No More Shame
by Hazel Holland
Title
No More Shame
Artist
Hazel Holland
Medium
Painting - Watercolor
Description
This was the first time I tried to seriously do a self-portrait. After my friend, Leila, did a photo shoot of me, I was impressed that God wanted me to paint a watercolor of myself being released from shame!
As we were looking at the hundreds of pictures she had taken for the photo shoot, I became aware that I had acted goofy in so many of them in an attempt to cover-up my embarrassment of having the focus of attention on myself. I hammed it up because I was having pictures taken on a bad hair day. I was sure that the angles that were used to take some of the pictures would make me look like I have a double chin. And they did. The close shots at times accentuated the flaws in my skin, hair and body. They were not pretty to see. Many of the pictures were not perfect because I am not perfect.
But more importantly, I found that my friend was trying to give me a "loving perspective" of myself through these photos. She wanted me to be able to see myself with humor, and in light of how God sees me. She succeeded in her task.
God sees me freed from shame. That is why I chose to call this watercolor painting, "No More Shame", because by naming this emotion I am publicly acknowledging that I have power over its destructive patterns in my life in Jesus' name.
Shame in and of itself is a normal human emotion, because it shows us that we are human and have limitations. It tells us that we make mistakes, that we are not perfect, and that we need help. Healthy shame tells us that we are not God.
But when shame as a normal human emotion is transformed into shame as a state of our being, then shame becomes our identity. Now we believe our true self is flawed and defective, resulting in toxic shame that always necessitates a cover-up... a false self that is neither flawed nor defective!
As a result of growing up in a very dysfunctional home, I believed that I was damaged goods from an early age. So I had unknowingly begun the process of trying to cover up the many faces of toxic shame. My worth was measured by what I did or did not do...not by what was inside of me. I believed I was a human doing rather than a human being. Although it has taken many years to free myself of this menacing enemy, I am now learning to reduce toxic shame by transforming it back into healthy shame.
I do this my admitting that I am not perfect, and that I make mistakes. I do this by setting up healthy boundaries that reflect my human need to love others, and be loved by others in healthy ways. Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness that use to be a part of my life are now a thing of the past.
I have hope and assurance of who I am in Jesus Christ. I know He is able to use my God-given authentic true self as a witness of His healing power and transforming love. He has indeed freed me from the toxic shame that use to bind me! Let us celebrate the truth that He has taken away our shame!♥
FEATURED IN FOLLOWING FAA GROUPS:
* BEAUTY
* COMFORTABLE ART
* FAITH IN CHRIST
* INTENSE EMOTIONAL ART
* MEMORIES AND NOSTALGIA
* YOUR BEST WORK
* ARTISTS BEST FIVE ARTWORKS
* FAITH IN CHRIST
PLACEMENT IN FAA CONTESTS:
* Won 1st place tie in FAA contest "Tell the Truth"
* Top Finisher in the "Office Art Decor Things Are Looking Up Contest" 4/24/16
* Top Finisher in "Self-portraits" contest 7/13/16
* Won 1st place in "The Journey to Recovery - Art Heals" contest 10/21/16
* Top Finisher in "Portrait" contest 11/24/16
* Top Finisher in "Meeting Of Self Portraits" contest 1/26/17
* Top Finisher in "ABC Group - H Is For Human" contest 2/19/17
* Top Finisher in "Self Portrait Of The Artist" contest 3/12/18
* Won 3rd place tie in SELF PORTRAIT - ALL MEDIUMS contest 2/9/22
Uploaded
March 28th, 2013
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Viewed 1,749 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/26/2024 at 9:28 PM
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Comments (95)
Gary F Richards
Spectacular No More Shame composition, lighting, shading, excellent colors and artwork! F/L voted
Anne Gifford
I have always enjoyed this remarkable self portrait, Hazel, and now I am returning to vote for it!
Gary F Richards
Outstanding Shameless Joy Intense Expression composition, lighting, shading, color and artwork! F/L voted
Jenny Revitz Soper
CONGRATULATIONS! It is my great pleasure to FEATURE your artwork on the homepage of The Artists Group, 12/13/2022! You are invited to post it in the Group's Features Discussion thread for posterity or any other thread that fits!
Hazel Holland replied:
Jenny, thanks so much for featuring "No More Shame" in The Artists Group. Your support is truly appreciated!
Laurel Adams
Hazel, CONGRATULATIONS! Your work has been featured in the Home Page of The ARTIST BUZzz Group! You are cordially invited to POST image embed links for this distinction to the 🌟GAs -Features Archive -2022 thread in the discussion tab. Thank you for your glimpse of beauty!
Hazel Holland replied:
Laurel, thanks so much for featuring "No More Shame" in The Artists BUZzz. Your support is truly appreciated!
Gary F Richards
Total success! Magnificent No Shame Self Portrait capture, lighting, shading, great color, and artwork! F/L voted
Hazel Holland
Bob, thanks so much for featuring "No More Shame" in the group "Non Photography". Your support is truly appreciated!
Donna Cook
Love this and opening up to this truth! Beautiful, L/F! I have nominated your painting to the Thank You thread of 1000 Views On 1 Image group!
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group ..... Please place your featured image in the Feature Archive and any other appropriate Archives l/f/p
Hazel Holland replied:
Christopher, thanks so much for featuring "No More Shame" in the group "1000 Views". Your support is truly appreciated!
Sarah Irland
Congratulations, Hazel, on your Win in the Self Portrait Contest! Well deserved. Voted.
Michele Avanti
Hazel, Congratulations on your Third Place Tie in the Self Portrait Contest. Your painting is filled with joy and makes me smile too!
Conni Schaftenaar
wonderful portrait, Hazel, and I love the back story! What a good friend! Voted in the Portrait Paintings contest, L/F
Anne Gifford
I've always so liked this self portrait, Hazel, and I am happy to have the opportunity to vote for it now~ like/f/vote
Henryk Gorecki
Fantastic self portrait and very interesting description!Beautiful painting,Hazel!-L/F,v