French Artist Creates Illustrations That Challenge Society’s Standards For Women (32 New Pics)
Interview With ArtistIt's no secret that women in modern society are believed to be in constant need of improvement. It's the result of many factors rooted deeply in our lives. The idea of "looking good" is communicated through slogans such as "because you're worth it," which is not really what self-love is all about.
What women are really worth is to feel good the way they are. With or without makeup, skinny or curvy, shaven or hairy, etc. That's what Cécile Dormeau, an artist based in France, tries to tell us. With her colorful illustrations, she confronts restraining stereotypes and inspires many women around the world to love themselves just as they are.
The artist has previously shared with Bored Panda that she likes to show that it's completely normal to not feel great all the time or to have body 'imperfections'. "We all face problems, and sometimes our lives don't fit what society expects from us. There is not only one way to be or live your life. I like to celebrate imperfection and try to be as authentic as I can."
More info: Instagram | ceciledormeau.com | youtube.com
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I repeatedly see people answer questions on Reddit like, "What odd thing turns you on" or "Whats your favorite feature on someone" etc, and a LOT of people say a big nose. So many people to the point that I am now self conscious of my average sized nose lol. So anyone with a nose like this, please "knows" *wink wink* that soooo many people are attracted to that. It's only the TV and magazines that that don't celebrate it. Real people in real life love your nose and so should you.
Bored Panda got in touch with the artist again to get to know a little bit more about her creative process and the thoughts behind her illustrations. Since Cecile's drawings are about celebrating "imperfections" and authenticity, we got curious whether she noticed some sort of change in the way our society perceives women. The artist answered that people on social media started to speak more and more about these topics, so media and advertising finally realized that some things needed to be changed.
"Of course, everything is not perfect as these topics became marketing tools, and can sound a bit empty or hypocritical sometimes. For example, a clothes brand speaking about inclusivity but not including all sizes in their clothing. Or the popularity of self-love sometimes became a bit oppressive and made some women feel guilty about themselves too. I guess it's all about balance, and noticing that self-worth isn't necessarily buying yourself a mask and candles but listening really to yourself and letting yourself live in peace."
Just some states. States like New York and California will always be pro choice
Load More Replies...Change the hair, that's my body and I love it. It's carried me 66 years through so much and I'm here.
I absolutely love your comment 💖. I'm still hoping that one day I'll have that kind of confidence. I love myself on the inside but I've always struggled to love the outside. Please keep being your amazing self because the world needs more inspirational people like you 🫂💞
Load More Replies...Bored Panda STOP Censoring!!!!! NOBODY CARES! also it ruins the stinking photos/ comics 😭
I'm all for body positivity, But normalizing obesity seems problematic as well, since being overweight can have serious health repercussions
The problem is that not every person who appears obese is that way due to whatever negative trope people come up with. I for one have Lipedema which is a fat disorder which is unfortunately out of my control which sucks a whole lot. Would you know that from looking at me? Maybe not but the point is that we don't always know someone's situation. A lot of obesity stems from mental health issues and unfortunately the animosity society has for these people just perpetuates this condition. All I am trying to say is that it's important to have compassion. Literally no fat person will ever lose weight (permanently) as a result of others making them feel shitty.
Load More Replies...I hate, after losing weight and looking good I'm told, "now you just need to get firm." Never good enough. Always something to be improved upon.
I agree completely. I struggled for MANY MANY years to lose weight due to PCOS and thyroid issues(eventually had right side of thyroid removed even though I didn't want to which caused more weight gain). Finally over the last year or so my body decided to be nice lol and I was able to lose quite a bit(I've lost about 100lbs total in 2years) and now everyone keeps saying omg you are skin and bones(I am most definitely not. According to a bmi chart I'm still classified overweight) or they say that I need to stop losing weight (I'm not even trying to lose,it just keeps happening). I was criticized and made fun of when I was obese and now I'm criticized and made fun of for being almost to the right weight for my height. People really need to stop body shaming. It costs absolutely nothing to be kind.
Load More Replies...I'm all for body positivity, to accept yourself and your body. But don't normalize accepting obesity, it's not ok, healthy, or all right.
