A Journey of Self-Discovery

Who am I? How do I see myself? What is real, and what is simply a façade? These are the questions I am exploring in my series, I Wasn’t Lying, Only Pretending.

This body of work delves into the complexities of self-perception, identity, and authenticity. It’s about the stories we tell ourselves and the roles we play—sometimes consciously, often unconsciously. As I grow older, I’ve become more aware of the “masks” I’ve crafted over the years: beliefs and behaviours that once served me but no longer do. I’ve also started to notice the voice of my ego—the one that says, “Don’t stand out too much,” “Be likeable,” “Don’t think anyone will care about your art.” For a long time, I listened to that voice.

But recently, I’ve begun to listen to something else: the quieter, gentler voice of my intuition, my Muse. This Muse doesn’t demand perfection or approval; she simply whispers, “Create what you love. Be bold. Try something new. Trust yourself.” She invites me to embrace curiosity and authenticity, to release the need for validation and instead follow the threads of what feels true.

This series of self-portraits is a deeply personal journey into those threads. It’s about peeling back layers—both literal and metaphorical—and exploring the tension between who I am, who I think I am, and who I want to be. Each piece is an invitation to reflect, to play, and to discover. Sometimes the work is raw and direct; other times, it’s abstract and suggestive. The process is as much about finding as it is about letting go.

The title, I Wasn’t Lying, Only Pretending, captures the heart of this exploration. It’s not about deception, but about the ways we try to fit into the world, sometimes at the expense of our truest selves. It’s about the beauty and vulnerability of that struggle—about learning to embrace both the controlled and the unpredictable, the certainty and the unknown.

Through this work, I hope to connect with others who see themselves in the same questions: Who am I beneath the roles I play? How do I balance authenticity with the desire to belong? What happens when I dare to listen to the voice that says, “Be exactly who you are”?

As with all my work, I don’t begin with a fixed idea of what these portraits will become. They evolve through play and experimentation, with each mark, layer, and discovery revealing something new. I hope these pieces spark something in you—a connection, a memory, or perhaps a curiosity to explore your own truths.

Follow THIS LINK to see the whole series.

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