I have psoriatic arthritis. My symptoms include joint pains, psoriasis spots on my body and head, lupus rashes, exhaustion and depression. The parts of my body that are most affected are my right hand and head. I was diagnosed at 28 and I am 36 now. I can accept it now, but it is hard, also mentally.

My painting uses blue/violet because it represents my body in pain and the feeling of having bruised joints every day. I hope to create some awareness into the world.

Most people don't understand how a 36-year-old can look 'okay' but have so much pain. They see my Psoriasis on my head but that's all. Being chronically ill or having chronic pain is invisible.

I prefer to work with mixed media like in this piece with gouache and coloured pencils. But I also work with other art techniques like acrylic paint, watercolour, oil paint, graphite etc.