WYLDE WOMAN | ELEANOR YSABELLE
What was your experience growing up? How has that impacted your own journey in life so far?
I've always been so curious and playful. It started off with being playful with my family and having a father who so graciously provided a space for me to do so. My mother taught me to carry this curiosity with strength. To be confident even when I'm tumbling, and go down laughing. And eventually, get back up. It's impacted the way I navigate through this life, to dive deep into experiences and fully feel them, regardless of the outcome. It's developed into a certainty of transience that I rejoice in.
You are a powerful woman standing up in confidence and sharing authentically, has it always been that way?
It hasn't. When body dysmorphia hit when I was 16, I could barely look at pictures of my new body without feeling a sense of deep guilt and shame. I hid for so long until I discovered art. I felt the creative urge to depict common insecurities we all face using conceptual art, words and imagery. Expressing that brought me to find confidence in expressing myself, my thoughts, and it's evolution. Now, sharing this feels like an Internet journal. So experimental, so freeing.
What have been some of your biggest lessons in accepting your body and facial hair?
The power of perception. That the way each one of us look at life, ourselves and the world is so, SO idiosyncratic. And so, whatever I do, is going to be loved by someone, hated by someone else and everything in between. So I might as well do what I want. And do so wholeheartedly.
How has your truth in standing in yourself helped others?
I think it enables people to be more accepting of themselves. To explore and experience. To take that leap and listen to ourselves closely. And to be compassionate with whatever we come across. To be curious, soft and unafraid. To just be.
What are some of the forces that have pushed you to stand in your power?
Nature, passionate artistry and the will to experiment.
What does the word beautiful mean to you?
Beautiful to me is when the wind blows against the trees. When I smell fresh lavender and lie against the sun. When I listen to myself and relentlessly draw when my heart breaks. It lies in between moments I sing and dance to my hearts content. It's tender, loving, beaming energy. It encourages me to keep going, keep living.
It’s undeniable that the mainstream view of beauty standards is very narrow, what are your thoughts and philosophy on this?
It's slowly expanding. The Internet is a great tool of exposure. To connect with such diverse entities, with different aspirations, different motives. We're way more understanding of our varied expressions, lives and bodies. It is however, our responsibility to choose what we pay attention to, what we critique and what we learn. And to work towards it in a way that benefits our wellbeing and those around us. There's always a lot more and a lot less. I guess we've got to choose what's enough.
What are some of the ways you incorporate stillness into your life and practice ritual and self care?
A cup of tea and deep breaths where I hold myself and dip into the present. Yoga and dance are my movement medicine that I regularly practice. My favourite thing to do is have rituals. I use candles, sage, pebbles and instruments I make out of twigs and shells. It's my own little sanctuary that I succumb to at different times of the month. Creativity in different mediums is the best way to describe all of what I do. I enjoy writing poetry, taking photographs, conceptualising, thinking, learning and being.
Your company The Nude Abstract, aims to explore the natural ways that humans function and to better understand themselves, what inspired you to start this?
The distortion of a binary world. I began observing a black and white map we rigidly follow and shame ourselves when we don't do it 'right' is such an empty way of leading our lives. It works for some who are lucky but the rest of us slowly begin to loathe all that we are. After rambunctiously questioning this, I learned that these rules come with arbitrary reasons. That we don't HAVE to follow it. That we're still valued regardless. That can be unlearned if it doesn't sit right with us. And the best way I found to work towards it is through artistry. To build a community that creates as a form of unlearning. At The Nude Abstract, we call this 'unthinking'. As all of what we do emerges from a thought. And if we work towards unthinking this rigidity, this black and white world, this shame that is so unnecessary, we will begin to be so much happier with ourselves. That contentment, is what I seek to provide with the work we create.
How can we better encourage and inspire women to embrace and be confident in their bodies through the different phases of life and aging?
I think encouraging ourselves to explore different areas of life that we haven't experienced before. To create conversations and expand discussions. To not limit ourselves to blaming a cause and leaving it at that. If it truly troubles you, go deeper. Listen to yourself very, carefully. Your mind, body and spirit is in transience. Adapt to it's ebb and flux. Always, ALWAYS, follow your intuition. Focus on your interests. Whatever that may be. We are here to live our best lives. Hold your hand and go for it.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Possibly a poetry book that I've been creating for years. Creative expansion is always in the works, so perhaps more mediums involved in the way I art.
What is your definition of a WYLDE WOMAN?
A deep, ever-changing, soft soul. Courageous, accepting and ever ready, even though they know that there's never a time they will be completely prepared for what is to come. Still dives in anyway. Laughs all the way through, cries when it hurts. Feels everything in between. Observes, performs, lives. They create, they love, they cherish.
Finish this sentence:
I can’t live without… exploring
I can’t put down… my cup of tea
My go to ritual is… propagating plants
I can’t stop listening to… Abusey Junction by KOKOROKO
My favorite season is… the transition between summer to fall
I will never forget… to laugh at the little symbols and nuances in life that amuse me
Eleanor wears The Mama Earth Kimono in Black
Follow Eleanor here
Shot by
Ethan James Wright