Field of Flowers

Beauty is all around us. Sometimes it surprises us, as we find it where we least expected it. In those instances, we just have to let ourselves recognize and appreciate the combinations of light and color that appear in simple, everyday surroundings. Such is the case with this scene.

This painting had its origins in an early evening walk in my neighborhood. A neighbor had planted a long row of Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) flowers and they appeared to glow in the rays of the setting sun. I snapped a few photos to remember the scene and used them as references for this painting.

The Black-Eyed Susan is probably the most common of all American wildflowers. The characteristic brown, domed center is surrounded by bright yellow ray florets. It thrives in most soils in full sun and is a true sunshine worshiper that forgives neglect.