My artistic journey began with oil paintings, and out of all the mediums available, oils quickly became my favorite. There's something truly magical about applying that creamy paint onto the canvas—it's a feeling unlike any other. Oil painting became my first love. However, when my family and I moved to the United States and our family grew, it became increasingly difficult to continue working with oils. With two young children and no assistance in a new country, life became challenging. Moreover, oil painting demanded significant time, space, and energy. Like any devoted mother, I had to prioritise and set aside my love for oils. Yet, I couldn't ignore the void that emerged from not being able to create.

Thankfully, the universe introduced me to Zentangle—a simple and accessible art form that required minimal supplies, time, and space. It was a revelation. Through Zentangle, I found a new love that brought me contentment whenever I created. Over the years, I've worked with both mediums, and depending on the circumstances in my personal life, there were times when I immersed myself completely in oils, with Zentangle taking a backseat. Conversely, there were other periods when I wholeheartedly embraced Zentangle, temporarily leaving oils behind. It was a constant struggle to choose between them. Whenever I worked with oils, my mind would overflow with Zentangle ideas, and when engrossed in Zentangle, I'd be flooded with fantastic ideas for oils.

Deep down, I've always yearned to combine both mediums—to create an artwork that incorporates oils and Zentangle. It's been my dream. For this exhibition, I've been experimenting and attempting to bring this dream to life. At one point, I thought I had it all figured out—the experiments were successful, and everything seemed perfect—until I actually started merging the two. Last week, I experienced a major setback in the process. Things didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped, and I found myself back at square one. Nevertheless, the journey of experimentation, discovery and finding the right balance continues. I'm determined to make it work.