Donald Sultan has been one of my favorite artists ever since I came face to face with the immense work Aqua Poppies, Dec 10, 2002 at the Mint Museum here in Charlotte a few years ago. (See a tiny version of the painting here.) It’s an 8×12′ mixed media piece worthy of a long look every time I visit the Mint.

This piece, Five Blue Flowers with Flocked Center, March 10, 2002, is not the one at the Mint but it similar in style and color:

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© Donald Sultan / Courtesy of Mary Ryan Gallery

Some of his more recent work is really knockin’ me out, it’s so good. This is Black and Orange, Jan 28, 2008:

Donald Sultan
© Donald Sultan / Courtesy of Mary Ryan Gallery

Black Trumpet, April 2008 (left) and Sand Trumpet, April 16, 2008 (right):

Donald Sultan
© Donald Sultan / Courtesy of Mary Ryan Gallery

And then here’s one from 1994 titled Fruits and Flowers III (Yellow Peppers):

Donald Sultan
© Donald Sultan / Courtesy of Mary Ryan Gallery

It’s the shapes and simplicity that I love most about Sultan’s work.

Check out more at Mary Ryan Gallery (click on the Donald Sultan link; Flash site with no direct link), Meyerovich Gallery, and artnet.com (the most comprehensive collection of his work online).