Girasole (gee-rah-so-lay) is the Italian word for sunflower, and the letter G for my Natural Patterns Alphabet.
It literally translates to “turn sun,” which I realized when looking at the wikipedia page is probably after its heliotropism—how the sunflower follows the sun throughout the day. I know I had heard of this before, but now it has fully gelled—what an amazing thing—kind of makes it even more like a person, standing tall in a field, and turning towards the sun!
“Girasole,” 5 x 5 inches, pen and ink, available in my shop
While drawing this, I also realized what an intricate pattern the sunflower has in its center. I spent quite some time trying to draw the spiral pattern, but in the end decided it was too much visually to have the petals and the center spiral in one piece. Maybe I’ll have to do a button!
In other news, I’m really excited to be going to the San Francisco MOMA tomorrow to see Natural Affinities, an exhibit of Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams side by side, exploring their mutual interest in the natural world. Sounds right up my alley, and I love both of these artists. Also, they were friends, so it will be really interesting to see their work together. I believe this is a traveling exhibit, but I’m not quite sure how you would find out if it will be coming to a museum near you.
blue bicicletta 
I love sunflowers too! I only recently noticed the spiral pattern in the middle of the flower too and it really is extaordinary. I think it’s incredible how they follow the sun. This year I want to grow a variety called Moonflower which are a pale lemon colour. I was thinking of growing them inside in pots as the front of my house is all glass so it might work! That exhibition you’re going to sounds amazing! I love those artists too, I’m totally jealous!