Smiling at Me by Bernadette McCormick

This drawing is based on a photograph taken the day before my birthday, a moment I remember clearly, in a place that still feels like home. The image was captured in Katherine, where I lived for five to six years – the longest I’ve ever stayed in one place. That day, I was happy. You can see it in my expression that I am relaxed, smiling, completely present. I titled the piece Smiling at Me because it shows a younger version of myself, one I still recognise and feel close to.

The coffee-stained background creates a sense of age and memory, like a cherished photograph that’s weathered over time. This portrait captures a moment of joy, and the feeling of being grounded, even when everything else is changing.