This self portrait, completed in 2023, was based on a conversation I wanted to have with my younger self. I positioned myself to talk to my inner child to tell her it would all be OK, that being an artist is a 'real job' and you can do it. The painting of the child's drawing on the easel is based on a very early memory from school being told how good my drawing was, whilst at the same time being informed that people draw as a hobby, not as a profession. This was a statement I believed and went on to base life choices on. However, time has allowed me to follow my original path, that my child self wanted to choose.