When Spanx founder Sara Blakely was heavily pregnant with her first son, she had an idea – one that would unite expectant mums around the world, one that would celebrate just how incredible a woman’s body is and one that would support all mothers, no matter their background or circumstance.
This idea, known as the Belly Art Project, has come to life in a series of stunning images that glow with positivity.
The Belly Art Project is not your typical coffee table book. Sure, it is filled with colourful images. Sure it is a great conversation starter. But it’s so much more.
The Book that Defines Motherhood
“Belly Art Project is part book, part movement, and part celebration of the mother in all of us—the beautiful, creative, inventive spirit that connects everyone.”
It is a way to celebrate the power of being a mum.
Celebrity mums, CEOs, fashion editors, television hosts and every day mums from around the globe all bellied up for the cause including Kate Winslet, Soleil Moon Frye, Molly Sims and Milla Jovovich.
Kate for The Belly Art Project / #KateWinslet #BellyArtProject
A photo posted by Lady Kate (@ladykatewinslet) on
Bright, Bold, Beautiful Bellies
The book features more than 100 pregnant bellies painted into bright, bold and fun objects, from pineapples to piggy banks, from cherries to gum ball machines.
Some include messages of inspiration. Others include abstract symbols. All are designed to support mothers and everything that we do.
A photo posted by Chrissy zogalis (@eviltwinnn) on
However, there is more to the book than just beautiful bellies.
Behind every bright belly is a donation to help a mother in need. All of Belly Art Project’s author proceeds go to Every Mother Counts, a non-for-profit organisation that strives to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere in the world.
A photo posted by Soleil Moonfrye (@moonfrye) on
Uniting Mums, One Tummy at a Time
The Belly Art Project is one of the many movements that strive to create a closeness among women. In recent years motherhood has a tendency to pull women apart, to make us feel shame for our choices, to leave us without confidence and without anyone to turn to. This shouldn’t be the case.
The road to motherhood should be bright, bold and beautiful. It should unite us, not tear us apart. and it should be celebrated.
Join the Social Movement
Although the book is published and available both in store and online, the Belly Art Project movement never stops growing.
Every day women post their pregnancy stories and their photos via the Belly Art Project Instagram Page. Sara encourages all expectant mothers to get involved.
“We hope [this book] inspires you to pick up a paintbrush, adorn a belly and help a mum. We already know mums change the world; this is just one more way.”
Learn more about this incredible movement at Belly Art Project and get involved via their Instagram page.
