Continuing my journey of relaxing and painting portraits and flowers.

I have been cleaning up my portfolios full of art from other people.

Artists I met online, traded with or bought from comicons and art fairs. I still love all the art and the different styles but I'm running out of space.

But I can't say no to art and books, though. They make my home my favorite place and I keep getting inspired and creating surrounded by my favorite art and authors.

I realized that the size of the prints that I've been buying lately have been smaller. This way I can store them and look at them as an art book instead of having a hard time deciding which to put on the wall. 

More and more my favorite size for a print lately has been 8x10. Do you agree? Do  you have enough space and do you still get poster size print and art? 

 From twww.proflowers.com/

symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity. Much of the meaning of sunflowers stems from its namesake, the sun itself. These flowers are unique in that they have the ability to provide energy in the form of nourishment and vibrancy—attributes which mirror the sun and the energy provided by its heat and light.

Sunflowers are known for being “happy” flowers, making them the perfect gift to bring joy to someone’s (or your) day.

The History of Sunflowers

Sunflowers originated in the Americas in 1,000 B.C., and were then cultivated as a valuable food source for centuries. With the European exploration of the New World, the flower’s popularity spread, as the rest of the world began to appreciate its beauty and sustenance.

Artists throughout history loved the sunflower’s unique splendor—those of the Impressionist era were especially fixated on the flower. The use of sunflower images as religious symbols has also been documented in some native societies.

Wild sunflowers are often photographed with their tall stalks and bright petals stretched towards the sun. This interesting behavior, known as phototropism, inspired a motif that has appeared in many ancient works.

Today, sunflowers remain a highly recognized flower, admired for its sunny charm and delightful disposition. These beauties are also still sourced for their seeds, as well as oils used for cooking and skin emollients. For a flower that reflects so many of the sun’s positive characteristics, it isn’t surprising that people enjoy basking in the sunflower’s warming glow so much.

Working of this painting now. I'm still not sure what type of flowers these will be. Maybe begonias? or maybe dahlias?

I'm just focused on the shapes and light and shadow for now before I add more details. I based this one on the Pre-Raphaelite painting by Watts of the girl smelling a flower.

When I am not painting these I am writing my next novel, sharing my love for my other books to people who haven't met them. If have the ability to help, tell someone outside or inside social media about my art and books.

It will mean the world to me.