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Below is a summation of the art shown above. Christine Mercer-Vernon is a dear friend, inspiration
and a wonderfully talented artist. I thank you Christine from the depths of my soul for being one of God's many gifts he has
blessed me with in my life and recovery.
"Hypocrisy"
At first glance, this painting is of a woman with an
incredibly fine-tuned physique, nice figure, perfect?? I painted this out of disgust for what society has dictated as a perfect
figure. Woman and men struggle every day with body image. I work in fitness and with eating disorder sufferers, I see this
day in and day out. Magazines such as Oxygen and M&F Hers all glorify the fitness competitor, they almost all brag about
their "clean" diets, healthy foods, eaten at regular intervals, never any processed or "bad" foods, exercise programs we all
wish we could commit to, an overall healthy lifestyle. BUT......a lot of them succumb to the call for larger breasts, and
have breast augmentation feeling this completes their physique some hoping this will give them what they need to win the competitions.
What message does this give? A little hypocrital, don't you think..............
"Recovery"
Initially weakened by her disease, Recovery has found new strengths
in herself. Overcoming a dominating cloud of darkness, she has risen above and is walking a new road in life. Opening the
door and allowing herself to be open as well, she welcomes those, still struggling, to join her on this journey. With a renewed
sense of self-confidence she begins to pull herself up, stepping gingerly upon her pedestal. Though it is small, it is strong
and steady and will support her as she raises her head smirking, she knows who she is.
Nourishing her body and facing her reflection no longer frighten
her. She carries a symbolic shield of strength and beauty and grasps her rope with pride, knowing she has the power in her
to keep herself steadily climbing.
"Triggered Feelings Raining Down"
An icon of strength for those recovering from an eating disorder,
Recovery knows the struggles well, but she also knows we all possess the strength to pull ourselves up out of the darkness
letting light shine upon us again.
Feelings of inadequacy, loss of control, sadness, depression, anxiety,
wanting to be accepted, wanting to be perfect, wanting to be beautiful, hating myself, hating my reflection….. Sometimes
they come out of nowhere, raining down on me, beating hard on my shoulders. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I go completely numb.
Brought on by so many things. Why do I have to feel this way?
"Road To Recovery"
Recovering from an eating disorder is a like traveling a road plagued
by drastically changing weather. Full of twists and turns, it's not an easy road to navigate. Crippling lightening, blinding
darkness, storms that occur spontaneously above jagged mountains. Around the bend there are sloping hills and warm sunshine
where, sometimes, you can lie in the fields and relax, self-assure. Occasionally, the storms sneak up on you, but if you stay
on the road, keep your head up and step steadily along, trust that the clouds will part. Because, even with all the dark and
dreary moments, there is hope that the sun will shine again, just around the bend.
"Alivia"
Is this beauty? Blonde hair, blue eyes, porcelain skin, petite,
thin..........isn't this what all the magazines and media show us? Really, is this what beauty is?
"Triggered Feelings"
Another body image painting reflecting
some poor feelings I was having towards myself on this day.
If you would like to purchase HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT please click on the following
links.
If you would like more information on Christine Mercer-Vernon please
click on the following link.
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