An original watercolour painting by Sarah Wallace-Smith on Saunders Waterford 240gsm paper. This work is unframed and measures 21x29 cm. 

I love that watercolour allows both attention to detail and a simple joy of letting the water dance in puddles of pigment, forming these delicious curvilinear ‘Hag Stones’.  Instead of rendering these forms as they are in nature, I employ colour and pattern as a starting point for the viewer to consider these singular or connected forms.

The patterns are often a mash up of daily vignettes or porcelain patterns handed down through the women in my own family. Or, from amongst a myriad of treasures seen on the shelves I pass on the way to my art studio, nestled inside Valentines Antiques.

I have always been fascinated in “women’s work” and “old wives’ tales”. I love that a lot of this knowledge is passed on at the kitchen table over a cup of tea or a meal shared. When I lived in the UK, I heard about and spent many hours searching for “Hag Stones”. Apparently, you must find your own (and only one – ever!) You cannot be given one. These little stones are found to have perfect holes bored right through them. It is said that women brave enough to wear them around their neck often had special gifts. Holding the pebble to their eye, they could look straight through the hole into another time and place entirely. Others were not so lucky….stories abound of hapless folk being blinded in an instant as they sought to catch a glimpse of what was beyond their reach.

Living overseas for many years, in the days before the internet and facetime,  I used to think that if I could find one, I might be able see what was happening back on the other side of the world or indeed, the universe… in real time or, more excitingly still, to step back in time.

Please note that sometimes, the white of the paper and colours may differ slightly. Please ring or email me before purchasing, if at all concerned or if you would like help with framing options.

This work is available in alternate sizes as a limited edition fine art print until sold out.  Contact me directly for enquiries.