Sometimes We just need sunflowers

Sunflower Fields, 4x10 Acrylic on Wood by Susie E Caron (c) 2020

Sometimes We Just Need Sunflowers
Susie E Caron © 2020
 
Sunshine, sunny, Sunflowers. These words evoke bright thoughts and happy feelings.  We cannot even say the word ‘sunny’ without forming a kind of a smile- facsimile on our lips. Try it. Look in the mirror and say “sunny!”
 
What about when life offers lemons, or lots of lemons?
 
This past week I diverged from my usual pet portraits to paint Sunflowers.
I grabbed six small canvases and began a variety of sunflower paintings.  One with a chipmunk perched atop, happily stuffing its cheeks with seeds. On another a butterfly enjoys a rest. Bumble bees visit two separate sunflower paintings. Of the final two, one is a close-up study appearing as if illuminated by a flashlight on a dark background. I liked them all, but still wondered why Sunflowers and why now?
 
I mentioned my Sunflower project, to a friend. She grinned, threw her arms open wide and exclaimed “I love Sunflowers. They are just like Sunshine.’
 
Perhaps that’s what I needed, some sunshine…
 
I’ll admit rainy days are tough. The first lines in the song “Rainy Days and Mondays” (The Carpenters), reveals how I might feel sometimes. They include feeling old, alone, wanting to quit, frowning, not belonging, and other things that get me and others down. Older persons like me sometimes find too much heat or cold or flu season traps us indoors. We find extremes difficult, especially when they last a long time. My body rebels when too cold, too hot, too motionless, or even if too active and ultimately these affect my mood. Maybe yours too?
 
As I painted these bright, beautiful, sunny, sunshine filled Sunflowers, I started to feel a bit brighter and happier.  As I look at my collection, all finished and positioned on a display board, I realized I needed some ‘sunshine’ in my life. Perhaps you do too.
 
Maybe, if there isn't enough sunshine in our lives, we just need Sunflowers.

Thank you for reading. Would you like to share what cheers you up when life gives you rainy days, or lemons? Let me know in the comments. I'd love to hear from you.

---

A Selection of 5x7 and a 4x10 inch Sunflower Paintings by Susie E Caron (c) 2020

If you would like to purchase any of these, they currently exhibit in the Village Frame Shoppe, St. Albans, VT. 
Note for paintings not shown in my SHOP, contact me for availability.