Someone simply existing in a fat body is not "promoting" anything. Are you "promoting" a certain hair colour simply by having it? Is a person "promoting" tattoos just because they have them? And heaven forbit a fat person exist AND be happy at the same time!!! People be big mad!!
Load More Replies...Do you think all obese people want to be obese?? There is a lot of stereotypes to hand out.. Let's say for a moment that being overweight was the new hot trend...If you are overweight you still would not want to be a part of that trend. For some people it just boils down to genetics and not solely on their food choices.
I'm all for accepting yourself and your body, but don't act like it's healthy to be like this. Don't normal obesity and say it's great because it's not. Ask literally any doctor and not a single one would tell you to stay obese.
Its not being overweight thats the issue, its the reason you're overweight. Being muscular literally counts as being overweight. Genetics play a huge factor in your metabolism as well. Its not *always* unhealthy. Its not hard to understand either :/
Load More Replies...Cécile revealed that she also feels the pressure to be perfect. "I guess we all feel it from time to time, and on very different topics (physically, professionally, with your relationships, etc), it's human! And it's also the world we live in. But what helps me is to know that these bad thoughts are just temporary if I focus on what is really important. For example, if I start to feel bad because my waxing is not perfect to go to the beach, I realize that enjoying taking a swim matters much more to me than caring if people are checking my leg hair."
I hate these quotes that are like Nothing is Impossible it makes me feel worse
You can focus on the positive and still be depressed. This mindset turns into victim blaming, and makes the depressed person feel worse because you're not trying hard enough, or I have a good life so what do I have to be sad about. Sometimes depression happens because your brain isn't sending or recording certain chemicals correctly. It's okay to get help or medicine. It's no different than a diabetic taking insulin because his body doesn't produce it correctly.
Thank you for these. I went out dancing for my birthday ( I'm in my 40's ) my friend told me that I was " out of control". Apparently when you get older you are an embarrassment if you dance and have fun. I'm at home with my parakeet now. What she said made me feel horrible.
Listen, some day you will be too tired, too achy, or just too old to dance. But you aren't now. I say dance every damn opportunity you get, and enjoy every second. Don't let someone else's misguided judgment keep you from doing things you enjoy, because that is actually something you may regret some day. But you won't regret the dancing. ☺️
Load More Replies...Yeah, like my ex who tried to push his positivity on me when my depression was at its worse. "If you think positive, positive things come to you". Fk that with a passion.
He was partially right, but were you getting treatment as well? It's attitude, and treatment in combination and it takes time to figure out the right combination. But attitude is a big part of it. You really have to force yourself. I'm a former medical and mental health professional and then I suffered a breakdown and it was really hard even though I knew how to treat it, being able to actually do it was something different entirely! I hit rock bottom before I saw any light. I really had to push myself because I didn't see hope. But it's there!
Load More Replies...Even when surrounded with positivity, these feelings creep in for sure!
Can I just-*grabs flamethrower** ***burns signs**** dats better *****hugs******🥰
Fr tho... positive vibes doesn't work on me... I need negative vibes... I need to hit my lowest core to become a diamond... when I see positive vibes, I feels like I want to be more worst than before. 🤷♀️ idk why...
Some days, you just have to let the pain of life run down your face like rain so that the next day can be sunny. I really felt this one deep.
Food stains get painted in. I have lots of t-shirts designed by Jackson Pollock.
If you're bleeding from your b******e you better see a doctor. Because you drew that spot way too high up.
I'm glad someone else said something -- was sitting here like "I think I understand the message here, but.... also maybe not?"😅
Load More Replies..."When I torture myself because I think my illustrations are not good enough and I'm not posting enough on Instagram, I remind myself that the most important is that I draw, and it doesn't matter if it looks like crap sometimes and that it's totally ok to take breaks.
Perfect people are boring, and we are most of the time more moved by authentic people, so I guess we should apply this to ourselves too. Simply accept what we are at this moment in our imperfections, and remember that it's totally ok to make mistakes and to move at our own rhythm."
My Junior year HS Math teacher said "Diarrhea is the unquestionably ailment " most important thing I ever learned in school.
