Lemonade and Black Liquorice

“Lemonade and Black Liquorice” is a playful visual love letter to two things I adore: the nostalgic charm of classic children’s book characters and my lifelong, unapologetic love for black liquorice. Growing up, I was always captivated by the quirky, eccentric figures in storybooks—the misfits, the creatures with odd proportions, and the characters who didn't quite fit into a perfect box. When I sat down to paint this piece, I wanted to channel that exact same light-hearted, whimsical energy. I wanted to create a visual world that felt like an afternoon snack turned into a living story. The painting thrives on a delicious, bittersweet contrast. The sharp, bold, and twisting black shapes represent the rich, chewy liquorice twist that I'm always reaching for in my local supermarket in Coburg. To cut through that heavy, dark texture, I splashed the canvas with vibrant, sunny yellows and energetic drips, mimicking the zesty, effervescent pop of a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.