Sunflowers and Silver Pitcher | plein air still life

We have had a cold, rainy spring here in Minnesota.  You have to take advantage of the sun where you can find it!

This painting was done on a day that started out with dreary grey skies and falling rain. All morning long, I heard from the weather guy on the radio that it was supposed to be a total wash out. The entire day…

But then, around noon, the forecast changed. Suddenly, there was talk of clearing.  Talk of the clouds breaking up.

I needed to take advantage of the break in the weather. I grabbed the bunch of sunflowers I had purchased at the grocery store earlier that day to help ward off the grey-sky depression.

I took the flowers outside to the patio and paired them with a wonderfully shiny stainless steel pitcher on a white cloth.

I was determined to making the most of my brief slice of summer.  In the end, the sun lasted just long enough for me to finish this little 6×8″ painting. The clouds moved back in and the rain began to fall again. But I know I did everything I could to make the most of my sunny day. Even if it was only for a couple of hours.