February 4, 2023

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I’ve mentioned before that I like documenting life as it’s happening (or while it’s fresh on my mind). That can be journaling, blogging, live-drawing, or just taking photos. While I’m not as active on Twitter anymore, I was active around this time last year and into the summer. I was scrolling back to last year’s Tweets, and I love that they exist as a record of where my mind was. I was hopeful for what the new year would bring. I started going to a new-ish church (the “ish” is a long story) and making new friends. I had just joined a virtual international Christian artist group (some of whom I wound up meeting in person in LA!). And I did over 100 quick portraits of strangers on the Internet.

I just Tweeted that I wanted more portrait practice, so I asked if anyone wanted to volunteer their selfies as reference. Knowing how vulnerable it can be to have someone draw you, I figured I might get 3 or 4 volunteers. After the first 3, I got a flood of requests… and I fulfilled every single one.

I didn’t get a single complaint; quite the opposite. The reactions I got were amazement and gratitude (…and also Venmo tips!). I think there are so many people in the world who’ve never seen the uniqueness in themselves. At best, most people don’t think of themselves as anything special, but at worst, they’ve been bullied or abused into seeing themselves as garbage. 

What I got out of the exercise wasn’t just more portrait practice. I realized what a privilege it was for someone to trust me with their likeness. I became a student of each face, making sure I captured their unique beauty. Faces tell stories; they have laugh lines, smile lines, forehead creases, expressive eyes. While drawing, I had thoughts like, “Wow, he seems like such a warm, fatherly man,” or “She is spunky and creative, probably someone who lights up a room.” 

Here’s what I Tweeted after doing all those: “If you’ve ever felt self conscious about how you look… let me tell you. I’ve been drawing faces for two days now and not a single one is ugly. You bear the image of God. That includes your forehead, smile lines, laugh lines, nose size. Your face is perfect.” (And obviously, that applies to the rest of the body.)

If you’re a resolution person, go into the rest of this year knowing that you look perfect the way you are, and any diet and exercise you choose to do should be about being healthy, not to gain the attention and acceptance of other people. Personally, I find that people are most attractive when they’re being themselves, perfectly in their element. If you have a corny sense of humor, then crack your corny jokes. If you’re a nerd about something, then talk about it. If you have a weird nose, then know that you are one one of 7 billion people who has it; it’s uniquely yours. The right people will love you for you, and God already loves you perfectly.

About the Author

Vania Hardy is an artist, illustrator, and designer who loves helping people find their creative uniqueness and create inspiring spaces in which to live, work, and thrive. Her bodies of work include painted acrylic pieces on canvas, an array of illustrated children's books, and small business branding.

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