The "Lasher" referred to in the title is a weir that diverts water around Slapton Mill in the village of Abthorpe, a village in rural Northamptonshire. This striking image, with the flare of the sun through the trees, belongs to his series of on-the-spot sketches that he referred to as "sketchbook paintings"*. 

*Peter & Sargy Mann, 2008, Sargy Mann; Probably the Best Blind Painter in Peckham

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Sargy Mann was born in Hythe, Kent in 1937. He studied at the Camberwell School of Art and then returned to the school as a lecturer from 1969-1988. He held a number of other academic and curatorial positions including, co-curator of the "Bonnard at le Bosquest" exhibition at the Hayward Gallery ( 1994) and Visiting lecturer at the Prince's Drawing School (1999-2008). He exhibited extensively at the Royal Academy, Royal College of Art and the Mall Galleries.

Sargy was diagnosed with cataracts at the age of 36 and ultimately lost his sight but continued to paint and exhibit to astonishing effect for the last 25 years of his life.

His obituary can be read here.