A Toronto-based artist is encouraging body positivity by teaching people how to paint their behinds.
Emmy Tran is a self-taught visual artist whose work addresses queer identity, intersectional feminism, and BIPOC representation. They specialize in acrylic paint and often explore the human body by employing vibrant colour combinations.
“It’s hard to put a label on my work as I just create art around bits and pieces of my politics, [but] if I had to define my style, I’d say pop art meets postmodern expressionism,” Tran Told Now Toronto in an email statement.
Tran first picked up a paintbrush in 2021 when their therapist told them to reconnect with their inner child and do creative things that would make them happy.
“At the time it was painting,” they said, “so I got some art supplies, watched countless YouTube painting tutorials and taught myself how to paint.”
Tran said it was one of the most transformative things they’d ever done and that art became a remedy for their body dysmorphia and a powerful medium for self-expression.
Fast forward to 2023 and they came up with the concept for Paint Your Own Booty (PYOB). Tran sketches the bodies of attendees based on photographs they send in advance of the class, guests then paint the pre-drawn canvases under Tran’s instruction.
“I thought If I could learn how to paint from scratch and find so much joy in it, maybe other people could too,” Tran said.
At least once a month Tran and a group of like-minded individuals gather to paint their own bodies. Tran leads the way, teaching participants how to emulate their dynamic and distinctive signature style.
The class usually takes place at the world’s oldest queer bookstore, Glad Day Bookshop, with the occasional pop-up at other venues.
“As an openly queer independent artist, I only go where I feel safe and supported. I’ve had an an ongoing relationship with Glad Day Bookshop since the moment I entered the art space in Toronto and started practicing my craft,” Tran said.
Glad Day has a long-standing reputation for supporting local artists, Tran explained, describing it as “a symbol of inclusion and queer education in the city,” making it the ideal location for an art class catered towards everyone, of all genders, ages, identities and abilities.
Tran hopes people walk away from the class having seen themselves as their own muse.
“Our perception of our own appearance is rarely objective. The reflection you see in the mirror every day is often distorted by your learned shame and by unrealistic beauty standards set by your cultural constructs. When people come to my class, I hope they leave all of that at the door and just admire themselves on the canvas like an artist admires a beautiful piece of art.” Tran told Now Toronto.
They also recalled several encounters with guests that reaffirmed why they set up the class to begin with.
“I remember there was a fellow Southeast Asian person at a class who expressed their struggle with self-acceptance growing up in Asia and seeing unrealistic beauty standards portrayed in the media and reinforced within their family and community,” Tran explained.
This person didn’t feel comfortable in their body, but Tran’s class empowered them to foster a sense of safety in their own skin and to admire their body in art form.
Tran went on to recount multiple interactions with trans attendees who said painting their bodies, or specific parts of their bodies, was a striking and necessary gender-affirming experience.
“Being the author behind their self-portrait helped them reclaim their power,” Tran explained.
To date, Tran is proud to have drawn over 500 bodies of all ages, backgrounds, shapes, sizes, and identities.
“To be able to assist [others] on their personal journey by providing the space and tools, that is the ultimate honour for me,” they concluded.
Tickets for the class are available to purchase here for $100, art supplies and a pre-drawn sketch will be provided.
Advanced artists who want to sketch themselves can opt out of the pre-drawn canvas.
