I painted this sunflower image specifically to raise money for the Ukrainians. I'll donate 50% of my profits from this piece (prints, cards, and original painting) to a combination of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Central Kitchen.
 
In working on this piece, I came across so many interesting factoids - more than I could fit into the composition!
 
Sunflowers were first imported from North America to Ukraine in the 1800s. At present, Ukraine is the world's biggest producer and exporter of sunflower oil and sunflower seeds.
 
Sunflowers are divided into 3 general groups: short, tall, and colored.
 
The most fascinating thing I learned about sunflowers was their use in phytoremediation, the process of using plants to remove harmful toxins from our soil, water, and/or air. Sunflowers have been planted around Chernobyl, in order to help clean up the cesium and strontium contaminants! Amazing. 
 
🇺🇦 #standwithukraine