You've Got That Look Again

You’ve Got That Look Again

Digital sketch on iPad — Limited Edition Print

You’ve Got That Look Again takes its cue from Simply Red’s song Stars — that easy, soulful line that somehow says everything about recognition, love, and a bit of exasperation. It’s one of those phrases that sticks, and it felt perfect for this face. The piece plays on the long-standing tradition of the cow in “art” - whatever that is. A subject that always seems to sell, especially here in Belfast — but this one felt different. I couldn’t help giving her that unmistakably human look: part knowing, part unimpressed, part amused. Maybe she’s heard it all before.

I’ve tried to approach it with warmth and humour rather than cynicism. The loose, expressive brushstrokes and scrawled lyric turn a familiar subject into something gently absurd — a moment caught somewhere between affection and parody.

You’ve Got That Look Again is part of my ongoing series Sketchy Thoughts — a playful, growing body of work that parodies the kind of “art” we see for sale today. It’s a spontaneous visual diary of what I see around me. Created entirely on my iPad, these sketches appear wherever I happen to be — in the bath, on a plane, in the car, or on a beach somewhere — capturing thoughts before they slip away. Each piece is sparked by a passing emotion, a lyric, or a fleeting idea, turning quick impressions into lasting images.

Together, the works in Sketchy Thoughts explore the immediacy of perception and the humour woven through everyday life — quick, irreverent, sometimes sarcastic, but always rooted in the moment.
Stephen writes — not entirely convinced.

Edition details:

• Limited edition of 195, individually numbered

• Size options:

  • Small print: image size 24cm x 24cm, finished mounted size 30cm x 30cm

  • Large print: image size 29.5cm x 29.5cm, finished mounted size 40cm x 40cm

  Both sizes are also available framed in black wood, ready to hang.