You Only Live Twice

100 x 140cm , Mixed Medium

This painting is one of my personal favourites because it’s funny, cinematic, and full of little stories hidden inside. The man behind the wheel is Sean Connery — the very first James Bond. But in this scene, he’s not chasing villains or saving the world. Instead, he’s facing a very different kind of mission: making a choice.

If you look closely, there are three things happening around him. On one side, there’s the glowing Bigs Bunny Motel — maybe a little temptation waiting behind that neon sign. Above, a UFO is beaming someone helplessly into the sky. And then there’s Bond himself, just sitting there, calm and collected, enjoying his cigarette like nothing’s wrong.

So what’s he going to do? Will he be distracted by the bunny motel? Will he notice the UFO and jump into action? Or will he just stay in his car, enjoying the moment?

That’s the fun part — because the answer you choose probably says something about you.

I also added a small detail that changes everything — the red “P” plate on his Aston Martin. I wanted to show Bond in a different light. He’s always portrayed as perfect — the smoothest, smartest, most confident man alive. But in my version, he’s still learning. He’s under probation, just like the rest of us sometimes — not flawless, not finished, just figuring things out.

The colours in this painting are intentionally playful — a mix of glowing greens, soft reds, and dreamlike tones that blend mystery with humour. It’s a piece that makes people smile, think, and maybe see a little bit of themselves in this moment of hesitation.

Because sometimes, even James Bond deserves to take a break and wonder what to do next.