Lovingly nicknamed “Roach Girl” after the early pencil sketch gave her neck folds reminiscent of the cockroach alien in Men in Black wearing a poorly fitting human skin. This large-scale watercolour celebrates a joyful, unapologetic portrayal of a fat woman—something I felt was missing from mainstream imagery.

Inspired by artists like Jenny Saville, I wanted to paint a fat woman, but happy, without the typical tropes: no sadness, no tape measures, no “before and after” framing, no performative hiding or posed self-consciousness. Searching for references, I was frustrated by how few images exist of fat women simply existing—joyful, comfortable, confident, and not sexualised for the male gaze or burdened with the expectation to shrink.

When I finally found the reference for this piece—a woman smiling, relaxed, sitting comfortably with her body’s cellulite, folds, and softness proudly visible—I knew I had to paint her. This work celebrates that bold authenticity, blending humour, affection, and feminist intent.