Hermosa meant big

I remember since I was a little girl, older women in my hometown started to tell my mom or me how 'hermosa' I was. Translation of 'Hermosa' (in Spanish) is 'beautiful' or 'wonderful'. But I knew they meant 'big'.

I guess it was, in their view, a way of talking about my physical appearance without me noticing. Why should they talk about my physical appearance is another question. And I was noticing, anyway. I was ashamed of myself, because I was that girl that was different from the others, the 'hermosa' one. Some of them, less cautious about how words can affect a little girl's feelings, directly called me big, and in occasions, fat. 

Sometimes we carry our insecurities deep inside us our entire lives. You can be sunbathing under a palm tree in Ibiza, taking selfies for your Instagram, and still silently battling the same insecurities you had at age 8.

With this painting, as with the rest of my collection Tropical Reflections, I want to honor that little girl and the resilience that women develop after all the expectations that are set on our shoulders since we are small. 

Hermosa meant big is size 50x60 cm, and it is NOT framed. The borders of the canvas are carefully painted and create a beautiful effect on the wall as it is. If you want your painting framed as in the pictures, contact me and I'll arrange it. Price for adding framing is +1000DKK. 

You can buy directly from my website or at Art Light CPH, a gallery located in Vesterbro (Copenhagen), where she is currently on view.