Trompe L'oeil and Humor Gallery

Trompe L'oeil (French for "fool the eye") is a two dimensional painting designed to represent an actual three dimensional space or to fool the viewer that part of the painting is breaking out of the two dimensional limitations of the painting. It requires near photo-realistic painting and careful design. Whimsy is a bonus feature.

I also love devoting paintings to the absurd. In the end, life if anything is a humorous experience.

"Chicken or the Egg"

Acrylic on Panel, 24 x 48 inches

The first of what I hope will be a series of idioms come to life. The eternal question of “Which came first?” with an added twist. This is a whimsical combination of seven images and was a delight to create.

"Oz"

Acrylic on scroll cut panel, roughly 16 X 26 inches, 2019, Private collection

This piece was made for a specific show dealing with the power of imagery created by books. Although the images are from the movie, “Wizard of Oz”, similar imagery could be created in the reader’s mind. I created the design, cut the plywood to shape with a jigsaw and then painted the image. The resulting work is popular with kids and adults alike. I want to create a series of “books” like this for use in children’s rooms.

"1200 Block, H Street"

Acrylic on panel, 16 by 20 inches, private collection.

A rather simple picture of the building on the "paper" is taped to the faux brick wall. For fun, I made the blue tape peel away in the upper left hand corner, as well as having been "taped" to the wall in a crooked manner.

"Pear, Pomegranite and Dove"

Acrylic on panel, 16 x 20 inches

Everything you see is painted. Note the grasshopper sitting on the picture frame as well as the blue fabric hanging out of the "painting" and into the frame.

"Italian Fare"

Acrylic on panel, 16 by 20 inches, Collection of the artist.

A still life painting of some Italian related ingredients in a faux painted frame. Note the flower and green onions break the plane of the painting and cover part of the frame.