The Beautiful Project
There are people in your life right now, in this moment, participating in beauty. The beautiful project is about noticing the beauty of the everyday people in our communities and telling their story. Chaos and the ugly are swirling around us in the media. However, normal people living their lives and bettering their communities are the opposite of that chaos. Let's take back the word beautiful. Beauty doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean thin, cool or rich. It has nothing to do with what society has manufactured to be pretty. Pretty things are all about symmetry and perfection. Beautiful things are developed by distinguishing themselves from the background through difference. In art difference is beauty. Wouldn't it be nice if in life difference was beauty? You see beauty in the lines in your Grandma's face, or the stretch marks on your wife's pregnant belly. My way of combating all the ugly I see in the world constantly is to offer up the beautiful as contrast. It is time to recognize and elevate everyday people to the status previously reserved for the famous. Throwing out the idea that pretty is what we strive for and taking a more nuanced look at the beautiful moments all around us. Forget pretty, be Beautiful.
Beautiful Project #1: Gwendolyn
This is the painting that inspired The Beautiful Project. I was a mess that day. Gwendolyn was leaving for college. I had 24 hours until I was an empty nester. My other daughter Bryn having left 3 years earlier. Lance and I were going to be alone (cue scary organ music here). We needed to do a thousand things that day. I wanted to milk every last moment I had with her. Gwen said "Mom can we just stop, curl up on the big green couch, have some chai tea and watch a show together." I didn't have time for that, but it is what I needed. I looked at her and felt like I really saw her, maybe for the first time. She was a beautiful, confidant grown up woman, ready for this next chapter. Everything in that moment was actually okay, in fact it was beautiful. I took a quick picture of her and it inspired me to paint again. Gwendolyn without you this project wouldn't have happened. Your strength and humor are infectious. Gwendolyn you are more than pretty you are beautiful.
Beautiful Project #2: Bryn
Not to be overshadowed by her little sister Gwen, my next painting, without question, had to be Bryn. Bryn is my first born daughter and she is a radiant being of light. The word beautiful isn't big enough to encapsulate Bryn. This picture was given to me by her boyfriend Wade after he nominated her for the project. This picture was taken by Wade the moment right after Bryn caught her first fish. This photo captures Bryn's pride and tenacity. Bryn will try anything and attack at at 100%. She is the definition of a go getter. She is so proud of herself in this picture. Wade is in the reflected in her glasses. They both love the water and being outside and you can just see the joy beeming off her face in waves. What a moment, what a kid! Trying something new is amazing. Being proud of yourself that is beautiful. Bryn you are beautiful.
Beautiful Project #3: Hazel
Is there anything more beautiful than a teenager putting down her phone to look at the world around her? Hazel is an amazing appreciator. I have always admired her ability to be in the moment. I have known Hazel for 2 years, she is Gwendolyn's college roommate. I choose this moment to paint because I could feel it. It is a summer day at Hagg Lake. Gwen and Hazel have strung up the hammock and climbed inside together with a sandwich they are sharing. Friendship, food and a picturesque setting, don't you want to be there? I do. This picture made me want to be at the lake with friends. It filled me with joy and the smells of summer. The days where there was more to life than the daily grind. Beautiful day for a beautiful girls. Hazel, for always having the ability to put down the cell phone and look around at life, You are beautiful!
Beautiful Project #4: Vivi
I have been Vivi's teacher for the last 8 years. She is an unforgettable student. The first day of first grade she walked right up to me and said "Miss Stephanie I am an amazing artist." Yes, yes you are Vivi. When Vivi's mom Geneva sent me pictures of her to look through, I thought this scene says it all. Vivi is off center, she has clearly just fallen down and got back up. She is unsure on her skates but it doesn't stop her. She is going to do it. She is so determined. Remember being small and being brave? The days when you were not afraid to learn something new. Fall down get back up, fall down get back up, fall down get back up. Vivi, thank you for reminding me of my own resilience, you are beautiful.
Works in Progress- Coming Soon
