Body Acceptance Bodypaint Series

Meaningful bodypaint
for & on people going through physical challenges

I believe that being truly Heard, Seen and Accepted is healing. And I believe that this art can foster empathy, growing our compassion muscles, as it invites the viewer to see into another's world.  

With this series, each client has something they’re processing about their body. They have decided to jump into this work with me and include this process as a tool in their growth.

I spend time with each client interviewing them, listening carefully to get a sense of what might serve them, which informs my design. I sometimes include a therapist in these conversations, to deepen the experience and help me clarify how I can best be of service. 

While I am designing and painting, I will ask questions like “tell me more about the thing you were talking about: where does that live in your body? Is there a color that feels like that?" I’ve discovered that it’s better not to have the design too tightly planned too soon in the process, so there is room for things to evolve with what feels true in the moment.

I often paint in a photographer's studio, before we do a professional photo shoot together. A good photographer can add so much, between lighting, adjusting the body, and cheerleading for a terrific experience!

Mastectomy Garden

“Bodies can be beautiful this way too” is what Julia wants other women facing breast cancer to know! Read the blog to see more pictures and learn all about the meaning in this art here

Dialysis Arm Transformations

“I always cover my [arm] in public, I don’t want anybody to see it. But when it’s painted, I walk through stores with it displayed proudly. For a precious, limited time, I feel confident, normal and even beautiful and special. It fills me with hope where there was little. ”
— Jonathan

These projects are FOR and ON people dealing with

  • cancer

  • mastectomy

  • disordered eating

  • chronic pain

  • pregnancy

  • dialysis changes

  • gender issues

  • body image

  • aging

  • what else…?

Know someone who'd like to participate?

You can see & read about a few more of these projects in the Blog section

Funded in part by a grant from