I thought a lot about this project before starting it. I wrote some and I sketched a bit. I had planned to make a self portrait but in the end I decided to draw my inner critic. 

It’s hard to remember a time without my inner critic by my side. I’ve heard her voice(?) since maybe the age of 10. She talked to me in a parental way, serious, somewhat strict, ‘you should’ve known better..’

Her presence feels feminine, like a more serious and mature version of me. Favorite topic is: your true self is not good enough, too sensitive, not the norm. It’s the controlling and judgmental voice that holds me back from big new ideas. She’s also brought some positive things: protection, safety, sense of right and wrong, and determination.

If she was in charge of my life: I wouldn’t try new things, I wouldn’t open up my true self to others, I would blend in with the crowd, and not speak up for myself. 

My inner critic has a new name. It came to me and stuck. It’s Serious Sue.