The Emotional Landscape
This piece explores the emotional alignment that comes from knowing what you want and honouring it. Your nervous system feels safer when your actions match your desires. If you keep ignoring your needs, you override your body’s natural responses and teach your nervous system that your needs don’t matter. When you hold boundaries, the brain recognises that consistency as self-respect and begins to rewire, turning consistency into evidence of who you are becoming.
When you follow through on what you want, those small repetitive choices build identity over time. Confidence becomes a natural by-product of that consistency. Showing up to the canvas then becomes evidence of who you are becoming.
The Story of Creation
The philosophical backbone behind this work is Rene Descartes’ idea “I think therefore I am”, reinterpreted through a creative lens as “I paint therefore I am”. Painting became the proof of being an artist, not something to aspire to be but something demonstrated through action. Each time I showed up to the canvas I gave my nervous system another reason to trust myself. The creation of this piece is rooted in the simple audacity to act before you feel ready and to let consistency shape who you become.
Personal Connection
Identity is shaped by the mirror of possibility, meaning that if you only surround yourself with examples of struggle, your nervous system quietly learns that success is unrealistic. Being around encouragement and inspiration reinforces the belief that success is an achievable outcome and you belong in that space too. The right people catalyse us towards our dreams and reflect back the version of yourself you are becoming.
This piece reflects the shift from trying to be an artist to recognising that you already are one. Creative identity is often tangled in proving yourself but confidence becomes a natural by-product of aligned action and supportive surroundings. Choosing to act before you feel ready, and trusting yourself, allows your identity to solidify through action rather than permission.
Display recommendations
Size: 150cm x 100cm
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas
Your life expands the moment you stop waiting for permission and start acting in alignment with who you already are. If this piece speaks to you, click below to bring it home.
