BLOODLINES

BLOODLINES (2022) – 96.52 CM X 121.92 CM – OIL PAINTING ON CANVAS

I painted this portrait because I wanted to show a personal, vulnerable side of myself and my Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) journey. It’s taken from a reference photo that I took during one of my first dialysis sessions in the hospital in 2021. It was an emotional time for many reasons, I felt scared, bewildered, exhausted and sad but also relieved to be getting the treatment as it would make me feel better over time. 

When I got home after the first few sessions, I burst into tears as soon as I saw my wife. It was not only exhausting on my body, I felt emotionally drained, especially with travelling 90 minutes each way to Oxford from Swindon and having the 4-hour dialysis sessions 3 times per week.

I’m hoping it reveals a sensitive side as an artist, a vulnerable side. Being able to expose the tough times through my art will hopefully uplift others, or at least provoke some emotional reaction that leads to positive action or reflection.