In this painting, I explore the significance of the skating neighbourhood in my formative years. The pair of ice skates front and centre, symbolizing a pivotal period of personal growth, independence, and the pure joy of having something that was solely my own.

Rendered in values of cool blue, reminiscent of the crisp temperatures at the skating rink, the artwork encapsulates the immersive experience of this neighbourhood. 

Like a penguin to an iceberg, I quickly adapted to the graceful movements and freedom the ice provided. It became my sanctuary, a place where I discovered the thrill of self-reliance.

While my parents played a role in getting me to the rink and tying my skates during those initial years, once I stepped onto the ice, a profound sense of independence enveloped me. The feeling of gliding across the frozen surface, propelled solely by my own efforts, instilled in me a sense of self-assurance and empowered me to explore the limits of my capabilities.

Through this painting, I invite viewers to reflect upon their own experiences of newfound independence and the neighbourhoods that allowed them to flourish. It serves as a celebration of the transformative power of stepping onto the ice, where the boundaries of possibility expand, and a world of self-discovery opens up.

"Skating Neighbourhood: Embracing Independence" captures the essence of those early moments when the skates became an extension of myself, propelling me forward into a realm of boundless exploration and uncharted freedom.