My 3D quilled sunflower field project marked a departure from my usual commissioned-based work. Each sunflower in the field was meticulously handcrafted, adding a mesmerizing 3D effect that brought the scene to life. With perspective in mind, I carefully arranged the sunflowers, ensuring those at the bottom were larger and more pronounced, while those along the horizon appeared smaller, creating the illusion of depth and distance.
Embracing the Round Canvas
Creating a round artwork was an experiment for me. As an artist who primarily works with square canvases, the round format opened up new possibilities. I wanted this piece to feel like a portal into a sunflower-filled world, and the round canvas allowed for a captivating sense of immersion and depth.
Meticulous 3D Sunflowers
Each sunflower in the field handmade, even to the extent of adding individual petals! All the petals can be moved up or down to either look like the sunflower is open or closed. The base layer of strips and scrolls added depth and dimension, making the sunflowers appear almost lifelike. I aimed to capture the vibrant and joyful essence of sunflowers, infusing the artwork with a sense of warmth and serenity.
The Beauty of Sunflowers
I have made many sunflowers over the years, including two very large pieces in 2022. Some of my first attempts at quilling were actually sunflowers, though I have since lost all of the photos of them. Sunflowers are a burst of color in the fall, and a food source for the birds that I enjoy watching at my feeders.
Work-in-Progress Images
This piece was interesting in that I started creating one sky and then changed my mind and had to rebuild the background to create a different one. The original attempt was to emulate a sky pattern that I see another paper artist use. It was definitely something that needs practice. I decided that I wasn’t happy with how it was coming out as well as the shade of blue I had originally chosen. So, I swapped it out for a cooler, deeper blue and swapped out the edgework contour lines for playful c-coils. To complete the effect, I glued small silk leaves to some of the larger sunflowers. The end effect was stunning.
Final Images
