Self-generated assignment...unconventional art, myself as the medium

In two weeks I will be 38 years old. I have always used my body as an outlet for my creativity. I do not have tattoos( I have too short an attention span for art and get tired of things quickly, tattoos are too permanent) but I use my makeup and hair as an excuse to express myself artistically. This is not a new concept that I am expressing, but I have realized a way that I have used my skills as an artist to sculpt my body. When I hit 20, my body was in bad shape, I put on 20+ pounds and my metabolism had slowed tremendously. I had four kids after that and my energy level went downhill, along with my self esteem. I decided when I hit my mid 30's to do something about it - it was now or never! I began to run and bike, not much happened, I lost a little weight and felt a little better, but I thought I could do more. I realized that as an artist, I could shape my body ANYWAY I wanted to! So, I did and I am continuing to. It is a slow process compared to sculpting clay, but the rewards are well worth the patience.

Using weights and varying the repetitions and heaviness of the weight, I have been able to cut my size of my legs, bulk my shoulders, cut and shape my arms (which was my worst feature), and slim my waist and hips. I have literally made myself the sculpture. I have posted pictures above, one of me two years ago at a size 11, and one of me now in a size 3!