This is a self portrait that digs deep into personal history. I may look very angry, which, to be honest, I was. But saying that expressing such anger was the motivation behind this painting would be a miserable understatement. I wanted to say I was afraid, very afraid, but I didn't know how. So I decided to paint it, so as to say it in disguise.

I wouldn't have been able to admit it, but I secretly knew I had already begun to experience severe dental issues. I could feel it, and if I had thoroughly looked for them, I could have also seen it, I'm sure. But I was so engulfed by all other aspects of my insane life, that this lack of sanity in particular seemed dismissible- but it wasn't. Some time later (actually, a few months after I painted this portrait) and when the problem became so large that it took over my health in an incontrollable fashion, I decided it was time to assume it. It was time to take action. I wanted to stay in this life, to embrace new beginnings. And, overall, to finally be fine.