Load More Replies...Don't lie, just call-up and tell them that after considering it, you no longer believe their service fits your lifestyle.
I stopped lying... I'm just honest now and enjoy the time I can go out...
Exactly! Friends that care about you will understand. Being "a flake" isn't as bad as being a liar.
Load More Replies..."honey, I don't feel up to it and I need to take a mental health day/evening."
Don't lie, be honest and just say no, I'm not going, I don't feel like it. That's all you need to say.
If you're brave enough, go with "diarrhea." No one wants more details about the Big D...
Or just do what I do. Tell them the truth. Why are people afraid to just say you need to cancel because you’re too tired to fallow through! “I’m not up to it today man, I’m just gonna stay in and chill” those who matter won’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter !
My sister was a skeleton until puberty and I wasn't so my dad decided I was fat. The entire family acted like I was obese. Later when my daughter was a teenager and the exact same size as I was, I asked my sisters if they thought she was fat and they acted like I was crazy. Of course she's not fat. But when I was that size, I heard my sister apologizing to her friends before introducing me because I was fat. She said it's forgivable though because I'm funny.
Sounds like your family was a bunch of narcissists. I'm sorry you went through that.
Load More Replies...I don't apologize for existing at all. I don't apologize for being born a female and remaining true to my birth gender. I don't apologize for choosing to remain a Virgin until marriage. I don't apologize for giving my children life and being a mother. I refuse to feel shamed or inferior for any of those choices no matter how much the current sexually addictive culture tries to socially shame and bully me for it. The strength of a mother rises above all and makes her soul into a mountain.
Sorry.. I can't stand that.. I always try to pep them up, so they don't feel it necessary..round me atleast
I only recently realized how much I apologize for silly, trivial things on a daily basis, even if nothing is my fault, just to keep people happy. Every other girl I know does this too. Have I ever seen a boy do this, even for things that are actually their fault and do actually cause problems? No. Guys aren't taught to constantly apologize like girls are.
Trans guys lol. It kind of sucks. You notice a huge different post-transition- even just post SOCIAL transition- in how society views you. Its crazy dude.
Load More Replies...We asked what makes Cécile passionate about creating illustrations. She replied that she is just happy to put all the crazy ideas she has in mind in her doodles, and try to put some fun in her insecurities! "The main message I have for people is 'you're not alone'. I just hope my work can make them smile about themselves."
Just be yourself and don't give a rat's a**e about what other people say. It's just so wrong the wy we women are acculturated to internalise so much self criticism.
The problem is that people ignore older women and don't take them seriously. Doctors actually have terms for older women to write in their medical records.
Load More Replies...Being an older woman. It's like I don't exist anymore. I've been put in a box.
I have earned every wrinkle and white hair I have and I'm just lucky to be alive! No shame in growing old! I'm wise.
Ikr. They have such interesting stories to tell and are typically very wise. When I was about 9 or 10 I finally introduced myself to my dad's elderly neighbor(I always waved and said hi before but that was it). That introduction was one of my best decisions because she was a sweet lady with a ton of interesting and amazing life stories to tell. Nobody ever wanted to listen to her tell her stories before. After that every other weekend when I would go to my dad's(until she sadly went to a nursing home when I was about 15 or 16) I would go over to her house 1st thing in the morning and sit on her porch all day listening to her and talking to her. All of the other kids thought I was weird because I'd rather sit with her than go play with them. I'm almost 40 now and those are still some of my best childhood memories. Every time an elderly person passes away we lose an entire library.
Load More Replies...Lol age is a number, time is a human construct, societies are made up beliefs. I've forgotten my own age before. Just go with the flow.
I love the idea of having wrinkles — when I get mine it'll mean I have all the wisdom my life has provided me with.
Changing the tapes in my head wasn't easy, but these illustrations are showing how it's done. In the one above where she's sad but surrounded by affirmations, she's reprogramming her mind. It takes time and repetition. But, in time, it definitely works.
At the moment, Cécile is working on a children's book and an illustration series about couples. She shared that she might start illustration series about men as well so if you're curious, follow Cécile on her Instagram!
