RESERVED - Float Away (Original Acrylic Trompe L'Oeil Painting by Kim Testone)

"Float Away," acrylic on panel, 4" x 4". This original tiny painting was based on a real-life sugar cookie, frosting and pretzel model that I baked and decorated and then replicated with acrylic paint in the trompe l'oeil style. This means that the painting is virtually flat, but it is painted in a way that looks three-dimensional and highly realistic in its details. I use multiple translucent acrylic glazes applied with very small soft watercolor brushes. 

"Float Away" features a tiny decorated sugar cookie hot air balloon, floating among a blue frosted sky with tiny cookie clouds and two extra tiny birds silhouetted among the scene. The balloon basket, made of pretzel sticks, features a swooping green frosting garland, often used to signify endurance, life and the promise of spring. This piece was partially inspired by my time living in Central Florida, when I'd occasionally encounter early morning skies filled with colorful hot air balloons. The balloon in "Float Away" appears to be at peace with its surroundings, yet moving ever so slightly, perhaps toward something more wonderful. 

Like my other works, I wanted this piece to stand as a source of inspiration for people from a wide range of backgrounds who could connect with something in the piece. Using cookies, frosting and pretzels as the base design elements allows an easier entry point for viewers to enjoy and thoughtfully consider the work.

This painting was mostly completed during my live painting sessions on Twitch. Please feel free to stop in and watch my Twitch streams four days a week: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

Questions? Please feel free to contact us here.