A couple of weeks ago I had a phone call from the gallery in Marsden, Enjoy Art, asking if I would be interested in a commission. The lady had seen my work and rather liked my style and she was wanting a red iris. There's no such flower I said but yes please ask her to ring.
Wendy who is now based in Atlanta rang and we arranged a time to meet.
After discussing the possibilities we decided that it was worth a try.
It took me about a week to paint the flower - a bright red iris - and I wrapped it up and off I went to deliver it metaphorically keeping my fingers crossed in the hope that she would be pleased.
Wendy was thrilled to bits and so was I. So off it goes to foreign parts.
Wendy has been searching for the elusive red iris for a long time. This is the e-mail she sent to me which I think is just lovely so romantic ......
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That’s perfect.
I will love it – I love your style and you are lovely and I love red iris - and can't believe I found an artist to paint one.
I think it's so wonderful that I followed my fictional story all over the world from the Chinar Island of Dal Lake, Kashmir, to the ancient caves of the Gobi Desert, to the banks of the dried river in Isfahan, to the donkeys of Bukhara and the wilds of the Panj River in the Pamirs – to end up in Marsden with the elusive red iris – so it is a great end to the hunt. Thanks so much for being a part of the story :)
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This is the second commission I have been given through the gallery in Marsden and whilst it is always a worry when I am trying something new it is such a satisfying exercise because under normal circumstances I wouldn't be painting these particular pieces. I feel as though I have really accomplished something.
Sadly - no photograph because it's on my phone and I haven't yet worked out how to move photos on to my pc dammit - really must make an effort. But here is one I did earlier as they say and it was in fact what Wendy first saw in Enjoy Art and is still on sale in the gallery should anyone be interested....
