Smiley Face in Green Stipple
Painting on paper • Signed 'STEPHEN 85' (likely a contemporary student or hobbyist artist from the mid-1980s)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Pop-Surrealism / Illustration
Medium & Technique
Acrylic or gouache on paper; employs stippling/splatter technique for the background, flat application for the central motif, and dimensional trompe l'oeil for the 'water droplets.'
Creation Period
1985 (based on signature date)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9x9 inches centered on a larger rectangular sheet; square format.
Subject Description
A deep green square field featuring a faintly outlined smiley face icon. The composition is overlaid with white splattered dots and stylized vertical 'drips' or droplets rendered with white and black highlights to create a 3D effect.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible edge wear to the paper support and some slight buckling, but the paint layer appears stable.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Likely a private collection, possibly an architectural or design student's portfolio based on the sketchbook format visible in the surrounding context.
Art Historical Significance
Minor; representative of 1980s graphic design aesthetics and the pervasive cultural influence of the smiley face emblem during that decade.
Notable Features
Distinctive use of white and black paint to simulate dew or condensation; signed and dated 'STEPHEN 85' in the lower-right corner in metallic or light-toned ink.
Condition Issues
Minor smudging on the white margins; slight unevenness in the paper surface due to wet media application; no major losses or pigment degradation visible.
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free matting and UV-protective glass to prevent fading of the green pigment; keep in a temperature-controlled environment away from moisture.