This piece is about loving your body image, no matter what "flaws" the material world thinks there are.

When coming up with this concept, I first thought of drawing just Sakura, because I needed to work on my own insecurities, and Sakura and I share forehead insecurities. Growing up, I refused to pull my hair back into a ponytail until I was 16 (when my volleyball team coaxed me into it) because I thought my large forehead made me look horrendous. Even still, I would look at the mirror and my eyes instantly pinpoint my forehead. So, yes Sakura haters, it is a real insecurity, as much as you like to bash it.

Then, I decided to draw Hinata and Ino as well, because I've been dying to draw the two of them as of late.

I know what you're thinking: "What? Why did you draw them? They are beautiful! Doesn't that defeat your message?" And it may for some people. However, I chose to draw these girls because they (particularly Sakura and Hinata) receive a LOT of fandom hate, and good amount of the insults thrown at them is about their appearances. Ino's part was harder to do, because most of the trash talk she receives is about her being a "slut."

If we all struggle with our body image, why do we tear down others' images?

In case you can't read the statements on the ribbons:
Sakura:
"My forehead is beautiful"
"My hair is unique but lovely"
"'Small' breasts are sexy too"
"Yes, I do have hips and womanly curves"
Hinata:
"My hair is beautiful"
"My eyes are not weird"
"My breasts should not be objectified"
"I am not fat, nor should weight matter"
"Wearing modest clothing is sexy, not 'frumpy'"
Ino:
"Blondes are not bimbos"
"Wearing a midrift top does not make me a slut"
"I am not anorexic because I diet"

This was done in Prismacolor markers, and it took me FOREVER to finish. This is why I never do backgrounds with markers; it'll take too long.

Sakura, Hinata, Ino (c) Kishimoto Masashi
Textures by