This October I had the honour of creating and photographing two beautiful body paints especially for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lorraine and her dear friend Christa have both undergone bilateral mastectomies and wanted a creative and unique way to honour their individual journeys as well as their special friendship.
"We are both Emergency Doctors. It would be neat to do something to promote our colleagues etc to getting screened. But also to focus on living healthy and fit, post breast cancer." - Lorraine
Both Lorraine and Christa had very clear and thoughtful visions for their body art, each element having a very special meaning. From a starry Gold Coast beach scene with Polly the service dog; to a bright and bold rainbow bouquet sash, it was a delightful challenge to bring these ideas to life.
"The vision I have for the body painting is an opportunity to try what a beautiful floral tattoo would look like over my mastectomy scars."- Christa
Each body paint took about 2.5 - 3hrs to complete and I was thrilled to then put my previous career in photography to good use again with a mini photo shoot. I even had a crack at making some floral crowns for the first time and may have stumbled upon a new crafty obsession!
We were all delighted to have Lorraine and Christa's body paint and inspiring story make the local news...
Lorraine and Christa also created their own inspiring slideshow to spread awareness that breast cancer can affect anyone, we can all be patients and that you shouldn't wait for a life event to ask yourself... are you living your best life?
What an incredible honour it was to body paint and spend time getting to know these two wonderful warriors. Their joy and gratitude is infectious and their appreciation for each others' friendship and support inspiring.
AND THE BIG QUESTION IS...
have YOU checked your boobs??
Changes to look for include:
> a new lump or lumpiness, especially if it's only in one breast
> a change in the size or shape of your breast
> a change to the nipple, such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion
> a nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing
> a change in the skin of your breast such as redness or dimpling
> an unusual pain that doesn't go away.
Visit the Cancer Australia website for more information
Thank you Lorraine and Christa for trusting me to bring these artworks, and your brave journeys to life. Onward.
xx Bodhi xx