Sneaky hidden sunflowers
Light. Present, sometimes almost invisible. Sneaky, even.
Sneaky Hidden Sunflowers is an expressive painting series by Leonoor Ruigrok, developed during a period of working in Italy and centered on light, presence, and subtle transformation.
An Italian personal story
Small, layered works where tender touches the raw. Central Italy, around Orta San Giulio. A valley of sunflowers, a small house hiding. I got “sunflowers” as a brief—not my starting point, I thought. I went anyway. Normally I work in oil, but here I chose acrylic. It dried in the Italian sun while I kept going, paper after paper. Sitting with all my materials around me, in the warm sunlight. While my husband handled the BBQ. I wasn’t busy with petals or perfect forms anymore, but with what really happens: light against dark, rugged plant life beside soft air. Love it! Read more about my symbols & narrative >.
Sneaky By Nature
The sunflower stopped being a subject and became a sign. Light. Present, sometimes almost invisible. Sneaky, even. In my versions they hide among everything else, on small supports, painted intensely. That’s where I come home: duality. Strength next to vulnerability. No explanation, but an opening. Presence over perfection.
Oil Is My Habit—Acrylic Was My Summer Fling
Normally I work in oil, but here I chose acrylic. It dried in the Italian sun while I kept going, paper after paper. Sitting with all my materials around me, in the warm sunlight. While my husband handled the BBQ.
selected Works from the series
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