kb Howell-Sickles Donna-Green Pears Donna Howell

The composition presents a curious tableau centered around a young man seated on a wooden chair. He is positioned in what appears to be a stylized, almost theatrical setting. The color palette is dominated by warm tones – ochre, red, and yellow – set against a pale blue background, creating an unusual visual harmony.
Here we see the figure balancing a pear atop his head, while holding another in his outstretched hand. He wears a bright red shirt, denim trousers, and matching boots, all rendered with a degree of precision that suggests a deliberate aesthetic choice rather than casual depiction. His expression is one of detached amusement or perhaps mild bewilderment, contributing to the overall sense of surrealism.
Surrounding him are three horses, their forms similarly colored in shades of yellow and orange. They appear to be interacting with the central figure; two lean towards him, as if drawn by the pear he holds aloft. A red dog rests at his feet, tethered by a blue leash that curves gracefully across the lower portion of the canvas.
The arrangement evokes a sense of controlled chaos – a carefully constructed scene where disparate elements are brought together in an unexpected manner. The pears, the horses, and the dog all contribute to this feeling of playful absurdity. One might interpret the image as a commentary on human interaction with nature or perhaps a symbolic representation of balance and control within a seemingly unpredictable world. The deliberate stylization and unusual color choices suggest that the artist is less interested in realistic portrayal than in exploring themes of fantasy, domestication, and the peculiar relationships between humans and animals.

The vertical format further emphasizes the hierarchical arrangement of elements, drawing the viewers eye upwards from the dog to the man and then to the horses above. The signature at the bottom right corner provides a subtle grounding element within this otherwise dreamlike scene.