The Happy Flower

/ Jodi
sunny-sunflower-watercolor-11x14-artistico-ex-wh-300lb-soft

sunny-sunflower-watercolor-11×14-artistico-ex-wh-300lb-soft

“As an artist, I’d choose the thing that’s beautiful more than the one that’s true.”

–Laurie Anderson, Composer, Singer, and Performance Artist

Sunflowers are happy flowers – aren’t they?
They are sunny and bright and cheerful.

I painted this version of a sunflower – that may not really look like a sunflower to you – but I fell in love with.  And I rarely say that about my own art, so it is super exciting for me.

It is 11×14 and painted on the most glorious Fabriano Artistico 300lb “Soft” paper that is so cottony soft and buttery, I love to just feel it!

When I came upon this quote by Laurie Anderson, it so resonated with my feelings about art.  I would choose beautiful over true too.

I choose to paint what I love and feel is beautiful over an exact likeness.  I can take a photo if I want an exact likeness. (And I do so admire artists who can create exact likeness with paint and brushes – don’t get me wrong – it’s just not where I find my joy – at least right now.)  But to create a feeling of beauty, that is what I choose to love about painting.

Happy Day!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

54 thoughts on “The Happy Flower”

  1. Today we painted the same flower! I haven’t post mine yet, I will later on this Friday! And like you I wanted to create something different you will see! Your sunflower is beautiful I love it! Today is a sunflower day 😉 I also post one for my weekly Meet and Greet Fridays https://yesterdayafter.com/2016/09/16/meet-and-greet-fridays-week-29/ (I hope you will leave your link!) you can see one of my photos is a Digital Art sunflower! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Interesting, because her husband Lou Reed would probably have chosen truth.
    Flowers are beautiful, but also true I think. And photos are no more “real” than a painting or drawing. They distort what the eye sees too, with light.
    Which is just to say, thanks for the morning ramble in beauty–both images and thoughts. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. I love your sunflower and it looks very “sunflowery” to me. I agree, I am not into a very detailed paintings of flowers or anything really, I feel that if you want detailed, take a photo instead! I think that there is more feeling and beauty in a “less than more painting” imho. Oh my goodness so this is on Fabriano! YAY! this is the Soft Press? I bought one and I haven’t been able to try it out yet. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  15. Your painting is stunning and Laurie’s quote is perfect.
    Thanks for bringing this to the party! Have fun meeting the guests and hopping to their blogs. Tell them “Susie sent me,” and they should click back to yours!

    Like

    Reply

  20. YAYZA!!! I’m so excited to see that you are LOV’in your watercolor art!! 💕🎨💜👍 I have always LOVED your style because it is so FABULOUS and it’s YOU!!! Uniquely Jodi! 😍🎉🌟 Love your brilliantly beautiful sunflower!!! 🌻💙🌻

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. Honestly, I think what I enjoy the most about your art is the feeling of joy that comes through almost all of your paintings. No, you don’t create absolutely lifelike images, which is good, because a camera can do that! But you do bring out the essence of your subjects, and that’s what I respond to. That painting of the bunny I have from you makes me smile every time I look at it….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • oh Ann – you so often brighten my day with your comments. thank you so very much for your kindness and encouragement. I’m so glad you enjoy your bunny painting. That was one of the first ones I did that I actually loved too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

I love hearing from you - hope you'll drop me a line