Cécile's works have been previously featured on Bored Panda and you can find them by clicking here, here and here.
Amethyst is also the stone of recovery💜 7 years sober on 07/04🇺🇲
Load More Replies...Oh wow here I was eating a healthy diet, exercising, improving my social circle, seeing a therapist, creating better work-life balance, quitting substances, treating my physical ailments, scheduling in time for self-care, meditating, taking clinically tested medications, and finding solutions for stressors in my life, when all I had to do was wear a purple rock.
Oh yeah, you can totally ditch all that other stuff. Just get a rock. /s 😂
Load More Replies...Lmao I love rocks and crystals. This would not solve any of my problems but I would still enjoy it.
Me too, K W! I love collecting minerals and rocks, but I'm not holding my breath, waiting for them to raise my consciousness or ease my knee pain. 😂. But I do like looking at them!
Load More Replies...Anything can be your anxiety relief, as long as you believe hard enough
I wish it was that simple to cure my anxiety. I wouldn't have had a severe panic attack in walmart today
Yup, I created a dark cave for myself. It's gotten to the point where I only sleep for about 2 hours at a time. I'm exhausted all day.
That's why I like being a mom, I'm far to busy being distracted by my children to feel overly depressed...anxiety on the other hand goes hand in hand with motherhood, you kinda get used to it after awhile, and cease to feel ashamed of having it.
Yes, but you're making YOURSELF that. Not for 3 other mouths that will get angry about something "wrong" with it after the first bite.
Self care! Eat what you want. Personally I’d slather Nutella in there too.
Load More Replies...With tomato and cucumber sliced the long way sprinkled with salt and pepper and a dash of paprika
Cream cheese toast sounds disgusting, but I love cream cheese bagel, and now I'm questioning everything about the nature of reality.
My friends all have the smoothest arms, and I just sit there with these hairy babies. 😪
I am a girl with a lot of arm hair due to me being mexican (mexicans have a LOT of hair) and im still young. But here's the thing my arms are brown my face is white and my hair is dark brown. The first you notice when you shake my hand is my mustache and arm hair but every morning when i see my arm hair unbrushed i brush it with my hand to make it looks decent since its soft hehe 😈
My arms look hairless in a lot of different light sources, you have look really close and have me hold my arm at an angle to see them. They're extremely light blonde, almost borderline white. I was born blonde, but only the hair on top of my head changed.
Same here! I'm a strawberry blonde (redhead) so my eyebrows, top lip little fuzzies, legs hair, and arm hair is super hard to see! 😘
Load More Replies...I thought this was "dry brushing" But comment section leads me to believe otherwise. 🤔
I've never actually seen anyone with arm hair that long...buts it's a comic so yeah.
I didn't shave my legs when I went to the pool the other day. Guess what...no one cared nor noticed! Sometimes it can be all in your head- you are your own worst enemy.
And if they notice AND comment, it says more about them than anything else
Load More Replies...Everyone has a right to be comfortable, whatever that means. I used to put SO much pressure on myself to "Not care what people think" but I do, and trying to force myself not to was stressful and exhausting. If you feel great with your legs au natural, go for it! If you're like me and find you just can't enjoy yourself because you're worrying about it, there's nothing wrong or anti-feminist about shaving. It's about being comfortable, free, and fully yourself, whatever shaven or unshaven form that takes.
My problem is why do people get a a*s hurt when I guy shaves his legs, I get so many odd looks when I shave my legs, and some idiot told me "gay pride" as if they assume I'm gay because I shave my legs. Just to let you know I'm straighter than lil pump's hair. I agree nobody should judge you tho.
Its because people stereotype gay people. If you act different, you must be gay. If you are gay and dont act that way, straight people dont believe you.
Load More Replies...i dont shave my thighs and no one has ever cared so im fine with it
I shave my legs because the leg hair is itchy, and I hate itchy legs.
I have an autoimmune disorder. When it flares up it causes my hair to fall out, including patches of eyebrows and lashes, even in pit and pubic zones, and no hair grows on my legs... so when I see that I DO have hair on my legs or elsewhere, I get happy; it means my body is working the way it should...
