'My name's Moné Betterton, I'm 24 and from Ipswich, Suffolk. I enjoy any chance to explore my creative side whether it be painting, sewing, photography, or digital art! When making this painting I wanted to include several aspects of my life, which were more exaggerated/enjoyed during lockdown. This would include in particular: yoga/exercise, a new found love for plants and gardening, the struggles of feeling alone and hopeless, and the up-and-down cycle of life and my emotions. In this way, the ying-yang imitation, by means of the 2 central leaves, could be symbolic of these waves of life, i.e. the ebb and flow or the highs and lows of life, which I think are so important for one to acknowledge. I try to remember that life is never perfect; it is an ongoing, continuous journey and no feeling is final. Therefore just experiencing each moment, savouring each lesson and taking life a day at a time is the main theme behind my creation. This too is the sort of thing I aim to remember in my everyday life to help my wellbeing and sense of perspective'

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- Moné Betterton