Lulu, my friendly black cat, was acting differently. She mostly lay there and didn't eat much, her weight had plummeted and her normally shiny fur was matte and dull. The vet's diagnosis hit me hard, she had diabetes.

When I learned this the only thing that mattered to me was that Lulu got better. Everything else took a back seat. I learned to give her needles and prick her little ears for blood samples, I learned about diet changes, I learned how to attach a continuous glucose monitor and to give her shots of insulin. I shifted my life so that I could take care of her.

The early days were rough, making many changes, doing all the medical stuff, and seeing little results. I remember carrying her to her food because she didn't have the energy to get up and do it for herself. The only option I would accept, was her getting better. So I focused on that. I kept up with her new medical routine.

Instead of worrying, I painted and imagined her well and happy. This all happened while I was working full-time on a TV project. So I only got to see and take care of Lulu on the evenings and weekends. This was when the painting got done too, layer by layer, over a few months.

One day, after I had finished the painting, Lulu went into full remission. She was back at a healthy weight and her fur had regained its lustre. She was playful and again climbed up into my lap. I felt so grateful that her little body, with help from a diet change and insulin, was able to heal itself.

The original intention of this piece was about imagination and longing to escape. But through the process, it took on a different meaning. One of healing and hope. This painting has given me everything it could, I would now like to see it bolster someone else. Can you imagine this painting brightening up your space?

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