The holiday season is filled with wonderful memories, celebrations, commitments, family and friends. A mother’s love is unconditional. It supports and gives life to those entrusted to her and she guards this privilege zealously and with the utmost importance. A mother’s love orchestrates life so that those in her care are included, uplifted, loved, valued and will flourish. A mother’s love draws all in her circle into the holiday season with purpose, endeavouring to connect us, giving us laughter, hospitality, memories and valuable time together and our souls are nourished.

My work capture the essence of the Christmas spirit between friends and shows their strong friendship which accurately reflects what matters most during the holiday season, being around people you love!

Unfortunately this year my sister won't be with us to celebrate Christmas as she passed away from cancer on the 2nd of November. Every year she would prepare gingerbread cookies before Christmas and we'd spend the afternoon with our mum and my children decorating them to give them away as gifts.It matters most to me to keep this tradition going and to share make special memories with family. The holiday season is a time for baking,creating, eating and celebrating with family.

The holiday seasons for me is a time for family, love and laughter. It is these positive powerful moments in time that are remembered forever even after the passing of someone very special. They never leave but live on forever. So to me are the most precious and powerful moments that one can experience in their life. I believe I have captured one of these moments that are unforgettably valuable to life and will always bring me a little smile.

What matters most of all, the only essential thing for Christmas is time with family or friends, especially the children. No one should be left alone at Christmas. If you know someone is battling with losing a loved one at this hard time of the year we must do what we can to help them through. Ease their sadness and grief and fill their senses with care, offers to help with chores, meals or just an ear.

The holiday season is a time when you can catch up with people who are important in your life but who you might not see that often. Friendship is critical to your well-being and the lens through which you make important discoveries about the world and where you belong. A chat with a trusted friend during an enjoyable get together can help you reconnect with the past that helped you be the person you are; it has some positive value. My painting ‘Four Friends’ represents these ideas and themes.