Mothers are one of our planet’s greatest resources.
We need to do everything we can to support them.
The Belly Art Project is part book, part movement, and part celebration of the mother in all of us—the beautiful, creative, inventive spirit that connects everyone.
Created by Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx and the Sara Blakely Foundation just before the birth of her first son, this gorgeous, sometimes hilarious exercise in elevating the amazing physicality of the pregnant body with paint, props and trompe l’oeil magic morphed from a family photo opp into a full-blown cause for mothers everywhere via partnership with Every Mother Counts.
More than 100 moms-to-be bellied up to the cause, including celebrities like Kate Winslet (mother of three), and Milla Jovovich (mother of two); business leaders like Zanna Roberts Rassi, fashion editor and TV host, and Stacey Bendet, founder and CEO of Alice and Olivia; as well as everyday women from all over the world.
Creating this book was wild—kind of like motherhood itself. It inspired us immensely to hear the stories of our mom-models and share a day celebrating their baby bumps. But more than anything, we hope it inspires you to pick up a paintbrush, adorn a belly and help a mom. We already know moms change the world; this is just one more way.
100% of The Belly Art Project’s author proceeds benefit Every Mother Counts, which works to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for women everywhere.
Paint your belly and share with @sarablakely and #bellyartproject everywhere! The more bellies we see, the more awareness we get, and the more support will reach moms everywhere.
The Belly Art Project was born three days before I delivered
my first son, when I woke up in the middle of the night with an incrediblecreative urge to turn my big belly into round objects. I couldn’t resist thisglorious (if not temporary) canvas, and I wanted to capture this moment in a
fun and playful way!
The hilarious result inspired me to share this idea to call attention to supporting moms in safe childbirth. I spent the next few years stalking other pregnant women to see who would be up for painting their bellies for a good cause. An amazing bunch of moms-to-be—including actresses like Kate Winslet, models like Anne V., teachers, businesswomen, stay-at-home moms, artists, fashion designers, military moms—came together to support the cause, transforming their bellies into works of art.
The Belly Art Project book includes a complete how-to belly paint section so readers can paint themselves or their friends, and get our custom belly-painting kit to DIY your own piece of belly art. I hope you will join in by giving a book or kit to everyone you know who loves a mom (It also makes a perfect baby shower
present!), and painting a belly to help a mom!
