Sugar light over a field near Lake Orta: petals catch it, shadow tempers it. I set aside strict detail to follow contrast and rhythm, rugged stems against softened air. Though I usually paint in oil, here acrylic let the Italian sun dry each gesture quickly. The sunflower becomes a sign of light itself, meeting shadow at the edge of a mark. Duality remains: strength beside vulnerability, clarity beside hush. Italian landscape on paper – wooden box framed with touch of gold.

Part of the Sneaky Hidden Sunflower art series by Leonoor Ruigrok – 20 x 20 cm (box frame: 2 cm dept)