The Emotional Landscape
Zest for Life is more than just a painting – it represents the moment I stopped chasing and started truly living. After years of pushing myself in England, measuring my worth by productivity and battling burnout, I found myself disconnected from the joy of creation. Moving to France and embracing the slower pace, the space to breathe, and the beauty in simplicity gave me permission to slow down and reconnect with myself.
This painting reflects that shift — a journey toward living with softness, finding power in presence, and embracing joy not as an indulgence, but as a necessity. The woman in the painting embodies that lesson: grounded, sensual, and fully at ease in her own body. She represents the version of myself I was learning to become.
Personal Connection
Zest for Life is the beginning of everything: choosing health over hustle, embracing creativity over constant doing, and falling back in love with painting. It came from a desire to romanticise the everyday — to make space for the moments I once overlooked: lemons on a windowsill, warm skin, deep laughter, and the golden light of the afternoon. I surrounded myself with these small pleasures as I worked, and they became a part of the painting.
The lemon symbolises the life I was building — bright, a little sharp, but full of vitality. The woman in the painting represents a version of myself I was just getting to know — someone who no longer felt the need to prove anything, who was allowed to take up space and enjoy it.
The Story of Creation
I painted Zest for Life slowly, letting it unfold at its own pace. It was the first time in years that creating felt intuitive again. I wasn’t focused on the outcome; I was simply allowing myself to feel. The sun-drenched yellows, soft pinks, and fresh greens in the palette reflect everything I was rediscovering – lightness, sensuality, ease.
The focus on the torso was intentional. This painting isn’t about performance or perfection; it’s about presence. The brushstrokes are loose, textured, and layered with floral details that invite closeness. The lemons, the lingerie, the warm tones – they hold more than beauty; they represent freedom.
This painting portrays me finally choosing to be myself. It’s about leaving behind the noise, the pressure, and the pace – and beginning to live in a way that feels good.
Display recommendations
Size: 81cm x 100cm
Medium: Acrylic paint and paste on canvas
This artwork thrives in spaces that seek elegance and tranquility, such as kitchens, sunrooms, or well-lit interiors. Its radiant yellows stand out best against neutral, earthy tones, creating a striking contrast. With its quiet confidence, Zest for Life serves as a daily reminder to embrace life’s richness and celebrate the beauty of the present moment.
