"That’s not as relatable to people. But as well as trying to capture a certain and perhaps evident melancholy, I like to present an undertone of strength. Some paintings embody that characteristic more obviously than others. But in every painting I do, I strive to imbue the subject with the juxtaposition of vulnerability and strength, in varying degrees.

I also like to contrast this rather intense and sobre portrayal with humour. I do that via abstract brushstrokes and an almost childlike representation of body parts.

A cartoonish hand holding a cigarette while the pains of life are etched in the subject’s face allows for light relief and, I believe, makes the painting more visually digestible."