I remember how badly I wanted to get my first period. Beneath all the teasing from friends, sisters and even my mom promising to get me a giant pad‐shaped cake with red icing, I could not deny the excitement and anticipation of something I felt was magical. I loved knowing that I would have something in common with all the women around me that I looked up to.

I’m pretty sure I even wore my sister’s pads to school for practice.

For me and most of my friends, I think it goes without saying, but this kind of excitement and self‐love was quickly tarnished as we absorbed hurtful teasing, ignorant comments and a new self-°©‐perception taught by surrounding media.

It has taken YEARS of undoing and relearning that it is okay to love myself the way I am. Menstruation is a normal bodily function that I am proud of because it is amazing and powerful.

Being a woman and having experienced girlhood is important to me and I think my artwork reflects that. The colors, shapes, imagery, materials and overall content are always influenced by this. This thing we are taught is a dirty little secret is exactly the opposite not at all dirty, nothing to be ashamed of and beautiful in a moving way.

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