Inspiration Behind the Artwork - Sunflowers

I always like to bring a sense of personal connection to my designs, whether for wedding stationery or custom artwork. I find inspiration in so many places - stories, emotions, memories and the beauty that exists in the world.

Sunflowers & Memories

This expressive sunflower painting was inspired by the multi-colored sunflowers in our fall garden. Sunflowers always bring a smile to my face and remind me of joyful memories picking flowers with my grandmother in northern Michigan. To me, sunflowers carry a sense of warmth that accompanies fall - pumpkin spice, warm apple pies, and curling up with a cup of coffee. 

Comfort during uncertain times

I started this sunflower painting last October during an uncertain time with my health. After finishing breast cancer treatments earlier in the year, I knew something else was off with my health. Throughout the past couple years, I have really gotten to know my body and to listen when something doesn’t feel right. In this moment, I was looking for a sense of comfort and a reminder that everything will be okay. Spending time with friends, family and being creative helped to bring a sense of peace during this time. In early December, during an ER visit, I finally received a diagnosis and things began to turn around.

Painting has the ability to bring a sense of calm and allows me to focus and get lost in my work. While sunflowers are typically blooming in the late summer and early fall, my hope was to create a painting that brings this sense of warmth and comfort year-round.

The creative process

Starting with a watercolor underpainting, this painting organically developed with layers of expressive watercolor and gouache paints. My process tends to vary slightly from painting to painting, but always starts with an idea that turns into a sketch and develops from there. With paintings like this and especially with my abstract paintings, it tends to be a lot about intuition. The painting evolves as I go and comes to life.

With the artwork I create for wedding invitations, the process starts the same with finding inspiration and learning about the couple and their vision for the wedding in order to create something unique and personal, just for them! This process involves more planning and a refined sketch. This gives the opportunity for couples to envision what the painting will look like when it comes to life and give feedback before the final artwork is created. It really is a collaborative process, as I want to make sure the final artwork is something that represents you as a couple and will be treasured for years to come, even beyond the day of your wedding.

The Final Artwork

After the painting is completed, it is scanned in and digitized to easily be added to the desired layout. Whether for wedding invitations or stationery designs, the artwork is further refined and formatted for print. This sunflower painting was printed on a full sized journal, mini journal, notecards and coasters. One of my favorite parts of the process is getting the final prints and products back from the printer. I love seeing my artwork come to life!

After printing, the journals and stationery are listed in my online shop. For custom stationery, like wedding invitations, each piece is quality checked, assembled and packaged to ship, along with mailing instruction, a keepsake invitation suite, photographer’s sample and a special surprise.

Are you looking for custom wedding invitations or artwork? I’d love to chat about your vision and create something unique just for you!