Cleome is a whimsical studio acrylic painting that celebrates the playful, almost animated character of the cleome plant growing in Don Yaun’s wife’s annual vegetable garden in Buford, Georgia. This 12″ × 16″ work on canvas board captures the plant’s unique structure: long, slender tentacles that seem to reach outward as if in motion, cupped white petals resembling little spoons, and a vibrant crown of seedpods in pale green, yellow, orange, and red hues—like tiny fingers stretching to touch the world. Planted in clusters, cleomes bring a lively, sculptural energy to any garden, blending aesthetic beauty with their intriguing, almost otherworldly form.
Don was drawn to the plant’s dynamic, “active” appearance—the way the tentacles and stamen suggest movement and curiosity. To make the fine, whisker-like details stand out, he used a deep, dark background that emphasizes their delicate forms and creates striking contrast against the soft whites and bright accents. The result is a joyful, close-up study that invites viewers to linger and appreciate the quiet magic of a single plant.
About Cleome Cleome (commonly known as spider flower) is an annual flowering plant prized for its tall, airy clusters of blossoms and long, thread-like stamens that give it a spider-like appearance. Native to tropical and subtropical regions, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from summer into fall with white, pink, or purple flowers. The plant is easy to grow, attracts pollinators, and adds height, texture, and color to gardens—often used as a filler or background plant. Some varieties have medicinal or herbal uses, but most are grown purely for their ornamental, whimsical beauty.
