Self Portrait

24 in x 18 in | watercolor, acrylic paint, acrylic paint markers on paper, cardboard, and indian blouse piece | 2025

Being a high school student, I'm constantly stressed and am always looking for a way to run from it. I have been an animal lover throughout my whole life. Being with animals is a way to escape the stressors in my life, and I've always had a love for them. When I'm in nature, I feel a sense of relaxation pouring over me. In this picture, my favorite animals, birds, dogs, horses, and fennec foxes are reflected. The birds in the painting are my pet birds, and the dog is my grandparents' dog in India. The frames symbolize picturing animals when I'm not around them, or when I need an escape from my daily activities, I often envision myself surrounded by them. The clock in the corner represents two things: me losing track of time when I'm with animals, and the timeless joy they bring me. As long as I'm surrounded by nature and animals, I will be grateful. I also used an Indian-designed cloth to show my connection to my culture.