Red Pepper on Black and White SOLD

I've worked on this painting several times.  It's really a very simple painting but I just couldn't get it right.  I finally decided to completely neutralize the background - I've made it black and white and shades of gray. That contrast made the red pepper much more dramatic and important.  The background was originally reddish - I like how the red tone breaks through the newly painted whites and grays in several places.