NEWS: “The Illuminated Fountain” has been honoured by Artists In Montreal - winning the Best By Theme Award for the AIM’s Summer Art Show 2024 at Galérie BOA in Old Montreal . The theme for the exhibition was ‘summer daydreams. This painting is one of two of my pieces that were selected (the other being “Steering).

“The Illuminated Fountain” is an original watercolour painting I did of the fountain at Parc La Fontaine in Montreal. This fountain sits in the middle of the north pond at the park and it is usually surrounded by water during the summer months. Designed by Léon Trépanier, commissioned by Westinghouse, and erected in 1929, it was known as the “Illuminated Fountain” because the sprays of water were lit up by constantly changing lights. Due to the reconstruction of the Théatre de Verdure, the pond was empty for two years and the fountain was not functioning. Accessible on foot, it was repeatedly tagged with monikers, some tags covering those beneath, still showing through, a palimpsest of sorts. I captured several photos of it in early April, 2022, and these formed the reference for my painting. On a moody spring day, the fountain is illuminated not by jets of water and lights, but by colourful graffiti, and these colours are reflected in a large puddle disturbed only by rain drops. The street lamps and bridge in the background are the clues to the location being Parc La Fontaine. This painting is for someone who ponders the question of what is or is not art, and appreciates a fountain as a symbolic source of inspiration. Perhaps “The Illuminated Fountain” can shed some light on the discussion. This is a pure watercolour painting: all whites are the whites of the paper, no white paint was used. I used quite a few advanced watercolour techniques to create this piece including glazing, lifting, masking, negative painting and wet-in-wet.

This painting was published in Yolk Literary Journal Vol. 3.1 Summer 2023.

Watercolour, 14 x 20", framed size is approximately 19 x 25”, including a double-matte and a gold-painted wood frame. This is a pure watercolour: all my whites are the whites of the paper. It is painted with professional light-fast pigments on Arches 140 lb 100% cotton paper. The painting is signed by me, JC Little, on the front and has the title and date on the back. I will include a certificate of authenticity with this painting. It will be packed with stiff cardboard backing on both sides, and bubble wrap to protect it, inside a box. To avoid waste, where ever possible I will re-use mailers and other packaging materials. It’s framed behind glass, with an acid-free matte. To preserve the painting from deterioration, display away from direct sunlight.

SHIPPING via Canada Post with tracking and insurance. This item ships to Canada, the USA and most of the EU. If you are outside these territories, please reach out to me directly so I can quote you an accurate shipping rate.

Actual colours may vary from those shown here depending on the device you are using to view the painting. All copyright and reproduction/duplication rights are reserved by the artist JC Little. This painting will be sold with the condition that the artist may show the painting in an art gallery or other art show setting. Artist’s Resale Right: if this painting is resold by the buyer, the artist shall be entitled to a royalty of 5% of the price for the resale and all subsequent resales.

Get an Art Print on RedBubble HERE.
Prefer a signed print? Reach out to me HERE.