have incredible stories about how the child came to them, in symbols, in dreams, in the form of animals.
Leela returned a few days later for more photos with her family and we had a lot of fun! Her daughter clearly enjoyed throwing rose petals.
This wasn't the first time I met Leela, I actually adorned her for her first pregnancy! Dandelion was featured in that design.
#pregnantgoddess #motherdaughter #deer #pregnancyart #motherdaughter #boulderhenna #coloradohenna #bellyhenna #motherblessing
Dancing through pregnancy
Deb grew up in India, where henna is a significant part of every occasion. She expressed a desire to celebrate her pregnancy and enjoy the cooling effect of henna during the hot Colorado summer. Lowering the body temperature is one of henna's medicinal qualities, in addition to being soothing to the nerves.
She practices the Indian classical dance form - Bharatnatyam - and asked for a dancer to be incorporated in her design. I loved learning about this Indian dance, it's such an incredible expression of grace and joy. Tree of life, hamsa and paisley were other design requests.
I had a few ideas ready when she arrived and sat in the Henna Throne. The henna application took about 1 1/2 hours and then we stepped outside and snapped some beautiful photos. Deb brought a wonderful selection of her own blouses, which really inspired me.
A few days later Deb returned with her 3 year old daughter, and we took more photographs. So many sweet moments of joy! What a pleasure to capture these in photographs. I had to laugh at the end when her daughter said she didn't want to leave - it's something that little people often say at the end of a visit to my Art Studio: The Green Cauldron. It warms my heart that I've created such a safe place for women and children.
#babybumpart #coloradohenna #boulderhenna #pregnancyart #hennabelly #motherdaughter #Bharatnatyam #Treeoflife #hamsa #paisley