the EMPOWERMENT project
every body tells a story. this is how we honor yours.
the empowerment project began with my friend, keely in 2020.
keely was radiant and powerful. she taught me that every day can be the best day. she was magnetic and wise. she knew how to make everyone feel loved, even someone she'd just met. she was kind, generous, warm, passionate, and hilarious; her smile lit up every room, and i can still hear her laughing and slapping her knee. when breast cancer became part of her story, she inspired the first empowerment project — we honored her body and celebrated her journey the way we knew best: together, through art, adored with flowers.
keely understood how transformative this work was for me as an artist, as a woman, and as her best friend. and she knew what it could give to other women walking through something life-altering.
we lost keely in 2023. this project is how i carry her forward. every session since has been in her honor, a space for women to see their bodies not as something that happened to them, but as something still blooming.
what a session is
i paint directly on your body in black, stylized lines of florals chosen to represent your story. scars aren't covered or hidden. they become part of the garden. the painting gives them new life, and often, a new way to see them.
then we capture the moment with a professional photographer, so this chapter of your story is honored and kept.
i've painted women through breast cancer journeys, brain surgery recoveries, mastectomies, c-sections, and pregnancies. wherever your body has carried you, it belongs here.
what to expect
sessions are gentle, unhurried, and completely led by your comfort. we'll talk about your story first and what you want to honor. what flowers feel like yours. painting takes about an hour and a half to two hours depending on the detail, and the full session runs around three hours with the photoshoot.
you can come one-on-one, or gather your sisters, your survivors group, your family — group sessions are welcome and can be deeply powerful.
sessions take place at my art studio in northwest tucson, with the sonoran desert right outside — saguaros, wildflowers, and golden light for your photoshoot. if there's a place that belongs to your story — your home, your land, somewhere that matters — i'm happy to bring the session to you; travel costs are simply added to your session, and we'll work out the details together.
you choose what's photographed and what's shared. i never share names, stories, or images without permission. this is your story, you decide how it's told.
"being held in your creations was one of the most powerful healing experiences of my life. i'm forever grateful." — julie, past empowerment session participant
investment
every session is different, so every session is priced with you. sessions begin around $500, and i will always work within your budget. I believe this work should be reachable for the women who need it. reach out and we'll find a way.
questions you might have
- what do you paint with?
- washable liquid eyeliner. completely skin-safe and temporary. it washes off with soap and water whenever you're ready. the painting lives on in your photographs.
- how long does a session take?
- painting takes about 1.5–2 hours depending on the detail, and the full session with the photoshoot runs around 3 hours.
- is the session private?
- yes. my studio is private, and the only people present are the ones you choose to bring, plus the photographer when it's time to shoot.
- how much of my body is shown?
- that's entirely up to you. you choose what's painted, what's photographed, and what's ever shared. many sessions are captured so that nothing is shown you're not comfortable with.
- can i bring someone with me?
- yes — a partner, a sister, a friend. sessions can also be a group experience: survivor circles, families, and friend groups are welcome. please let me know ahead of time.
- do i have to share my story publicly?
- never. your images and story belong to you. nothing is shared without your permission — and staying completely anonymous is always an option.
begin your session
if your body is carrying a story you're ready to honor, i would be honored to paint it.
for photographers: the empowerment project is a collaboration. if you're a photographer who'd like to be part of this work, reach out — i'd love to create with you.