#13. Early autumn sunflowers

As a self-taught artist, I’m grateful for learning new techniques and being inspired by others. It helps me explore beyond my comfort zone instead of getting too caught up in my own ways or focusing too much on sharing the final paintings rather than the whole process.

Sunflowers in Haute-Savoie

It has been more than a year since I moved to Haute-Savoie, and I still find myself in awe of my not-so-new region. What I enjoy most about living here is the diversity of nature. From mountains to crops and the majestic Lake Léman, also called Lake Geneva, I feel lucky that I can enjoy such beautiful landscapes on normal, ‘mundane’ walks.

I’m not sure I have a favourite flower yet, but sunflowers have a special place in my heart. They are unique and beautiful, and it is hard not to be absorbed when looking at so many of them together.

Recently, while walking my dog, I came across sunflower fields. One of the joys of walking in sunflower fields is the uplifting vibes they provide, especially during autumn when the weather gets gloomy and colder.

As an amateur photographer, I enjoy taking photos during my walks. I try to incorporate some basics, like the rule of thirds, but I still have much to learn. One of my goals to improve my photography skills is to have my own reference pictures for the paintings I create.

Golden moments in the sunflower fields with my furry companion! 🌻🐾

Great sources of inspiration

• I read Jon Acuff’s book ‘Finish’for the first time in 2019. At the time, it was a game changer. Recently, I noticed it gathering dust on my bookshelf, so I decided to read it again. This book hasn’t aged; it serves as a valuable reminder to avoid perfectionism and emphasizes the importance of finishing what you start. In the past, I often began projects but left them unfinished, which prevented me from enjoying the satisfaction that comes with accomplishing goals. This book provided me with a new perspective on my behaviour and offered practical tools to help me change it. If you struggle with similar issues, it might be helpful for you too.

• Audiobooks in Spotify. In case you have Spotify Premium. You can now enjoy audiobooks. Personally, I didn’t know about this feature, I tried it this week for the first time and found it quite useful to be able to listen to things that nourish my mind while I work or do chores. I randomly selectedThe Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest, which turned out to be a great resource to understand and fight an often common enemy: oneself.