Blue Hydrangea is a radiant studio acrylic painting that marks one of Don Yaun’s first serious returns to art after a 40-year hiatus. Completed in 2018 as he prepared for retirement (and fully launched his artist career in 2020), this intimate 10″ × 8″ work on gesso board began simply as a study—not originally intended for presentation. Don was experimenting with landscapes, still lifes, and florals, pulling from his youthful art school days to rediscover his style. He quickly fell in love with florals because they allowed him to explore color in a loose, almost abstract way without the pressure of tight realism.
This impressionistic piece of blue hydrangeas proved perfect for that freedom. He played boldly with complementary blues and oranges, using ultramarine glazes for deep, transparent shadows and warm yellow centers to make the blooms glow. The result was unexpectedly dramatic—the color so vivid that a viewer described it as almost 3D. It turned out far better than Don anticipated, becoming a joyful success.
A good friend fell in love with it and purchased it. The same collector later purchased “Water Lilies in the Fall“, a testament to the piece’s lasting impact.
About Hydrangeas Hydrangeas are beloved flowering shrubs known for their large, rounded mophead or lacecap blooms. Their color varies dramatically based on soil pH: acidic soil (pH below 6) makes aluminum available to the plant, producing blue tones; alkaline soil (pH above 7) yields pink or red. Neutral soil often results in purple or mixed shades. This unique trait makes them a favorite for gardeners and artists, as the same variety can shift hues depending on the growing conditions.
