Big Boy and Sidekick is a tender studio acrylic painting that celebrates the gentle presence of two familiar bucks who became cherished visitors on Don Yaun’s 11½-acre wooded homestead in Buford, Georgia. This 24″ × 18″ work captures a fleeting fall moment when Don, sitting at his dining table, spotted the pair in the driveway and quickly grabbed his camera. The larger buck, “Big Boy,” was a friendly regular who would approach Don’s wife for corn, apples, bread, and treats; his younger companion, “Sidekick,” joined him, and the two were inseparable for several years. Though wild, they knew exactly where to find a free meal and became part of daily homestead life.
The reference photo was taken in autumn, so Don kept the background warm and earthy with loose, sketchy strokes—minimal paint applied to avoid distracting from the deer. The animals themselves are rendered lightly and transparently over the underpainting, with subtle highlights adding volume and life. Bold, expressive brushwork gives the piece a fresh, spontaneous feel, treating the scene almost like a quick sketch that preserves the quiet magic of the encounter.
This painting is a loving tribute to the wildlife that shares the property—never pets, but familiar friends who brought joy for years.
