Saturday, June 30, 2018

Art Elements June Theme Challenge – Sunflowers


Sunflower Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
I love sunflowers so I knew that I would be participating in the June Art Elements challenge by creating something inspired by the theme of sunflowers.  This also gave me the opportunity to revisit some photos of sunflowers that I took in the Fall 2017 when I visited my son who was living in Duluth, Minnesota at the time.  My husband and I decided to celebrate his birthday in Grand Marais, Minnesota which is several hours north of Duluth by car.  Grand Marais is a gorgeous little town and art enclave located on the shores of Lake Superior.  It isn't too far from Canada and has both lots of woods and coastline along Lake Superior.


sunflower photo by Kathy Lindemer, BayMoonDesign
sunflower photo by Kathy Lindemer, BayMoonDesign

Where we camped there was a community garden that had a number of sunflowers in different varieties.

sunflower photo by Kathy Lindemer, BayMoonDesign
sunflower photo by Kathy Lindemer, BayMoonDesign


Photo of marigold and butterflies by BayMoon Design
Photo of marigold and butterfly by BayMoon Design


The sunflowers attracted lots of butterflies the weekend we were there. I couldn't resist capturing some photos of these pretty creatures enjoying the flowers. They just about posed for the photos.

Coastline of Lake Superior at Grand Marais by BayMoonDesign
I took lots of photos of the town because it was so quaint and beautiful.  It is a great place to camp in the summer and fall.  I am sure that the winters are long and difficult there.  
Photo of boat anchored at Grand Marais by BayMoonDesign
Photo of boat anchored at Grand Marais by BayMoonDesign
There were a number of excellent spots to eat in town as well as very cute shops.  Since many artists live here the shops sell their creations.  I even managed to find some beads made by local artists to buy.  


Photo of Grand Marais by BayMoonDesign
Photo of Grand Marais by BayMoonDesign
Grand Marais has lots of scenic views. I think you will agree that this is one gorgeous place to visit. 


Boho Yellow Earrings by BayMoon Design
Boho Yellow Earrings by BayMoon Design

The sunflowers there inspired me to make a pair of yellow and brown earrings. These boho yellow earrings are inspired by the colors of the some of the sunflowers. The yellow and browns are great colors for late summer into early fall fashions. The colors of these earrings add a nice pop of color to them. The triangles are enameled tin by Numinosity. I added seed beads to white Irish linen thread to add additional color. Brown Czech glass flowers were also added to bring out the browns. They are available for purchased HERE.

sunflower Photo by Charlotte Coneybeer on Unsplash
Photo by Charlotte Coneybeer on Unsplash
I can't wait to see what others are inspired to make.  Feel free to visit and leave kind comments.  

A special thanks to Sue Kennedy who selected the theme.


Guests

Kathy  (HERE)

AE Team

Sue  (hostess)


17 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos and your earrings are stunning

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  2. Love the abstraction of your design Kathy and such lovely earrings. :)

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  3. Such a wonderful use of yellow and brown in these beautiful earrings!

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  4. Kathy - your photos are gorgeous - so many beautiful places in the US - thanks for showing us! And your inspired by sunflowers earrings are suble and perfect! Thanks for joining in this month!

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  5. Your earrings are super interesting for their impressionistic texture that remind me of the sunflower paintings of Monet and Van Gogh

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  6. Kathy, the pictures are just magical! It must have been so wonderful being there in the sunlight with the flowers and all those butterflies! Your earrings are wonderful and I love the accent you added with the seed beads :) (and you know how much I love Kimberly's work too)

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  7. Your photos are great and your earrings are a wonderful interpretation of the theme. The colors and textures are great and they would look lovely in any season.

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  8. What a beautiful town. The earrings are so lovely.

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  9. I love the colors you've chosen for your gorgeous earrings! The pictures around Grand Marais are lovely.

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  10. Such gorgeous photos! And the sunflower inspired earrings are perfect. The colors are so wonderful.

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  11. I really love your earrings the added seed beads are just perfect they add a wonderful layer of texture

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  12. Great post! Lovely earrings!

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  13. Scenery is awesome, your earrings are colorful and perfect for this theme!! And those butterflies on sunflowers? Wicked cute!
    Alysen

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  14. I enjoyed seeing your photos. I liked your unique approach to your earrings, in that they are not an exact representation of sunflowers but are inspired by their colors. Very nice!

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  15. That town looks lovely and definitely somewhere I would love to visit. Yours earrings are beautifully elegant, perfect for the summer.

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  16. Beautiful pair of earrings - those yellows are yummy!

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  17. Super cute earrings, Kathy! I loved seeing your sunflower and coast pictures too. We go to Duluth every summer but still haven't made it up as far as Grand Marais. Someday!

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