Pink Rhododendron is a delicate yet luminous studio acrylic painting that captures the ethereal translucence of a mature pink rhododendron blooming in Don Yaun’s front yard in Buford, Georgia. This intimate 10″ × 8″ work on gesso board celebrates the plant that grew into a stunning showpiece over many years. Don was drawn to the flowers when viewed from below against the bright sunny sky—the petals became translucent, glowing with varying intensities of pink, from nearly transparent to richly opaque. The dark green leaves silhouette dramatically against the intense white background, while shadow areas in the blooms take on subtle purples, lavenders, and blues for added depth and mood.
The impressionistic style is intentionally loose, with broad, expressive brushwork, yet Don sharpened specific edges on leaves and petals to guide the eye and create focal points. The result is a fresh, airy floral that feels alive with light and subtle color variation.
Don loved this small painting deeply, but when his friend, fellow artist, and Ringling College of Art and Design classmate Teresa Van Mol expressed that she simply had to have it, he reluctantly parted with it. Though he misses the original, he created an excellent framed print that now hangs on his wall as a cherished reminder. Some paintings, he says, are hard to let go—this one stands out as one he wishes he’d kept.
About Rhododendron Rhododendron (including azaleas, a closely related group) is a genus of evergreen or deciduous flowering shrubs native to temperate regions, prized for their showy clusters of bell-shaped or trumpet-shaped blooms in spring. Pink varieties thrive in acidic, well-drained soil with partial shade, often growing into large, dense bushes that can reach 6–15 feet tall. The flowers range from soft pastels to vivid hues, and the plants are beloved in gardens for their dramatic seasonal displays.
