This is a symbolic self-portrait, and the explanation is as follows:

The first verse I learnt when I became a Christian was Psalm 27:8 – ‘My heart says of you, “seek his face!” your face, Lord, I will seek.’  The heart symbol has been used frequently in my paintings.  The symbol of the cross, and how it is a dividing line between darkness and light has also been frequently used as a theme in my art works.  I put in the eyes because when I was a young girl I enjoyed drawing faces, and especially eyes.  These eyes are in the style of Picasso whose work I like, and my eyes are green.  I favour painting with black outlines, so that is also featured.  The blue is representing water, as New Zealand is surrounded by water, and I grew up ‘in the city of sails’ and I was blessed to have a view of the water when growing up.  There are also bits of paua shell to represent New Zealand.  The top word is partially hidden, which is written as ‘Me’ with a heart on the end, as I often sign my name with a heart on the end of the tail.