Figure Drawing Original

Figure Drawing

I drew a figure that I told her she could fit. 

A nip here, a tuck there, erased the softer bits.

I pushed and shoved and shouted and begged, 

But in the end, she popped right back into shape. 

I stopped and took a deep breath, looked her in the eye. 

"Maybe, just maybe it isn't all about your size.

Are you gentle? Are you kind?

Are you vibrant and full of life?"

I began to see her differently;

My perspective began to shift. 

I leaned in close, saw her inner gift.

"Maybe you weren't meant to stay between the lines.

Maybe you're exactly how you're supposed to be;

And you're supposed to be mine." 

So I loosened up, I let her be. 

I blurred the harsh edges between perfection and reality. 

I learned to love her exactly how she stands

And it turns out, she shines a bit brighter when I choose to take her hand. 

"Figure Drawing" 11x14" charcoal and watercolor on paper. 2026.

I wrote this poem a year ago. It just flowed out of me one day, and I saw the painting I'd make to go with it. I remember sitting at my desk crying because it wasn't something I could create. It just wasn't true. But I held onto it as a promise that one day, it would be. 

Holy Spirit brought me back to the poem this week. I'm finally able to say I've never taken care of myself better or loved myself more than I do right now. I'm working hard to get in shape, but for the first time, it's not because I'm being abused into it or punishing myself for having put on the weight in the first place. It's because I genuinely want to be the best and strongest version of myself. I never knew what it felt like for my own body not to be the enemy... And now, I finally do. 

I wanted to share my journey for in case you're still walking out your own. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. It's okay to love yourself like you believe it. 💖

This piece comes framed and matted in a basic black frame.