Commission a Siren Portrait in Watercolour!
"Painting in watercolour is intense ! Theres a wild looseness, a surrender that sets the scene for some unique and very beautiful pieces." Dee Smart.
Dee Smart paints with a visceral honesty that captures more than likeness — she captures essence.Finalist many times in Archibald, Moran and National art prize. Her portraits reveal what often goes unseen: the quiet strength, the emotional weight, and the transformative spirit of her subject.
Historically and bathed in ancient Mythology, the Siren was represented as a sensual and alluring figure, both feared and revered, like seen in Homer’s epic poem, ‘The Odyssey’.
Smart's portrayal of her Sirens, including Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and luminaries Audre Lorde and Bell Hooks, is a thoughtful reimagining of these historical women, with an almost subtle defiance.
Beckoning us to heed the call of the Siren, and to look past their extraneous beauty, Smart invites us to seek out the Siren’s untold stories and bare witness to their struggles and the many obstacles that they have had to overcome.
Whether honouring a milestone, a relationship, or a quiet personal truth, Dee's portraits become more than just images — they capture a moment in life that questions and communicates the WHERE WHY and HOW of this incredible being. A treasured celebration of the person.
"I never tire of working in Watercolour on paper, beautiful expensive paper!" Dee laughs.
How to get Dee Smart to paint your Portrait as a SIREN on exquisite Arches paper.
1. Enquiry
To begin, submit an expression of interest using the chat box
2. Consultation
Dee will arrange a time to meet virtually — to explore your story, intentions, and connection to the subject. This is where the emotional tone of the portrait begins to take shape.
3. Proposal
You'll receive a custom proposal including pricing, dimensions, timeframe, and material details. Dee works in oil and mixed media, on canvas or panel. Framing and delivery options can also be included.
4. Sitting(s)
Dee will need you for half an hour in the outfit you’d like to be painted in (unless it’s a fantasy creation). The pose and expression will be captured by a professional art photographer at a very high resolution, which Dee will use as the basis for your portrait
5. Creation
Over the coming weeks, the portrait is layered, developed, and refined in studio. You may receive a progress photo mid-way, though many clients choose to experience the finished work with fresh eyes.
6. Delivery
The final portrait is presented with care — either framed or ready for professional framing. Each piece is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a short note about its making.
Historically and bathed in ancient Mythology, the Siren was represented as a sensual and alluring figure, both feared and revered, like seen in Homer’s epic poem, ‘The Odyssey’.
Smart's portrayal of her Sirens, including Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and luminaries Audre Lorde and Bell Hooks, is a thoughtful reimagining of these historical women, with an almost subtle defiance.
Beckoning us to heed the call of the Siren, and to look past their extraneous beauty, Smart invites us to seek out the Siren’s untold stories and bare witness to their struggles and the many obstacles that they have had to overcome.