Gouache Paintings Appraisal

Pair of ACEO Original Gouache Floral Paintings

This lot consists of two ACEO (Artist Trading Card, Edition, and Original) sized original paintings, executed in gouache on what appears to be heavyweight watercolor paper or cardstock. Each painting depicts a vibrant, stylized floral arrangement with a distinctive folk art or whimsical aesthetic. The approximate size for each ACEO is typically 2.5 x 3.5 inches, consistent with the format. The artists utilized a rich palette of colors, applying gouache thickly, which gives the artwork a matte finish and vibrant opacity characteristic of the medium. The brushwork is visible, adding texture and a hand-painted quality, indicating individual artistic expression rather than mass production. The left painting features a large, bright pink, almost magenta, abstract floral form at the top, perhaps a fanciful mushroom or exotic bloom, contrasting with a large orange-petaled flower with a textured, reddish-brown center. A white, bell-shaped flower or lily is prominent at the bottom. These central elements are surrounded by smaller blue and yellow flowers, and various green foliage, all against a deep blue-green background. The right painting similarly showcases a lush floral composition. A prominent five-petaled white flower with blue accents and a bright yellow center dominates the upper half. Below it, an orange flower and a deep purple-red flower are visible, interspersed with green leaves and tendrils, and scattered smaller blue and yellow blossoms against a dark blue background. Both pieces are characterized by bold outlines and a somewhat flattened perspective, reminiscent of illustrative or decorative art. The edges of the paper appear clean with no noticeable fraying or damage, suggesting good preservation. The paintings are signed by the artist, Suzanne Dempsey, on the reverse side (as per provided context), which confirms their originality and provides artist attribution. The condition appears excellent, with no visible fading, smudges, or creases. The craftsmanship demonstrates a confident hand and a penchant for vivid color and decorative botanical themes. These pieces are likely contemporary, given the ACEO format's popularity in recent decades.