Sunflower card digitally printed using archival pigment inks on silky, bright white, acid-free paper. Folded card is 5.25" by 5.25" and comes with a beautifully made, bright white envelope. The photograph I used to create the sunflower mandala is printed on the back of the card with the photo location. Interior of the card is blank and the paper is super smooth, not slick, and takes gel, ballpoint, and other inks well. Perfect as a special note card, birthday card, or thinking of you for family member or friend. Especially nice for the eternal optimist or as an altar card as you begin a daily joy practice.

Shipping. The card and envelope are packaged together in a plastic sleeve and mailed in a stiffened mailer. One or two cards are shipped USPS First Class without tracking. Three or more cards are shipped via the most economical means, which usually includes tracking.

Framing. This sunflower card is created using high-quality materials, such as might be used in a museum. The print is sharp, bright, and frameable. To protect the vibrancy of the artwork, I frame using UV glass or acrylic, and I recommend it. If you use plain glass or acrylic, make sure you hang this sweet, little piece and all your beautiful art away from direct sunlight.

About the Art. The digital collage on this card, titled Ephemeral Joy, was created from this original photo of a sunflower that volunteered to grow amongst the Brussels sprouts in my garden on Pleasant Hill, near Brookhaven, West Virginia. If you’ve ever wondered what would grow from a black oil sunflower seed, well, here’s your answer.

The color yellow is often associated with joy. The joy here, however, is just a bit subdued. The low lighting when I shot the photo flattened the exuberant yellow of the flower, dulling ever so slightly its happy edge. As I worked the piece, the petals became tissue-like and layered, bringing to mind the ephemeral quality of joy—joy pops up, it fleets, it dodges, it evaporates, only to pop up again, dance around us, and disappear once more. I’ve decided that’s fine with me, though, as the contrast between the joyous moments and the not so much makes the happy moments of life that much sweeter.