I shaved my legs the other day, first time in 8 months. The only reason I did? I couldn't take the insect feeler-y sensation tickling my ankles every time I walked and the wind whipped through the hairs. 🤣 Otherwise, I couldn't give a frog's fart as to what my legs look like.
Have always found my bra as an useful extra pocket - especially when women's clothes don't have enough pockets! Looking at YOU, designers!
Yes! Give us pockets already, we don't all want to put our stuff in a purse!
Load More Replies...I tuck my daily injection in my bra, warms it up nicely, no danger of breaking the needle by sitting on it, I feel sorry for men and their lack of handy bra spaces!
I do this too! Our clothes often don't have pockets so I improvise! But I don't keep money in my bra as it's pretty gross if a cashier if you hand them money that's got boob sweat on it! Also not polite to go fishing in your bra to find something when in public.
I use to be embarrassed when my mom would pull things out her bra...now I'm my mom.
I complain about it all the time! As a member of the IBTC, i do not have the storage up top for all my stuff to fit and women's clothing DO NOT have enough POCKETS! WHY is it so hard to get real pockets in my clothes??
It's impossible for me to do so. My own mother told me that I had to justify my existence. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to tell her that she should justify having me first.
I can't help but wonder, did she ever say what her justification of her own existence was? Either way, what a horrible thing to say to your kid :(
Load More Replies...This is a much better affirmation than "I can do anything!" and "be happy!" And sh!t.
Amen. The constant pressure to "be happy" needs to stop. It's just another form of trying to make ourselves something we're not to conform to an expectation. Sometimes we're sad or angry or insecure and we shouldn't let anyone make us feel like we need to ignore and suppress it.
Load More Replies...As stated in a similar post I don't apologize for existing, being a female, and being a mother, such a thing is not in my nature, and none if those things are things any of us to be ashamed of.
It happens!! Shaving the bottom of your foot though??
It's not the bottom. the angle is hard to tell
Load More Replies...I genuinely didn't know how common the hairy big toe was until I saw comics about it. I really thought I was part of a select few.
Every woman I know has the hairy big toe. Every single one.
Load More Replies...A lot of women prefer to be smooth. So,that's why they bother.
Load More Replies...I am strangely very freaked out at the similarities I have with all of these.
If anyone wants a tip to shave the back of their ankle, point your foot upward. It flattens out the back of the ankle
Bro I wish, then I’d be f*****g Albert einstein
Load More Replies...Call me a hobbit, but I'm not shaving my big toe. I'm Irish and built for North Atlantic winters. I live in the South, but my hobbit toes remind me of who I am.
Only if the other arm reads "best" sorry I'll see myself out...
Load More Replies...If nothing is never going on in her life, shouldn’t she be constantly busy?
all my friends always tell me this, and that's my response. so, uh, yup.
They are a lesbian couple not a mom and daughter
Load More Replies...My aroace friend lets me rant about this and she just laughs at me lmao
Load More Replies...I HATE that! Was sooo bad at school! And one kid says! Ha! 'Ur all red!' And the whole class sees you naked af
I control that. But I think it goes the other way and I blanch. No one has ever pointed out I'm blushing, so
I turn into a whole apple in the face. Sometimes for no reason at all.
I WISH all that happened was a bad blush. I get something that feels suspiciously like heartburn.
I'm both a book worm and someone who likes writing stories, ask me to visualize clouds and I will be lost in whatever story the inspire for a long long time.
She gotta stop that..it's not helpful.. trick is to not care , let them come and go..just watch..soon be clear
seriously? Have you no understanding of mental illnesses, PTSD and other disorders? There'd be no need for meds or therapy if that was true.
Load More Replies...Hey, Kind Pegasus 95, go get some help. Or like stop trying to be edgy or whatever. Not appreciated
Load More Replies...I hate that when you're a bigger woman, people think that means you're really strong. Like my height and bone structure doesn't mean I have the strength of men even though I may be strong for a woman.
