Inspired by some amputee photo shoots, I decided to try my hand at some cyborg-themed pinup sketches with Kim, a sort of celebration of the female form and taking agency over one’s body.
The marvelous thing about people with prostheses is that they get to show their story on the outside, and are afforded an opportunity to take command over their own body in a unique way. Kim is an amputee who is often in a state of discomfort or worse due to her condition (sometimes being wheelchair bound), but at the same time she builds upon what she’s replaced, moving beyond simply replacing limbs and enhancing her mind and body. This would have likely never happened had she not been “disabled” in the first place; the trauma she experienced was horrible, but it opened a door to a new story in her life. She couldn’t control what she was given, but she can control what she does with it.
I like to think that the visibility and evolution of Kim’s prostheses is a way to show how her past scars don’t define or limit her, but instead only offer new opportunities for growth. She’s 60% prosthetic at this point, but she’s no less human, only more.
I want to make love to the abstract concept of brilliant aesthetic composition in these pictures.
I’m legitimately overwhelmed by the positive response these have gotten! This sort of sexy art is a bit outside my comfort zone, so it’s nice to see that it’s resonated with so many people. I think the secret to me doing pinup art is to just focus on composition and character as usual, it seems to do the trick.