Heather Keith Freeman

Have any of you ever heard of Heather Keith Freeman. She is an artist from Pennsylvania.  I just so happen to come across her work as I was surfing the internet. By the way, do people still say that? Surfing the Internet LOL. Anywhoo, I  love her work. Most of her work is all about size acceptance.

Here’s a little bit about her which I found from http://www.fireseastudios.com/sc-about.php

“Heather Keith Freeman has been painting ever since she was old enough to hold a brush, on every available surface. Her work explores the anthromorphization of abstract concepts with vivid use of light and shadow, often combined with text to make profound statements about the hidden qualities of our culture. Social justice in all its manifestations is very important to her work, from the combating of racism and sexism to disability rights and size acceptance. She seeks to communicate that which lives in the space between word and image by the use of both in tandem, and the challenging of subconscious stereotypes and assumptions.”

This first piece is called “Taking Up Space”. I LOVE IT!!!! I mean hello, how often do you see a photo, drawing, or anything like this?  I’m sure its taboo to some people cause it’s a naked woman, whose NOT thin with all her glory hanging out. But I find it inspiring. Cause at the end of the day, most of us look more like this woman that any of the skinny stick thin woman that the media throws out at you.

Heather Keith Freeman describes this piece as “A black-and-white drawing of a fat woman from the side. She smiles, arm thrown out as if in the midst of dancing. Behind her are the words “The greatest crime of a fat woman is that she dares to TAKE UP SPACE”.

This second piece is called “Get Out Of Me”. You’ve heard the expression, “Inside every fat woman is a skinny woman trying to get out”. Well Heather was able to hit the nail on the head with this piece. I think she describes it best….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “We pause for an exorcism.

You know that incredibly loathsome phrase, “Inside every fat person is a thin person struggling to get out?”

Well, it’s kind of true. Except the thin person is not the perfectly healthy, sexy ideal person our culture would like you to believe. No, the thin person inside us is artificially starved, surgically reproportioned, plastic sculpted to make us perfectly pretty, empty-headed dolls.

The thin person inside us is Barbie.

GET IT OUT OF ME.

This is the representation of the voice in our ear whispering that we are worthless, ugly freaks if we don’t spend every spare moment exercising and every meal eating salad.

This is the urge to read the fashion magazines that leave us feeling shamed and fat and poor.

This is every cringe when we look in the mirror in the morning and see nothing but flaws.

This is the Disney princess and the Playboy centerfold and the meanest, prettiest cheerleader in the school.

This is the plastic mantra that we can’t unhear, repeating incessantly that we are only valued by our appearance, and by whether men want to fuck us.

And it’s inside me, permeating my being, poisoning my mind in ways I don’t even realize because it’s always been there.

GET IT OUT OF ME.”

 WELL SAID!!!! I don’t think I could have said it any better myself.

This 3rd and final piece is called “Not Yours II“. I love the message with this piece. Your body is yours AND NO ONE ELSES!!!! It doesn’t matter what you look like. It doesn’t matter what people have to say about your body. It is YOURS!!! No one is entitled to an opinion but YOU. Who cares if you are FAT and have curves. The important thing is that you are HEALTHY!!!! Just because you are skinny DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE !!!  Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for the way you look. What is most important is how YOU feel about yourself. Don’t let anyone make you feel unworthy just because you are not a size 0.

Heather describes her work as “A woman seen from front and below in black and white. Behind her float the words in white ‘NOT YOUR BODY / NOT YOUR LIFE / NOT YOUR BUSINESS’ . In her right hand she holds a paintbrush against her abdomen, where written in white is ‘NOT YOURS’. The message of this piece is centered on reproductive freedom, but many of the statements apply to gender identity and expression, religious freedom, disability rights, and gender equality as a whole. In short: my body is mine and mine alone. I and I alone have the right to control what happens within its borders, and to declare my own experience.”

You can view all of Heather’s works of art at http://www.fireseastudios.com/livingartist/?page_id=359.m. I would highly suggest you go there. She has tons of great pieces. And most of her stuff is done with just a pen. HOW AMAZING IS THAT???? I hope you all enjoyed.

❤  ~  Susie