People seem to assume I'm weak for some reason. I'm tall and big and pretty strong lady. My husband has natural advantage with upper body muscles but I beat him at leg press anytime, since he's thinner and not that much taller. I carry more weight with me at all times so it's natural, plus I work out. Really it depends who you compare yourself to. I'm weaker than my tall brother who does manual labour (I don't), but way stronger than some short and thin nerd boy. So not weaker than any man ever.
Load More Replies...I could never lift my husband, he is twice my size, though I do buy him special treats and hide them under his pillow or by his work stuff.
Uh i think this was supposed to point out the lack of romance and affection men get in a relationship
Load More Replies...I'm always on my period on every single vacation I've ever taken.
Load More Replies...Is the pink thing with sunglasses a child or her woman parts bleeding? So confused lol
It is the person's reproductive parts. Supposed to be showing that they're on their period.
Load More Replies...Always seems to happen on vacation especially when at a hotel with really nice pool.
my honeymoon. LOL. we ate and slept and watched the storms on the beach and read to each other. It was pretty good after all.
Every time we go on vacation, without fail it hits my wife a day into the vacation
And this is why I'm glad I learned about reddit.com/r/childfree where you can find clinics anywhere in the world that will sterilize you, if you want that.
Not every woman can be sterilized though, at least not without it interfering with other meds, ie - antidepressants
Load More Replies...Is it actually possible to grow out your pit hair, or does it stop by itself?
People forget hair is natural and meant to PROTECT your body. It isnt gross.
I can't shave my underarms for medical/dermatology reasons, I never thought of maybe dying the hair blonde so it's less noticable. I'm glad I saw this.
My armpits are the only things I religiously shave, otherwise my deodorant stops working faster. I've always wondered, is that true for guys (the hair affecting deodorant/antiperspirant effectiveness) and, if so, why don't more of them shave? Totes double standard there, I'd say!
Looks like the cry juice (I hate the other word, sorry) is cutting through the boot
In my family we never had a kids' table. We were always included 🥰 Also, we didn't have space for kids to have their own tables. #apartmentliving
Toddlers sometimes have potty mouths like senior citizens. So I rather stay at the kids' table. Less judgment.
Get him a bright red one of these and some bright red Crocs
Load More Replies...Fun fact, some professionals do have a piece of clothing that is just sleeves. Like a pencil sleeve for artists, or the heat resistant sleeve worn by servers. You can also get sleeves to put on your arms if you need to hide, protect, or warm them while wearing a sleeveless shirt.
Well I guess the sleeves would help in keeping your arms warm without making the rest of you hot.
F**k it no air I can go 1:30 without air
Load More Replies...Welcome to menopause, Ladies. No matter how healthy you live, it'll run you down eventually.
I find chocolate a more effective way of putting a leash on my temper, or listening to music while I silently rant to myself, either choice is for me cathartic.
Oxygen keeps the flame lives and can cause it to grow. Also- fresh air is for dead people
no she bleeding out of her vagina and probably currently wants to rip her uterus out :)
Load More Replies...Yup always on vacation...unless your preggo, that comes with different challenges.
3 years in a row for me! Year one out was early, year 2 it was running late, year 3 a week and a half early. Wtf!
Load More Replies...She wasn't expecting to pack her period with her on vacation, but here it is anyway.
Bummer when you have to take your period with you whilst going on a beach vacay...
My period would show up for every vacation, event, etc. Planned my wedding around it and she still showed up...she didn't want to miss out!!
High waisted jeans are the love of my top-tall, LOOONNGG hipped, short-legged life.
I'm a tall lean dude.. so woman's pants fit me perfect..men's pants are like clown pants on me
it means she loves herself. those are her knees and she's hugging them meaning she loves herself
Load More Replies...Nice for a while..be careful though..and do it alone please.. unless you WANT my help
Everyone has that experience with Ikea. At least she found her way out of the store.
Not everyone. I love assembling IKEA stuff. For me it's a 3D puzzle to solve.
Load More Replies...Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave
Load More Replies...Eh neither projects nor life ever goes as planned, you gotta learn to roll with it and adapt.
why do you care? your a guy this doesnt have to do with you LMAO
Load More Replies...why do you care? your a guy this doesnt have to do with you LMAO
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