Banana Bandit

Even though the character approaching from stage right is solidly 20th-century in origin, this painting was created using the classic still life techniques as practiced by artists centuries ago. The smooth background was painted in thin layers to build up depth in color and shading and the shadowplay is crisp. Having a shadow created from something outside the borders of the painting (“off-screen,” if you will) adds great drama. There is more going on than you can see and you anticipate the action to come.