Could we maybe do this together?

For a couple of years now, I’ve been trying to create my dream life. That not only includes painting, but also, and especially being more myself.

It’s a big challenge, becoming who you really are after years of trying to be who you think everyone else wants you to be. It’s not a quick process, and certainly not a linear one.

Fortunately my art helps me a lot: figuring out what and how I want to paint is a good exercise in becoming me. And that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do with my new collection, UNMUTE – Journey of a recovering people-pleaser.

I’m not there yet. I will probably never be the confident person full of self-love that I long to be. That’s why I think it’s a collective job: creating a world in which we are not afraid to say things like:

• “I’m scared I’m never going to be able to make this artist life work in a financial way.”

• “I’ve been having a hard time trying to relax lately.”

• “I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I don’t say that out loud because I would sound arrogant.”

So I was wondering: could we maybe do this together?