Self-portrait With Tea Rex

This self-portrait was created during a period of profound emotional weight, shortly after learning that my mother had been diagnosed with cancer. Faced with fear and uncertainty, I turned to painting not only as a form of expression, but as a way to hold myself together. I tried to remain brave and hopeful, sharing progress photos with my mum along the way. Soon after completing the portrait, she passed away. Red represents pain and pressure, while blue conveys peace and calm. These contrasting colours reflect the emotional turbulence I was experiencing grief intertwined with a quiet need for serenity. The cat, Tea Rex, is shy and sensitive, often retreating from noise and attention. She mirrored how I felt at the time: withdrawn and uncertain, yet quietly present. Holding her gave me a sense of steadiness and warmth when everything else felt like it was slipping away.