How do you see me?

How do you see me?
How do I see me?
I used to find my scars ugly and repulsive. Fat purple slugs on my skin that wouldn't leave me alone. People would stare and ask about them. Total strangers would look at them in disgust, and that made me feel disgusting.
I felt like they defined how other people thought of me; If my scars were ugly, then so was I.

It's taken a long long time, but now I see them for what they are. A part of me. They may not be pretty, but it doesn't make me ugly, and anyone who truly loves me will be able to see past them and find the beauty on the inside, and maybe even find some in them.

There will be no more gloves, no more makeup. I won't hide them for fear of other people's oppinion anymore. I can be beautiful too. Perfect even.



This peice is completley and utterly inspired by ^StJoan, who's poem Scars [link] brought me to tears with the realisation that I didn't HAVE to be ugly in my own mind, that as a part of me, my scars could be beautiful too.
It hit me like a brick to the head, I'd never thought of it that way before, and I was amazed that I hadn't.
Even now, it still makes me cry, it hits that close to the heart.

So this peice is half thankyou to St Joan, and half declaration. I was so inspired by her, that I had to try and inspire people myself, and art is my way how.
I hope I have even half as much of an impact on you as she had on me.
Please, right now, go and read the poem that started this all [link]

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Materials:
My new prismacolour pencils!!! My parents bought 120 of them for me for chrissie! best gift EVER!!

A3 watercolour paper, it's a bit too textured for these new soft pencils, so I'll remember that for next time.

Reference is me! With a bit of photographic self portrait advice from *homicidal-mistress, as I fail at photography. it took about 150 shots to get that one, and even then the top of my head and the back of my head missed the frame!

The entire thing is an experiment, new pencils, new perspective, strange photography, and a new colour scheme, not to mention a new outlook.

I can't keep away from symbolism, but this time it's not so crowded, and I'm not going to explain it to you.


I AM THINKING ABOUT SELLING PRINTS OF THIS WORK IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED!
Please note me, comment or email me at poketheturtle@hotmail.com.

This work is copyright to Rhiannon Lavis (~oddballoffun) and may not be copied or re-distributed without my express written consent. I really like this work, so don't you bastards steal or I'll leave angry, venomous snakes in your bed, then sue you.