Fire Hair

"Fire Hair" is my first self-portrait, painted as a young teenager. I painted my hair as flames because, as a redhead and a Sagittarius, fire felt like part of my identity. It was a way to express who I was, even if I didn't fully understand why.

Growing up, my red hair constantly made me stand out. From teasing by other kids to strangers assuming I had a certain personality because of my hair color, I often felt like I was being defined before anyone knew me. Being different became another reason to feel awkward during a time when all I wanted was to fit in.

I didn't know much about astrology then. I just knew that fire felt like the right way to paint myself. Looking back, I wonder how much of our identities come from within and how much are shaped by the stories we're told about ourselves. Was I fiery because that's who I was, or because people expected that from a redheaded Sagittarius? It's a question I still find interesting today.