In my own skin

I really am so thankful for all the new people I've been introduced to over the last week or so on this blog, and for the community of creative support I'm finding on the web.  Artists are just awesome people I've decided, and the world would be a better place if we ran things (though it may be a more disorganized and poor place, but hey, at least we'd all get along, right?).  This photo in particular had two sources of inspiration.  One being the self portraits of Heather Addley on 365 Days of Me , which inspires me not only because there are some really great photos but also because of her using this project to "see her body in a new light".  As someone who went through a period of anorexia as a teenager and still struggles to accept myself (even though my brain tells me I'm a fool for thinking I'm "fat"), I really appreciate a glimpse into another woman's struggle with these issues.  My second inspiration came from a comment from grow365 mentioning portraits of Georgia O'Keefe which I immediately looked up and was amazed by.  I loved the expressiveness in her hands.  I know what I did today didn't even come close, but I really am starting to like the idea of portraits that don't include a face or at least don't feature it.  So I am back to needing models again!