Aruba Sand Dunes is a studio acrylic painting that captures the stark, sun-drenched beauty of the island’s desert landscape, painted 22 years after a memorable 25th anniversary trip in December 2002. This 24″ × 30″ work recreates one of Don Yaun’s favorite photographic memories from the journey across Aruba—from the populated southwest in Oranjestad to the wild northeast, where the couple discovered the unexpected desert terrain and the striking white sand dunes near Daimari Beach.
Expecting lush tropics, they were surprised by the arid beauty. The steep dunes, dotted with dark clumps of vegetation for dramatic contrast, became an irresistible subject. Don designed the composition with minimal sky at the top to emphasize the vast, flowing sand. Working from that preserved photo, he began with an Ultramarine-toned ground visible through transparent and translucent layers of warm white, creating subtle mid-day shadows and a soft, luminous quality. The darker, loosely rendered vegetation provides grounding contrast, while broad, fresh brushstrokes keep the piece alive and unoverworked—deliberately finalized early to preserve its spontaneous energy.
The painting holds special sentimental value and hangs prominently in Don’s studio; it’s one he finds hard to part with.