One day, my radiologist friend, who specialises in CT and MRI scans, nonchalantly said, "Julia, the head is the sturdiest part of the body; breaking a skull is incredibly difficult." This idea fascinated me. We always seem to be so cautious about head injuries, yet here was a doctor with a completely different perspective. This conversation sparked my inspiration for the painting "Sturdy Skull," which is part of my medical series.

Creating my artworks is a meticulous process. For this particular piece, I spent around 20 hours in graphic editing software. But then I decided to add a personal touch. I painted several beautiful flowers with watercolours on paper. You see, I was born left-handed, but I didn’t want to stand out among other children, so I developed ambidextrous skills. Now, I can draw with both hands, though I can only write letters with my right. Even as a little girl, I realised that holding brushes in both hands meant I could finish twice as fast! Why can’t we do the same with computer mice?

After scanning the watercolour flowers, I incorporated them into my digital file, and the skeleton’s head blossomed. The final image was printed using the giclée technique at a local print shop. I then visited my friends at the frame workshop, where we spent a long time choosing the perfect frame and mount. How do you like the light wood frame? It seems to accentuate the natural vitality and complements the overall perception of the painting.

I took a photo of the finished painting at home, against my picturesque blue wall (yes, I painted the walls in my apartment myself). This project took so long that my cold drink for hot weather eventually turned into a cup of hot tea. There I was, holding the cup in my left hand, the mouse in my right, and still drawing brains.

Why brains? I was contemplating the intricate and delicate nature of neurosurgery. When people ask me where I get such unusual and quirky ideas, I simply reply, "My brain is just wired differently." I plan to continue my "Medicine" series, and I hope these works will find fans among those who want to thank their doctors for their professional work or even for medical miracles.