Painting Sunflowers: How My August Birth Flower Inspires My Art and Workshops

I read that in astrology, sunflowers are closely linked to the sun, which governs the month of August. This connection is deeply symbolic, as the sunflower’s vibrant, sun-like appearance mirrors the radiant energy of the sun during late summer. For those born in August (like me!), the sunflower represents more than just a seasonal bloom; it embodies qualities of warmth, vitality, and optimism associated with the sun’s powerful influence. This celestial connection makes the sunflower a fitting emblem for the month, symbolizing the peak of summer and the transition into the harvest season.

A fun personal anecdote is that even though I was born on August 31st at 11:50 PM, I still feel that August is my month, and the sunflower is my flower. My mother always jokes that I’m a September baby because, according to her, the first time I saw the sun was on September 1st. I only experienced a mere five minutes of August! This playful debate has led my family to celebrate both August 31st and September 1st, adding a unique twist to my birthday celebrations. I’m grateful that my father insisted on registering me on August 31st because I feel a deep connection with this month.

Painting Sunflowers in my garden. London, 2023.	First project from my online workshop. Painting Flowers No.2: Sunflowers

Sunflowers have always been more than just a flower to me. Each year, I plant them in my garden, eagerly watching them grow and bloom. Over the years, I’ve explored the theme of sunflowers in various artistic ways, from detailed studies to abstract interpretations. This year, my passion for sunflowers inspired me to share this love with others through my workshops.

For the first time in my seven years of teaching watercolor, I decided to open the studio to host a Watercolor Sunflower Workshop for beginners, and we had a blast! Despite the cold weather in London during the early part of the summer, which delayed my sunflowers from blooming, we still painted beautiful watercolor flowers using market-bought blooms.

Watercolor Sunflower Workshop in my studio | London, W10.	'La Casita', ready to welcome my students for a painting session with sunflowers.

For those who can’t make it to London, I’ve also created an online version of the class so anyone, anywhere, can join in on the fun. These workshops are a way for me to bring my love for sunflowers and watercolor painting into the lives of others, allowing participants to experience the joy and beauty of these magnificent blooms.

Through both the in-person and online classes, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own creative journeys, just as the sunflower has inspired mine. Thank you for joining me on this floral adventure!

Sunflower Paintings from my Collection 'Wings and Blooms' (2023).	Learn how to paint sunflowers in a loose, abstract style using mixed media (gouache + watercolor) in small and large formats.