Do you love paella? And would you like to bring a little Andalusian sunshine into your kitchen?

Then this painting might be just the thing!

Maria Makes Paella is an original acrylic painting on paper, created while I was staying in Andalusia, southern Spain.

We had been told that a local woman was coming to prepare paella for our evening meal. Naturally, I was curious. Cooking is such a wonderfully expressive activity, full of movement, concentration and the pleasure of making something for others.

I asked whether Maria would mind if I painted her while she worked.

She agreed, and even put on lipstick for the occasion!

I found a place where I could observe her as she prepared the meal, and painted two original works right there on the spot.

I love painting people absorbed in what they are doing. Whether someone is cooking, playing music, dancing or simply going about their daily life, there is something fascinating about the gestures and movements that make each activity unique.

Painting directly from life is particularly exciting because everything is constantly changing.

There is no time to fuss over unnecessary details. I have to look carefully, respond quickly and trust my eye and my hand.

In Maria Makes Paella, I wanted to capture not only Maria at work, but something of the atmosphere of that memorable occasion.

The pleasure of watching someone prepare a meal, the anticipation of sitting down together and the warmth of sharing good food.

This painting is a companion to Cooking Paella. Both were painted during the same occasion in Andalusia, and they would look wonderful displayed together, bringing a little Mediterranean warmth and character into your home.

Because food is about so much more than eating. It is about generosity, tradition, companionship and the joy of bringing people together.

I am fascinated by the beauty of ordinary life. So many moments that we barely notice are filled with wonderful possibilities for painting.

A woman preparing dinner may seem an unremarkable subject, yet through observation, colour and expressive brushwork, an everyday activity becomes something worth celebrating.

And I am delighted to say that the paella tasted every bit as wonderful as the experience of painting Maria!

At 30 × 40 cm, Maria Makes Paella is a lovely original artwork for a kitchen, dining room or anywhere that people gather to enjoy food and conversation.

It would make a particularly thoughtful gift for someone who loves cooking, Spanish culture or the pleasures of Mediterranean life.

Perhaps it will bring back memories of a wonderful holiday, a favourite meal or a memorable evening spent around the table with friends.

A little celebration of good food, good company and the extraordinary beauty of everyday life.

Artwork details

• Title: Maria Makes Paella

• Original artwork: One of a kind, only one original exists

• Medium: Acrylic on paper

• Dimensions: 30 × 40 cm (height × width)

• Inspiration: Maria preparing traditional paella in Andalusia, Spain

• Technique: Painted directly from life, on location

• Style: Contemporary figurative and expressive painting

• Themes: Cooking, food, Andalusian life, hospitality and human connection

• Artist: Sibylle Laubscher

This is an original, one-of-a-kind painting. There is only one in the world, and once it has found its new home, it will no longer be available.

Packaging and shipping

Your painting will be carefully wrapped in protective cellophane and sturdy cardboard to keep it safe during transport.