Art brings acceptance

I have to write today about the wonderful artist I was introduced to yesterday by a NoBS sister (Amber Smith, thank you!)

The artist is Kat Shaw and her work is not just stunning, it’s empowering! https://katshaw.art/ is her website if you want to go directly there to see her world. She’s also on Facebook, Instagram and has an Etsy shop.

This is one of my favorites. https://katshaw.art/product/i-take-up-space-affirmation-canvas-prints/

When I looked at this, I saw myself. Literally, I look at this body, this shape, it’s lines and I say “that is me.” As I look at the message, the colors and the beauty, I fall in love with this canvas. Some how she took what traditionally doesn’t hold beauty in mainstream standards and unveiled the true beauty that has always been there. As I went through her site I was shown so many gorgeous works, so many objects of pure beauty, and it struck me. If these are beautiful, so am I.

I was so moved I wrote her a short message:

I’m not sure how you have done this, but I look at your art, see reflections of my own body, think “this is beautiful” so therefore I realize I am beautiful too. Thank you!

Just a few hours later I received a reply:

Omgggggg

This is the best message I could ever receive

Thanks so much for reaching out

It means the world to me x

I spent a lot of time looking at her site. Among the many things I found and loved, I discovered a project she did called the Self Love Project. https://katshaw.art/projects-and-exhibitions/self-love/

I decided to embrace this project to solidify my feelings that I too am beautiful right now.

Of course I am still on an adventure to lose weight and become a stronger, healthier version of myself, but it’s an adventure that has the pounds lost listed at the bottom of the goals. The stronger, healthier part is not just about my physical body, it’s about my mind. My emotional bandwidth. My ability to pivot. To be able to look in the mirror now and say “I love you and I’m so thankful for being me!”

I wrote my “I’m worthy” message on my left leg. The leg that endured the most trauma from my car crash. That leg is shorter. It’s more scarred. It’s larger. It’s deformed.

It’s also so awesomely strong! It’s amazing. It’s powerful. It’s proof that I am resilient, persistent, and unwilling to accept defeat. It is also beautiful, just like every other part of me.