WorkIllustration

Nesting: Theresa Baxter illustrates the self-care rituals of the modern woman

LA-based illustrator and graphic designer Theresa Baxter has created a series of bold and colourful illustrations depicting women’s self-care rituals.

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Illustration of a reclining nude woman with black hair and freckles surrounded by snacks, books, plants and self-care items against a pink star-patterned background

In Nesting, Theresa modernises the traditional narrative of femininity and beauty, balancing established symbols such as flowers, fruit, the ocean and the moon with so-called ‘no-no’s’ and taboos like eating carbs, using sex toys, texting the ex and smoking weed.

"There are so many tools for self-soothing and self-care that are taboo for women, and therefore indulgence is often seen through the lens of shame. We shouldn’t be made to feel ashamed for taking care of ourselves," says Theresa.

“I believe that illustrating women as they are, in their comfort, in their power, in possession of their own sexuality can be a sort of manifestation; a meditation on an honest and attainable archetype. I call on my own experiences and vulnerability to create vignettes that glorify self-care and ritual, but the real kind.”

Discover more via Theresa’s website.

A yellow female figure relaxes on a bed surrounded by self-care items including plants, a black cat silhouette, and various comforting objects in a colourful interior setting
A woman in pink reclining on a green couch surrounded by potted cacti, tropical plants and comfort objects against a split pink and blue background
Pink figure reclining among flowers, food and self-care items with a "HELL NO" sign above, surrounded by plants and decorative objects on a red surface
Figure reclining on turquoise background surrounded by flowers, snacks, cosmetics and self-care items including cannabis and a sex toy, with pink hair and red shoes
Woman in yellow seated at a desk with blue hair adorned with daisies, surrounded by flowers, a laptop reading "Internet Witch", and various self-care items against a rainy blue background
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