The Story Behind 'True Colours' - A Painting About Peacocks, Confidence and Showing Up Authentically.

Some paintings arrive with a clear message, and True Colours was definitely one of those. This piece began with my fascination with peacocks - not just their stunning feathers, but their remarkable attitude towards beauty.

Peacocks don't apologise for their radiance. They don't dim their colours or hide their magnificence. They simply stand tall and let their true beauty shine. There's something deeply inspiring about that kind of unapologetic confidence, and I wanted to capture that feeling in paint.

Working with turquoise blues and green/gold felt like translating the language of peacock feathers onto canvas. These aren't colours that whisper - they're colours that sing. But I didn't want the painting to feel overwhelming or loud. Instead, I worked to create what I call vibrant calm - that perfect balance between expressive energy and soothing tranquillity.

The flowing brushstrokes move across the canvas with freedom and confidence, much like the sweeping display of a peacock's tail. Soft washes of cream and taupe create breathing space, allowing the bolder colours to really shine without competing for attention. Touches of white add shimmer and light throughout, catching the eye as you move around the piece.

What I love most about this painting is the deeper meaning it carries. We spend so much of our lives trying to fit in, to be appropriate, to not take up too much space or shine too brightly. But what if we approached our own beauty the way peacocks do? What if we showed our true colours without hesitation or apology?

This painting is my reminder - to myself and to anyone who sees it - that your authentic self, your true colours, are exactly what make you magnificent. Don't hide them. Don't dim them. Stand tall and let them shine.

That's the real gift of True Colours - not just beautiful art for your walls, but a daily invitation to show up fully as yourself.