Watercolour 21 × 14 “ Framed 29 × 22 inches Can be shipped unframed only)

Watercolour still life featuring the postcard image of John Singer Sargent’s painting “Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose”, the one that drove him nuts trying to paint it from life, at twilight. It literally took years as the short space of time between the closing of the day and evening hours is so short and weather so inclement in the western isles, that I wondered how he managed to do it at all. What with clambering with his big easal and all the paints to get it all set up (he could hardly have left his studio gear outside in the elements! Those impressionist painters have a lot to answer for!!)

I got a little bit obsessed with this painting too and while trying to paint a fitting tribute to my hero artist for a themed exhibition at the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club, I ended up painting 4 versions until I was happy!

This was one of the spin offs. I often add a post card of a painting that I am obsessed with into a still life painting. It prompts colours, memories, and narative around an otherwise sterile piece of art.

The original is in the Tate modern in London. Sargent’s, not mine.