The sunflower seeds have blossomed and the fields of yellow and brown, fill the land with glory and majesty for all who come to enjoy their beauty. Last year, Paul and his outdoor painting club ventured out to one of the very popular sunflower fields in our area. The locations have been the perfect place for artists, photographers and those who love seeing the massive array of color. For a graduation, engagement, family or special photo op, you can’t beat these sites.

When I think of sunflowers, I can’t help recalling all the paintings Vincent Van Gogh created of these showy flowers. He once said:

“What am I in the eyes of most people — a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person — somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low. All right, then — even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart. That is my ambition, based less on resentment than on love in spite of everything, based more on a feeling of serenity than on passion. Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my mind is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum.”

― Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent was a troubled soul. He seemed to be at his best when he was out in a field somewhere, painting real life scenes and expanses of brilliant color. He drank too much. He cared little about his physical appearance. He often spent hours upon hours painting without taking sustenance. He was prone to depression and was admitted to an asylum which brought him a certain amount of peace. Even in the hellish recesses of his heart, there dwelt an artist of great merit. If only he would’ve experienced the success during his lifetime.

We all have God given abilities – talents and blessings freely created within us. Sometimes we have to look deeply inside to realize what we’re capable of. In the process of searching, we might be surprised at what we discover.