When I created this painting I wanted to embrace my own femininity. During art school I always felt creating art as a woman was somehow 'other'. In my learning modules there were often sections dedicated to female artists, which felt like the gender of the artist had a strong bearing on the art. Therefore I painted in a 'masculine' way, emulating Lucien Freud and other male artists. I didn't want the viewer to assume I was a woman and to put me into a specific category.
With this work I tried to unlearn these teachings and made a painting based on my emotions, sexuality and desires. I have always distanced these factors from my work, presenting figures in a technical, unemotional way. This painting feels like me in a way I have never felt before. It makes me feel powerful in the way that I feel, see and desire.