Sunflower 01-01-2015

I had seen so many other artist challenge each other or do a challenge for their own artwork. 

Several people had requested that I do a class for the painting.  The sunflower which I painted titled "Heliantus"  I felt comfortable teaching that painting; however,because  I had not painted very many sunflowers,  my challenge for myself was seven sunflowers in seven days.  I got seven backgrounds painted rather quickly (that's not to say some will not be changed before the sunflower is painted). First, began looking at my reference photos (mostly taken on trips out west because I had not grown sunflowers of my own).

Nothing struck me today as the one which I wanted to paint.  My creative juices wanted something different from what I had in my reference files so I decided to go on.  Also I decided because they could be a source of food for family and birds and most of all for photos for future paintings, I would start my own seedlings for the spring.

Well this morning I painted my first sunflower for 2015.  This  began my struggle because I wanted to use a background which I had created earlier; however, I did not complete it to my satisfaction.

For the background,  I taped the outer edges with painters tape to make a border and painted the canvas with grey (almost black) .  Things do happen when we are watching ball games so my paint got under the edge of the tape.  I used a paper towel to give it texture and was satisfied with the background. 

My next steps was composition and I knew that I only wanted one sunflower because this was 11x14 canvas and I wanted a good size sunflower.  After I placed the first coating of paint (Picture 1)  I allowed the painting to dry.  The final touches were added to the artwork or so I thought.  I still had not signed the painting; therefore, I knew I had to study at a distance  to ascertain if it was completed to my satisfication.

After looking at it in my black frame, I decided that the what edge needed to have a light green wash and so I guessed that is my last struggle; however that wasn't the last struggle.  You can see the vast difference in the started painting and my final version Sunflower   

I signed the artwork, did more photos, came to complete this blog.

Of course while I painted my sunflower for Thursday 01012015, I  unloaded dishes, folded clothes and prepared food for the family.)   I do have to watched some major football games.   Auburn and  Alabama were playing!!!  I was disappointed in our Auburn and Alabama teams not being the game winners; however, sometimes being the looser of life events can make us stronger.

Go Auburn and Alabama in 2015!!!!!!   I will just keep on painting in 2015.