To be a writer means to be observant. I observe people, interview them, chat, and mostly listen. Being an observant writer involves reading between the lines. What are people saying without saying? A subtle glance upward when an emotion makes them uncomfortable, a nervous tick in their right hand when a question rubs them the wrong way. The body cannot lie. People live in the grey.

For this picture, I wanted to bathe in light. People are complex and complicated because of our individual experiences, and therefore, we do not live in a black-and-white world. My finger gently placed on my sex is simultaneously sexual and covering it. The trail of flowers leading to my breasts hints at exploring my sexuality. There are aspects of black and white, but I’m bathed in light that feels more silvertone or grey. I wanted this piece to represent my femininity, sexuality, innocence, and boldness in expressing myself through my body.

We are born naked. As we go through life, our experiences shape our personalities, character, and emotions. We hold these experiences in our bodies, especially unprocessed emotions. My hips, for example, are extremely tight because I felt closed off after a horrible illness last year. We carry our experiences in our bodies, and through our bodies, we can also heal and heal others.

Nothing is just black and white.