Bitter Sweet is a playful, freestyle studio acrylic still life that began as an homage to Paul Cézanne’s structured approach but quickly evolved into a whimsical, exploratory celebration of color, form, and light. This 14″ × 11″ work on pressed board features vibrant cherries arranged in and around cut glassware, accompanied by a half-empty pilsner beer surrounded by lemons that adds a touch of “bitter” realism amid the sweetness. Don Yaun let the painting wander freely, enjoying the creative freedom after years away from art—stems pointing in varied directions, some cherries inside the glass with refraction effects making them appear partially or fully submerged, and subtle distortions in the clear vessel.
The design plays with dynamic negative space to guide the eye around the composition, while bold color contrasts add energy: warm yellows and reds in the fruit offset by deep purples in the cloth and subtle greens in the background. The pale green apple beneath provides a cool counterpoint, and the overall mood blends lively whimsy with a quiet nod to the fleeting nature of the scene.
This piece reflects Don’s joy in experimentation—starting with inspiration from the masters but embracing his own loose, expressive path.
