Katie O’Hagan (b. 1971, Scotland) paints predominantly photorealistic portraits. The selfportrait Life Raft has its roots in an extremely turbulent period of her life. Solid ground seemed to be eroding beneath her feet. When the image of a raft popped up in her head, she decided to build one herself and to use it as a model. In this work, O’Hagan finds herself on the raft, far out at sea, as she paints the wooden branches under her bare feet in a darker tone. Her art, her urge to create and her creative power keep her head above water.