Commission a Siren Portrait in Watercolour!

"Painting in watercolour is intense. There's a wild looseness, a surrender that sets the scene for some unique and very beautiful pieces." — Dee Smart

Commission a Siren Portrait in Watercolour

Rooted in ancient mythology and steeped in the imagery of Homer's Odyssey, the Siren has long occupied a powerful place in the human imagination — a figure both feared and revered, sensual and alluring, whose call compels us to look deeper than the surface.

Dee Smart's Siren series is a thoughtful and quietly defiant reimagining of some of history's most iconic women. Frida Kahlo, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Audre Lorde and Bell Hooks — each rendered not as passive symbols of beauty or desire, but as complex, resilient beings whose untold stories demand to be witnessed. Beckoning us to heed the call of the Siren and to look past their extraneous beauty, Smart invites us to seek out what lies beneath — the struggles carried in silence, the obstacles overcome, the enduring power that history so often failed to name.

This is portraiture as an act of reclamation.

Now, you can enter that lineage.

A Siren portrait places you within this tradition — not as an object to be admired, but as a sovereign figure in your own right. Painted in luminous watercolour on exquisite Arches paper, each commission is an intimate act of witness — honouring your story, your strength, and the particular mythology of your life.

"I never tire of working in watercolour on paper — beautiful, expensive paper!" — Dee Smart

How to Commission Your Siren Portrait

1. Enquiry
Begin by reaching out through the contact form below. Share a little about yourself and what calls you to the Siren series.

2. Consultation
Dee will arrange a time to connect — in person or virtually — to explore your story, the emotional tone you're drawn to, and the vision for your portrait. This conversation is where your Siren begins to take shape.

3. Proposal
You'll receive a personalised proposal including pricing, dimensions, timeframe and all material details. Each Siren portrait is painted in watercolour on Arches fine art paper — a surface chosen for its luminosity and depth.

4. Sitting
Dee will need approximately half an hour of your time. Whether you come as yourself or step into something more mythic, your pose and expression will be captured by a professional photographer at high resolution — the foundation from which your portrait is built.

5. Creation
Over the coming weeks, your Siren is brought to life — layered, refined and considered in studio. A progress image can be shared mid-way, though many choose to meet the finished work with entirely fresh eyes.

6. Delivery
Your completed portrait arrives with care — framed or ready for professional framing — accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a personal note from Dee about its making.