We are so pleased to be open again, and really hope you can visit us at the gallery, even if it’s just to say hello! To welcome everyone back, we have been filling some of our vases with sunflowers.

During the lockdown, we sent out hundreds of sunflower seeds to spread a little hope in such strange and difficult times. I wonder how many sunflowers have grown and how many smiles they have brought to peoples’ faces?

Many people think of Van Gogh when they see sunflowers.

He was one of the most famous artists ever. He was born in the Netherlands in 1853, but sadly only sold one of his paintings before he died in 1890 at just 37 years old, even though he painted around 900 paintings and made 1,100 drawings and sketches.

He painted one of his famous sunflowers pictures to decorate his home when his artist friend Paul Gauguin came to stay with him, what a lovely welcome that would be.

Have a go yourself

Watch the animation or follow the diagrams below:

Or maybe you could print off this colouring sheet and colour it in to welcome your friends to your home.

coloring sheet for children-vincent-van-gogh