JR

“

I painted the word LOVE because I needed something to hold onto.

JR
London
2023

London Coffee Factory

LOVE

My story

This painting meant so much during a time of despair for me.

I had been through court fighting for access to my son.

I soon lost contact again.

I had to do something to distract my mind and focus one step at a time.

I painted the word LOVE as a reminder—why it hurts, why it was worth the fight, and why I had to go on.

Making became part of moving forward

What began as something to focus my mind became something much bigger.

I kept drawing. I kept experimenting—dogs, music, street art, graphic work, and painting. Sometimes detailed, sometimes loose, and sometimes simply an idea I wanted to get onto paper.

There isn't one style. That's part of it.

Creating gives me somewhere to put what I'm feeling. It keeps my mind occupied, gives me something to work towards, and reminds me that I can still make something positive.