"I Am More Than The Sum Of My Geometry" - mixed media on canvas, 24 x 18. Framed matte black. Available on Artfinder.
During the Unleashed event last week, I was asked which part of my body I most loved. My initial response was hands, because they both create things and do work. Then shoulders, because they don't age like all the other parts and because they are symbolic of how much I have carried on them and survived in my life. But I keep contemplating the question, and find myself, after Unleashed, discovering each part to be a favorite in one way or another. Something I would not have done before. I've been paying more attention to the things we verbalize about our bodies. There are a lot of negative comments, a lot of humor, but very few, ok NO women around me in the last week have said something nice about their own bodies or any part of them. So I polled a few men about their thoughts on body image. They all found themselves to be robust, super attractive, healthy and sexy people with no self-consciousness whatsoever. And a couple of these guys were members of A.A.R.P. Now a few people is not a scientific survey by any means, but I guarantee the same number of women would not have this response at all. Hmmmmm. I am determined to think differently about my own body, and to take the time to verbalize to other women how truly beautiful, strong, sexy and resilient they are. Women can be hard on each other and themselves...I hear it, I cannot ignore it. If we are what we think, then it is time to think the things we want to be and not something less than. The human body is a miracle every day, our sensory experience of the world, a house for our spirits and a haven for our minds. Our sanctuary and our army. Our artist and our laborer. This piece is for you, sweet ladies! We are much more than the sum of our geometry....but geometry can be a beautiful badass, too. Would love to hear from you...favorite body part?
6 Comments
5/24/2017 05:09:26 pm
I've always loved geometry.
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jen
5/24/2017 05:35:45 pm
Yes, YES! Talk it up, because it is a masterpiece, as well as a temple for everything good you have ever experienced. And thanks for making me feel SUPER SPECIAL in my wordsmith and art adventure!
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5/25/2017 10:29:48 am
I love how much insight participating in the Unleashed project has brought you. Hearing your experience from it, that will undoubtedly continue to show up in your life, fills my heart and ultimately empowers me, bringing the whole project full circle. I love it! In regards to hearing only negative comments from the women around you recently, can you imagine if we obsessed about how much we LOVE our bodies?!?!
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jen
5/25/2017 10:56:37 am
Melissa! Yes! Let's all obsess about loving our bodies! Love that idea, and I can just imagine the sweet relief of SO MUCH BAGGAGE that women will experience this way! Love the Louise Hay book, which is my "go-to" for body affirmations and for finding out what emotions are woven into this spirit temple of mine.
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5/31/2017 03:49:25 am
Love this figure!! Not talking about "my body" just yet! Makes me want to get back to the human figure as an inspiration.
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jen
5/31/2017 06:07:48 am
I would really like to see your figurative work, Carol! This one was a real stretch for me, but right now I am in the zone for reaching for new things. Some times you have to grab it while you can! ha ha!
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