For this commissioned piece the client asked me if I could make a painting with a coot. The reason was simple; she likes these animals, especially because of their remarkable big feet. So I thought about it and came up with an idea of a baby coot. These little chicks not only have enormous feet, they are also 'born' with an amazing costume. If you compare them with little ducklings, you probably will say they are not as cute. They look a little weird, strange, different... But although the surrounding would sometimes say something else, it is good to be different, to be unique and to 'stand out'. When I send the proposal to the client it was amazing to hear her reaction. Without knowing I created an image that was meant to be hers. Born with red hair, being different turned out to be the recurring theme in her life... And so this commissioned piece became a very personal painting.