Ah, gorgeous! These are the beautiful and empowering paintings of New York based artist Elisa Valenti, and as far as I’m concerned, the perfect way to kick off 2020. I love her work, and I super duper love the reason behind it:

“I grew up in a time when eating in public was shameful, stomach rolls made you unworthy, and shopping for clothes was traumatic. I grew up before being plus size was normal. My work reflects the images I wish I had seen—beautiful, luscious women doing ordinary things, just like everybody else. They are a reflection of my own battle with body image and my journey to mental health. If you’ve ever been made to feel insignificant, I hope they inspire you to own your image of yourself and never give that power to someone else.” 

Hell, YES! Now that is how you start a new decade. Thank you, Elisa.

{Found via Create Magazine}