I focus on the notion of ‘play’ when creating works with my hands and then explore this further with flutters of 24k gold leaf – a way of representing ‘light’ in times of possible emotional darkness. Using primarily oil paint, I take inspiration from nature through colour, and try to push all pre-connotations of what I am going to create out of my mind when placing oiled hand to virgin board. Being able to express current emotions onto something so clean (a primed surface) allows the ability to cause mess, therefore adding to the notion of play. The works I create also pay homage to the act of mark making and respectfully incorporate texture on different levels, these elements add to the journey of creating self-portraits on an emotional stand point and add to the viewer experience when learning the language of me, my works, the process and how.