"Butterflies, Scarabs, and Secrets tells the almost mythical story of Clayton Dougherty, a talented young traveler who interpreted the world's otherness (the bombardment of the strange we so often take for granted) in hidden works of art. With intrigue, humor, and a new assignment of meanings, Dougherty quietly built a world that he could understand. At his death, his mother discovered her beloved son's artistic accomplishments tucked in the pages of his 2,000 books. Journey with him, through his mother's eyes, in this biography of a secret artist. Through drawings, collages, and art boxes - lovingly gathered - experience the marvelous mysterious works of Clayton Blair Dougherty."--Publisher website