I am a writer and painter. For me, painting is a meditative practice which helps me to centre myself and reflect. I usually enjoy exploring the faces of those I love by painting their portraits, but more recently I am using symbols, shape and colour less faithfully: guided more by intuition than by what I "see". My autism gives me a unique perspective and I am honing my skills at sharing the beauty of that perspective with others.

In this painting I wanted to explore how the question "Is there a history of mental illness in your family?" made me feel. I was identified as autistic at age 45, so have lived with a lifetime of masking and avoidance of my uniqueness. I look back over my family history and see the similar characteristics echoing through my genetic heritage. This painting honours my own story and the story of my family, it also honours the unanswered questions of my youth, and leaves space for those who choose not to ask.

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