As an expressionist painter, there was one task on the course that I especially loved. It centered around the colours violet and yellow, finding tones / shades and proportions that resonated with the emotions of an experience.

I drew on an experience earlier in the day in the coffee shop. A couple next to me were finishing bowls of porridge. When the woman stood up, I could see she was hugely pregnant. She moved her hand over her bump in that arc that mothers make - from the top, over, down, under. Her partner wrapped her coat tenderly around her shoulders in another arc.

Drawing: arcs and shapes from the coffee shop

Our eyes met and I asked if she had long to go. "I'm having contractions every five minutes, so I hope not," she replied.

My skin prickled into goose bumps.

I searched for words, remembering.

"It will be the best day of your life."

Her partner with eyes like a scared rabbit.

They walked back to the hospital. And I went to paint.

Pale lemon yellow: cold fear

Ochre: human warmth

Dark dark violet, made from indigo and crimson: deadening pain

Lighter violet: the rest - holy, sacred, amazing, huge