Several times over the last year, one of my sisters has repeatedly suggested that I paint a field of sunflowers.  She has fond memories of driving through the seemingly endless sunflower fields while living in Italy.  I would gently acknowledge her suggestion, but I was wrapped up in other projects.  And honestly, I wasn’t so interested.  Why?  Because I have been so absorbed in mixed media pieces that required research and paper and overthinking that I couldn’t imagine just sitting down and painting a field of flowers.

Until this week.  I needed to reconnect with the brushes and the paint. I needed a new challenge, new subject matter, and my sister’s voice kept ringing in my ear…So I made a plan to work fast and make it warm, light, and wonderful.  After all, it’s been a long, frigid winter in Pennsylvania.

The challenge was greater than I anticipated.  Foreshortening, perspective, landscape, sunsets?  It has been years since I painted in such fashion. I tried not to over think.  I relaxed and had fun.  I laughed at my mistakes.  I learned.  Honestly, the sunflower challenge put me in good creative spirits.   So thank you, sister, for your suggestion.  I have another 30″x30″ inch canvas that needs a painting.   Tonight, my daughter suggested I paint a field of poppies.  I chuckled.  We shall see….