Sunflowers and other lovely late summer memories - Joyful autumn

Today is grey and rainy.  Still after the gorgeous but very dry summer we have had, I shouldn't moan.  I have come down to my studio and lit a fire today.  It's so lovely to be back here.  The summer was taken up with my allotment.  As usual in early Autumn, Aldi has bunches of Sunflowers!  Can never resist.

Of course, I have been drawing them.  Not very well, in my opinion but I will persevere!

I have taken loads of photographs and realise I quite like the back of the flower actually.  They really are the sunshine flower, just full of life, yellow and joy!

This summer I started drawing flowers that are known as "plant allies" in that they are useful to us.  This was the plan, although it applies to almost anything that grows in our countryside.  Obviously some are not allies (unless you want to poison someone ha ha), but an amazing amount of the common wildflowers are really useful.   I drew elder flowers and then elderberries.  I haven't followed up any of this making delicious cordials or helpful medicines to ward off colds or anything remotefully useful!  

In August I attended a workshop at West Yorkshire Print Studios with Stephen Fowler.  Tetra pak printing!  It was great and I learnt loads. I made one of an elderflower and am going to make some more of other plants I have drawn in my sketchbook. 

Concertina sketchbook.  Tried to take a panoramic pic but it didn't work. 

Stephen Fowler @stephenfowlerrubberstamper on insta and my lovely friend Bobby.