Tom Yum Mama is from my 50 Shades of Grub series, which grew out of my love of cooking, discovering new foods and exploring different flavours.

For me, food has always been about more than just eating. It is about the places we visit, the people we share a meal with, and the conversations and memories that linger long after the plates have been cleared.

This ongoing series of 50 paintings celebrates the joys of food and the many ways it brings colour and richness to our lives. Through painting the familiar and the unexpected, I invite myself, and hopefully others, to look at food a little differently, and savour the stories, experiences and connections that come with it.

Tom Yum Mama is a playful dedication to the Thai cook joyfully stirring her big pot of tom yum soup. Working over the fire in the sweltering heat, she still finds a way to dance as she cooks. The swirling reds capture the warmth of the broth and her kitchen, while touches of yellow and green hint at lemongrass and lime leaves rising through the steam.