At one time, my daughter struggled with an eating disorder, which she has worked very hard to overcome. Thankfully, she's much healthier now. The experience caused me to look at the messages our culture presents, and this series of paintings is my response. This is the 1st canvas in a series of 3 called "be-YOU-t-ful" as an affirmation of being YOU, of inner beauty & individuality to everyone--but especially to girls & women--in contrast to the idea of "cookie cutter", spray-painted beauty advocated by the beauty, fashion and marketing industries. This modern, expressionist painting, which features a still life of assorted cosmetic items (perfume, lipstick, nail polish & necklace) is done in a distorted way to show how distorted our perceptions of ourselves & our body image can become as a result of industries that see us as consumers, not human beings. My message is that you're beautiful just as you are (i.e., "be-YOU") in body, mind, soul, talents, intelligence & abilities. Alcohol inks, acrylic & oils were used.