I took this work as a chance to repair my relationship with my father. When my parents divorced in 2007, I was asked to decide between living with mum or dad. I responded at once that I preferred to live with my mom. This was true, but the directness of my response hurt my father. I created these paintings as a way into the conversation I needed to have with him. I used oil pastel for its highly saturated colors. The rough marks are expressive, showing a sense of conflict and hence exaggerated emotions. Also, the texture of the oil pastel creates a vague effect, showing how the scenes are from my memory and hence a little hazy. Furthermore, oil pastel was my favorite material when I was a kid, so it is especially nostalgic for me. I mounted my work and gave it to my father, explaining the nature of my apology. I hope he will remember it every time he looks at the painting.