Day 27 - World Watercolor Month - A Lone Sunflower In A Glass Vase - Doodlewash
By Charlie

World Watercolor Month – Day 27 – A Lone Sunflower

Written by Charlie O'Shields

Today’s prompt of sunshine made me think of sunflowers. Most likely because I live in Missouri and share a border with Kansas, which has been deemed the Sunflower State. Also, I rarely paint flowers of any kind, so I figured this was as good an opportunity as any to give one another go. I’ve no idea why, but I just don’t fancy painting flowers, so I find them quite challenging. Instead of avoiding them entirely, I like to challenge myself by attempting to paint one every now and then. So that’s where we landed today. I remember walking with my grandmother as she would point out various wildflowers on the side of the road. The names she would give them were never the official botanical names and in some cases were rather questionable. But I loved learning her names for each of them. She’s gone now, and so all I have are these memories, but they are among my favorite memories of all. Even something as simple as a sunflower makes me think of her. And that means that the making of this simple doodlewash was a lovely experience after all.

Much of what I choose to paint are pieces of memories. Fragments, really, that display things devoid of all of their context. Simple objects that aren’t particularly special on the surface, but when you dig down to the memories and moments they evoke, they become much more important. And the best part is, the memories aren’t shared in the exact same way. For me, this evokes moments with my grandmother, but for you it might be something else entirely. Perhaps, if you’ve not seen this particularly flower, it may evoke no memory at all. This may be why I don’t often paint them. It’s equally why I don’t often paint specific scenes. These memories are only accessible to people who’ve actually traveled to those locations or dreamed about them. I guess, in the end, my little paintings are simply meant to be the beginning of some story. Not a complete story, but something I hope you’ll transform into your story. A small notion that always starts with a simple “once upon a time.”

And as we near the end of World Watercolor Month, I hope you’ve been painting a ton of memories each day. I’ve been so inspired by each piece that appears in our Official Gallery and more amazed that so many more of you than last year have made it to these last few days of the month! Painting every single day is quite an accomplishment, so kudos to you for making it happen! And once again today, I have a little present to give to some of you. Today, I have American Journey Artists’ Watercolor Nomad Sets (if you haven’t yet received one) for the first 10 people who comment on doodlewash.com with the phrase “Let’s Make Memories Together!” When thousands of people come together to paint with watercolor, there are always memories being made and that’s an incredible experience indeed! In the end, it’s just the act of putting watercolor to paper that matters. You might just make an incredible scene that leaves people wondering how the heck you did that, or instead, you might just take a little moment out of your day to make a simple memory of a lone sunflower.

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About the Doodlewash

M. Graham Watercolors: Azo Yellow, Azo Orange, Azo Green, Pyrrol Red, Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book.
  Day 27 - World Watercolor Month - A Lone Sunflower In A Glass Vase - Doodlewash

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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73 thoughts on “World Watercolor Month – Day 27 – A Lone Sunflower”

  2. I love your sunflower! I hope to be able to paint one as beautiful as yours. I must keep practicing! 😊Let’s make memories together!

    Reply

  7. Your sunflower portrait is gorgeous. Charlie, I didn’t realize you live in Missouri. My son and his family are road trekking there later this summer to see the solar eclipse. And sunflowers are his wife’s favorite flowers. Fields of sunflowers are amazing to see – all the beautiful golden heads peering toward the distance, as if waiting for something spectacular to happen.

    Not sure where this is going but there must be a connection.

    Reply

  9. Sunflowers…my father loved them too. He always planted one in his garden just to keep the birds away from his fruit. Like you, with your grandmother, I associate these flowers in the same way. They are nice memories that keep us close. And yes, I think I am already on your list for a Nomad case from week one or two. Thank you for sharing another wonderful memory. I look forward to reading the next one. 🤗

    Reply

  12. Your sunflower is cheerful and fresh, and your grandmother would be proud of your painting, your story, and you! I can’t believe the month is almost over and we are headed for the home stretch. Mostly I can’t believe that I have played along and painted something every day! 🎨 😍 🌻

    Reply

    1. Aww thanks so much, Carol! Glad you liked this post! 😃💕 And thrilled that you made it to the end!! Yay!! hehe… It’s been awesome this year… I felt like slightly fewer people started the challenge, but more people than ever are about to complete it! SO COOL!!

      Reply

  18. I really love this Charlie. Your grandmother would be so proud. “Let’s make some memories” indeed! This has been a wonderful experience for me. Thank you again for what you do.

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  20. Sunflowers challenge me too! I have not been pleased with many I try! But try I do! And if I’ve learned nothing else this month, it is to keep on doodling! I look forward to your posts every day!

    Reply

  27. Your sunflower made me smile…. Sunflowers are a favorite flower of mine, they look so cheery. I love how your paintings are of your memories…. Mine on the other are more often whatever I happen to be thinking about at the moment. So I guess I am making new memories not remembering old ones 🙂

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  29. Let’s Make Memories Together! Well we have thanks to you Charlie. Every morning when I go to FB, I am overwhelmed with all those beautiful paintings. No better way to start your day! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Pili!! 😃💕 And yay! Glad you’re enjoying World Watercolor Group on Facebook… it definitely makes the News Feed far more beautiful!! hehe (And I’m all out of samples for today, but check back! Still a few more days to go!)

      Reply

  31. A sunflower – evidently a special one! – never fails to brighten the day. Kudos to you, Charlie O, for continuing to battle the flowers. You’re braver than I 😉 It never looks like you have much trouble!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Jacob!! 😃💕 I’m glad this looked effortless and you couldn’t hear the cursing! Lol I just never really know how to approach flowers in my style… it doesn’t seem to fit as well as a looser style. Hope all is well with you my friend! I’ve been a little buried this month and haven’t been able to visit blogs, but I’ll be back in August!! hehe (after champagne, of course!)

      Reply

      1. Ha, oh I can imagine – it must be a tidal wave of watercolour. You deserve a rest (and a champagne!) whenever you can fit one in! I’m doing well, though I’ve not been a particularly prolific poster recently so honestly you haven’t missed much. Things are on the up, though, so hopefully next month will prove fruitful!

        Reply

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