Sunflowers look so easy to paint, but it is everything but easy! One can either paint it too stiff and controlled, depleting it of all character, or it can be painted sloppy, in which case it looks as if you didn’t know what you were doing. I think I fall in the second category. But it sure is fun to paint! Robyn made the remark that sunflowers remind her of happy people. While painting these, even when scraping off and starting over, even when throwing sunflowers 2 out the barn door and picked it up afterwards and finally completed it… I was happy. The colours, the shapes, the smell of the oils, the touch of the sunflowers, the buzzing bee around the paints and flowers, the leaves wilting and drying and taking on shapes of their own….I was happy. Still am.
…sunflowers 2…
oil on canvas, 41x33cm (16,1″x12,9″)
I did struggle a bit with sunflowers 1…he composition gave me trouble and I overworked it completely. It actually had a stage where it was perfect…sort of undone, half finished, a slight background with an attractive unfinished look. And I just had to add a touch here and there, which eventually turned into a completely different painting and I lost that “unfinished” stage forever. Fortunately , there is always the next one.
…sunflowers 1
oil on cotton, 38x46cm (14,9″x18,1″)
Africantapestry 
Yours are quivering with life and happiness, Ronell. Beautiful, and the subject so suits your adventurous brush. I’m way too timid for sunflowers.
Ronelle, I couldn’t wait to see these paintings and I am pleasantly surprised….it is beautiful!!! Yes, sunflowers are indeed happy, warm flowers and I agree with Robyn that sunflowers remind me of happy people…..
Keep up the good work even if the paintings sometimes end up outside the barn door….
Ixx
These are beautiful!! They look just right!!!
I think Robyn’s comment ‘quivering with life and happiness’ hit these right on the dot!
Sunflowers are gorgeous and those are marvellous. Good work!
Your beautiful dancing sunflower paintings made my day Ronell!!! Have a great week — and birthday!!! : ))
I like the first one, the one with 3 flowers, a lot. Sometimes overworking leads to wonderful things, like this! They’re sort of Van Gogh-ish with the swirling sky and bright colors. Yummy!
Ronelle–I love sunflowers–there is nothing like the brightness and cheeriness of sunflowers to awake the senses. Your art-drawings-photos and blog are beautiful. You are a very talented person and I admire your work. I too see a Van Gogh type image in the above painting as well. I love his work too.
Best,
Melanie
We’re all in love with sunflowers, it seems.:-)
I really like no 2 Ronell. I know that feeling of painting again, the smells, etc. Then you wonder why did you wait so long to start mixing paints and be creative. Cecily
Your oil paintings are always stupendous, Ronell. I really love the freedom and freshness of your brush strokes. And sunflowers are such a joyful subject!
Fabulous happy sunflowers Ronell, they do look like they’re vibrating with life and energy.
fabulous !! you can see more paintings in this web http://www.sungmao.com
I love the texture in these works, that is what I “try” to do.