I did not always appreciate the beauty of a sunflower. Something a little too wild, and untended about them I think. I have a vague memory of seeing them in a garden, that really just looked like a bunch of miss matched overgrown weeds. I always leaned more towards the glamorous tropical plants. Calla lily, bird of paradise, big leafy banana plants, palms.
Georgia O’Keefe and Vincent Van Gogh helped me see the error of my ways. Now I love sunflowers for being wild, and strong. You can find them growing on the driest, hottest, most forgotten piece of land. Sunflowers are survivors.
Wikipedia names 52 species of sunflower, but there are 6 additional “former” listings. This is an interesting history, and there are truly gorgeous photos to be seen as well.
This sunflower of mine may have turned out a bit too cartoony, but I had fun painting it. What do you think?
Sunflower 6 x 6, watercolor on 140 lb. cold press paper. © Sheila Delgado 2013
And their seeds are very good for our health.
The oil from the seeds is very good as well. High in linoleic acid and vitamin E.