A New Painting, A Continuing Dialogue

I’m thrilled to share my latest art work, Brain Fog — an acrylic painting that continues my exploration of mental health and the challenges of navigating life in the modern age. As with my previous pieces, this work combines sharp geometric forms with vivid colour contrasts to reflect internal states of being. But Brain Fog pushes the concept further. It confronts not only the theme of mental overload but also the disjointed, often fragmented self that emerges in response to daily stress, pressure, and the constant pull of digital life.

Mental health is at the core of my artistic practice. I’m fascinated by the inner world — how people experience their thoughts, emotions, and sensory environments. With Brain Fog, I wanted to make that invisible experience visible, tangible, and emotionally resonant.

Behind the Technique: Frog Tape, Precision, and Patience

A defining feature of my work is the clean, crisp lines that separate each section of the painting. Achieving this sharpness requires a great deal of patience. I use frog tape to mask off each area, working section by section to layer the acrylics and build the composition gradually. It’s a meticulous process — one that mirrors the way many of us try to make sense of the messiness inside our minds by compartmentalising it, bit by bit.

This technique also allows me to create a visual contrast between chaos and control. On one hand, the forms and colours feel erratic and unexpected, like thoughts bouncing around during a period of anxiety or stress. On the other, the precision of the tape gives structure and containment. It’s this tension — between losing control and holding it all together — that I believe we can all relate to.

The Fragmented Self: Portraiture as Emotional Topography

At first glance, Brain Fog is a portrait. But it’s not a traditional likeness. The face depicted here is abstracted, sliced into blocks of colour, shape, and shadow. Certain elements suggest facial features — lips, a nose, eyes — but they don’t fully cohere. And that’s intentional.

This figure isn’t meant to represent a specific person. It’s a stand-in for the fractured self that so many of us experience during times of mental fatigue, stress, or sensory overload. It’s a visual metaphor for what it feels like when our thoughts are scattered, when we struggle to focus, or when we’re emotionally overwhelmed. The image captures a moment of inner disarray — a psychological map rendered in colour and form.

The Colour Language of Mental States

One of the most striking aspects of Brain Fog is the colour palette. I chose a vivid spray painted turquoise as the backdrop — a colour that can feel both calming and unsettling, depending on context. Against that calm field, I layered blocks of vibrant red, orange, cobalt blue, and deep green.

The Colour Language of Mental States

One of the most striking aspects of Brain Fog is the colour palette. I chose a vivid spray painted turquoise as the backdrop — a colour that can feel both calming and unsettling, depending on context. Against that calm field, I layered blocks of vibrant red, orange, cobalt blue, and deep green.

Mental Health and the Age of Information Overload

In many ways, Brain Fog is a commentary on how we cope with the demands of modern life. We live in an era of constant connection — where we’re bombarded by notifications, headlines, and pressures to be productive at all times. For many, this leads to a persistent state of low-grade mental exhaustion, where focusing becomes difficult, and the emotional load feels overwhelming.

This painting reflects that experience. The scattered forms, the layering, the partial obscuring of the face — all of it points to the way our identities can feel fragmented by too much input and too little time to process. It's not just about anxiety or burnout — it’s about the cumulative impact of living in a world that rarely gives us a moment to pause, reflect, or fully breathe.

Why Abstract Portraiture Matters in the Mental Health Conversation

Art has always been a mirror for the human experience. For me, abstract portraiture is a way to talk about mental health without resorting to clichés or overly literal imagery. By deconstructing the human face, I’m able to explore identity, emotion, and vulnerability in a way that’s both personal and universal.

In Brain Fog, the absence of full facial clarity invites the viewer to project their own experience onto the image. Maybe you see your own struggles with attention, memory, or emotional burnout. Maybe you see a friend or loved one who’s going through something similar. Whatever the case, the goal is to open up a space for empathy and conversation.

I’m not trying to “solve” mental health issues through art — that’s not the role of an artist. But I do believe that visual art can make the internal external. It can give form to feelings that are otherwise hard to express. And in doing so, it can help reduce stigma and encourage dialogue.

Creating With Intention: The Healing Power of Process

Beyond the final image, the process of creating Brain Fog was itself therapeutic. There’s something meditative about the act of taping, painting, removing tape, and repeating. It’s a rhythm — a slow, intentional practice that stands in contrast to the rapid pace of everyday life.

Many artists will tell you that the act of creating is as important as the finished work. That’s certainly true for me. This painting allowed me to process my own thoughts, to sit with discomfort, and to translate complex feelings into something others could see and connect with.

Closing Thoughts: Art as a Bridge to Understanding

Brain Fog is more than a painting. It’s an invitation — to reflect, to relate, and to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that often get buried beneath the noise of modern living. Whether you're someone who has experienced brain fog firsthand or you’re simply drawn to the abstract language of colour and form, I hope this piece speaks to you in a meaningful way.

You can view Brain Fog and other recent works here on my website. If it resonates with you, feel free to share it — the more we talk about mental health, the more we normalise the fact that none of us are alone in our struggles.