101cm x 101cm Acrylic on canvas White frame

I wanna be old and happy Surrounded by friends and family A little peace inside, a few laugh lines And the man I love still smiling at me. Singing and dancing Still taking some chances.

The idea for this joyful song and painting came from a dark place originally. The end of a long and abusive relationship. As I was leaving, he said: ‘You won’t be young and beautiful forever you know.’ As if that was somehow going to make me stay! My answer? ‘I don’t want to be young and beautiful forever, I want to be old and happy.’ The day I left, I saved my life. I freed myself. And my future changed. So once again, I set about making beauty from ugliness. As I painted, I imagined my twilight years, and saw vibrant colours, lots of joy, not a worry in the world. Peace. I gravitated to my favourite fluro pink and orange for femininity and joy, and purples for spirituality. There is a little darkness in the blues to represent the past. Had I stayed, this painting would look very different.