EMPOWERED - 002
Welcome back to ‘Empowered’, the series where I interview my incredible female clients about their relationship with their bodies, in the hope to spread a lot of love and encourage you all to love the skin you’re in. Thanks for coming back, this one’s a good one x
This interview was incredibly eye-opening for me, I totally related to it and it changed my own perception of my body. Not only that, I think I want to be this lovely ladies’ best mate because doesn’t she sound awesome x
This is exactly why I do what I do, to help people fall in love with their bodies a little more and to be able to feel confident in their own skin. Thank you for trusting me to paint you, (I know you’ll be reading this) and thank you for sharing your journey with us - I know you’re going to help someone out there.
I hope you enjoy reading this one. Thank you for all the continued support, you guys really are the best. I'm really loving this project so far and it seems you guys are too which makes me super, super happy <3
What do you love most about your body?
I love my curves, I love my bum, I love my hands, I love my eyes, I love my boobs. Thankful to be at a point where I'm really a fan of how my body looks and I love the things it can do for me and the possibilities that come with having it.
What are you most insecure about and why?
If you asked 20-year-old me I would have said ‘the cellulite on my legs’ or ‘my chunky arms’ or ‘my big nose’ - I had a list of things I hated and wished I could change. As I've gotten older, I've learnt to love and appreciate all the external things and I'm actually more insecure about the internal and the workings of my body as that dominates the relationship I have with my body in general. I still have wobbly days about the way I look but it’s always temporary. I'm a type 1 diabetic so my body doesn’t do the stuff it should and over the years the insecurity has meant me secretly injecting insulin in toilets so people wouldn’t stare or ask questions, hiding my chronic illnesses from dates so conversation didn’t get too heavy or serious, not looking after myself properly to make myself seem/feel normal. This insecurity has made my relationship with my body a complicated one as it’s had a negative impact. Surface level I'm happy with now but beyond is where I struggle.
What is your best non-physical feature?
I think my ability to always try and be compassionate and kind. I’m that person that you can text and will come running any time with a giant dairy milk and gin if you’re having a shit time. I love making people happy and seeing them having a good time which drives how I treat and interact with people – like I could have known you for 5 minutes or my whole life and I will try and put a smile on your face in any circumstance.
What made you want to get involved with this project?
Firstly, because I've been following your page and your art journey for a while and I love what you’ve been creating, you’re smashing it! And then I thought it might help me think a bit harder/deeper about my body and what I actually appreciate about it. Like I'm not shy at all when it comes to the physicality of my body, I will happily get naked in front of anyone (within reason obviously) but I need to learn to embrace every single piece of me and I'm not quite there yet but on the right path. Hoping this can nudge me in the right direction.
What colours do you associate with yourself?
I think because I'm quite a mellow person and a bit introverted. I would say orange/brown. Like I'm a warm person but it can take some getting to know me before you get a sense of who I am.