"Tangled" by Janet Chui

This painting took a very long time to do, not just because of the detail but because I had to steal time to paint while looking after the toddler, going back to work part-time, frequent doctor visits, being sick and constantly deprived of sleep. With these various commitments and challenges, Tangled was painted because that seemed to be my life—immobilized by circumstances and having little choice in the time and activities of the day. In the world of the painting, imagine a dryad (or tree spirit) who’s chosen to take slumber at the bottom of a tree. Outside the forest, the world of humans, towering skyscrapers and cars creeps ever closer and closer. It may be better just to stay asleep.

Watercolours, A3 (or 11 by 14 inches).