My Secret Life: Natasha Law, artist

Born in south London in 1970, Natasha Law is the older sister of the actor Jude Law. An artist trained at Camberwell College, she is renowned for using household paints to create predominantly erotic images, and has illustrated books including Camilla Morton's How to Walk in High Heels: the Girl's Guide to Everything. She lives in Peckham with her husband and three children, and her work will be exhibited at Room on Charing Cross Road, London W1, and the Eleven Gallery in London SW1, from Thurs to 16 Feb.

I drive: occasionally a BMW 2002 Tii, which was a birthday present and which sits waiting for a time when my life is free from huge plastic baby seats. Until then a Renault Scenic. Also a Marin bicycle, until it was nicked from our back garden a few weeks ago.

If I have time to myself: I go running for 45mins – any longer and I start to feel guilty about everything else I should be doing.

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at: climbing trees.

You may not know it but I'm no good at: introducing people. I am very inept socially. I get over-involved in conversations too. It's been the cause of many huge rows with partners.

A book that changed me: There hasn't been one. I can think of a few which I've re-read and realised that I have changed in the meantime. Do books really change people? Don't they just help you make up your mind?

Movie heaven: It Happened One Night, The Shining, McCabe and Mrs Miller.

Comfort eating: Rice, usually with a few vegetables and covered in sesame oil and soy. It's what I make when I don't have to cook for anyone but myself.

When I was a child: I wanted to be a journalist (with a flat overlooking Regent's Park, which shows how much I knew). Then an adult told me I had to keep a diary if I wanted to be a journalist, which knocked that on the head.

All my money goes on: paint.

At night I dream of: buildings with lots of staircases, losing children, exhibitions I've forgotten to paint any pictures for – the usual.

My favourite building: is the studio two doors down from me. It's a barn-like late-Victorian ex-workshop with parquet floor and windows all along the length of it. I love it and I'll never be able to afford it, which just makes it all the more attractive.

It's not fashionable but I like: the London congestion charge.

If I wasn't me I'd like to be: a little old French lady with a small dog.

My favourite work of art: At the moment it's Lily (with black eye) by Ryan McGinley.Soundtrack to my life ... I Want Some by Make Up.

The best invention ever: anaesthetic.