For at least as long as I've been painting, frogs have been a big feature for me. All stemming from my pre-existing interest in mythology. The Frog Prince is a story I love to use. I think the transformative power of love is a beautiful narrative.

Neither of the two characters, princess or frog know in advance how effected they would be until finally they kiss. She is transformed from a spoiled awful, hateful creature into a person with complex thoughts and feelings. He is transformed from an animal back into a human.

I made a painting early in my career of a frog holding a huge tube of lipstick, lips smeared with it, called 'The Frog Formerly Known as Prince' (a joke featuring the late great musician, of course). It sold soon after being finished, and I made a couple others.

And then, when my previous partner passed away from cancer in 2013, my only true solace in that trying time was my painting career, then in an early fledgling stage. He loved my frogs more than anything, so in part, this piece is an added tribute to him.

Frogs are lucky for me. For my birthday, my sweetheart got me a ceramic feng shui frog, supposed to bring wealth into the home. It's been working so far!

more of my work on instagram! @rachelsvparry