First impression – what do you see?
A drawing; a photo; a young-ish woman, somewhat thin… nude. Why? What is going on here?
Simply put, a peacemaking process.
The photograph was taken as a self-portrait during a difficult time. I photographed myself daily, a process of allowing myself to be seen…
Allowing myself to exist when self-rejection was overwhelming.
Using a timer on a digital camera, I took 3 photos a day for nearly 3 years. While I have taken other photos since, this daily practice was instensely liberating. I have gone back and traced or sketched many of the photos over the years as part of a practice to change my negative perception of my body into a more realistic and accepting perspective of self.
We all have our battle scars; my war with bulimia shows up in visible ribs, and my belly in this photo shows sagging and stretch marks from four pregancies, which while not battles, were powerful events for my body, and some of the most beautiful moments in my life.
I have drawn many self-portraits, and I will continue to do so, inviting others to join me in this practice, because it truly brings me peace. There is no war in my body, the war is in my mind, and this gentle process of seeing myself vulnerable, unprotected and real, is the best way I know to recognize how false and destructive all the noises in my head can be.
Please contact me if you’d like to give this practice a try. You do not need to know how to draw; it can be done very simply with online accompaniment.
MAD about my BODY 