Beautiful Girl of the Week is a series of Beautiful Girls who are stand outs for what they contribute to the world through their beautiful actions! We feature the Beautiful Girl of the Week on the Rewrite Beautiful blog as an attempt to inspire other girls and women to use their own gifts and talents to impact their communities. Our hope is that bringing positive attention to women’s actions will inspire them to embrace their own creative calling!
A few of my friends joke that the character Jess, played by Zooey Deschanel from the show New Girl, resembles some major, quirky, blurty Irvinaisms. I squirm and shake my head at the often awkward truth I see on screen. Now, Annie is the complete opposite of Zooey Deschanel awkwardness; Annie is just so cool. We’re talking the legit cool of oblivious, “Huh? I’m cool?” Homegirl isn’t even aware that her relaxed style, poignant thoughts and laid back suggestions bring a fresh, calm yet exciting energy to every room and gallery she and her art enters. Making it no wonder that we featured her as an artist TELEIOS last summer. This summer she has been accepted to the Summer Painting Intensive and Temple University! If Check out my interview with beautiful Annie below!
Irvina: Annnnnnnnnnnnnnie! What’s up amazing artist, cool girl extraordinaire! Thanks for talking to me today! Tell our beautiful peeps about a fun project you’re currently working on?
Annie: I am excited to announce that I have been accepted to Tyler School of Art's Summer Painting Intensive at Temple University in Philadelphia. The Summer Painting Intensive (SPI) is a seven-week fully immersive studio residency that will offer me the experience to develop my work and studio practice, the chance to work with acclaimed visiting artists, and to produce a new and exciting body of work!
The work that I will create while in residency at SPI will be a development of my current series of work, which deals with the body, disfigurement, and women’s rights, and consists of large drawings and paintings on transparent materials. I plan to create a series of work that expands the current work into painting as installations.
Irvina: Jeez, what a subject to be creating on! You’ll be telling a big story through your art! Congratulations you’re going to spread a big message, I can feel it! So Annie, what are you passionate about?
Annie: I am passionate about (in no particular order): art, painting, women's rights and activism, poetry, yoga, baking, dogs, coffee, friendships, my family, learning, and helping others.
Irvina: I LOVE your passions! Double hi-five! Not easy to find a cookie baking, dog loving, yoga girl! What do you do for fun?
Annie: Beyond work (my work is super fun... Portola Coffee Lab) and studio practice (painting), I practice yoga, spend time with my friends, visit galleries and museums, bake goodies, and participate in a group once a month that centers around women's empowerment.
Irvina: Rad group! Let’s get more of those going! So whether it’s a hobby, a job or friendships what do you contribute to the world that you’re most proud of?
Annie: I am most proud of the artwork that I produce and the voice that I have as an artist. Very briefly let me explain my work and my connection to it: I suffered a burn to 18% of my body over six years ago. My paintings use my experience being burned as a way to talk about female Afghan victims of self-immolation. My work has become a forum for me to discuss women's rights, a way for me to heal as an individual, and a place for me to ask critical questions about our country's position in global politics. I believe that the body of work that I will work on at the Summer Painting Intensive will provide me with the resources and lack of distractions to fully invest myself in my work.
Irvina: I love how you took what must have been a traumatic experience and used it as an opportunity to relate to others on a deeper level. Not just anyone either, people incredibly different from yourself. That is quite beautiful. Annie, tell us the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Annie: Hmmm... you really want to know???? I don't even know where to begin or how to qualify that. Crazy bad or crazy fun :) I have done some crazy bad things that I walked through and have come out a stronger person, and thankfully I gained perspective from experiencing all of that. Crazy fun?? You know, ever since I stopped doing all of the crazy bad stuff my life has become much more level. That sounds pretty boring but I enjoy the stability and peace.
Irvina: Well said. I’m a big fan of stability and peace too. It’s way underrated. So, which action of CREATIVITY, KINDNESS and STRENGTH do you think you most exhibit in your community and WHY?
Annie: In my community I believe I most exhibit KINDNESS. I felt compelled to say creativity, as I am a creative person, but I feel as though I value service to others in my community beyond creativity. I value honesty and being connected to others. I take ACTION to become more kind and compassionate towards my community, whereas I feel more intrinsically creative.
Irvina: I like that statement! Gives me a lot to ponder! Who is the most beautiful woman you know and why?
Annie: These are hard questions Irvina! The first person to come to mind is my Grandma. Her name was Rita and she passed away when I was 17 and in the depths of the "crazy bad". She had these amazingly clear, kind blue eyes and blonde hair. She always had on some bright shade of lipstick and had a radiant smile. Her physical beauty was a symptom of her loving spirit. She just oozed love and compassion. She taught my mom (the next most beautiful women) how to raise a family, and how to truly convey unconditional love. That is pretty freaking gorgeous!
Irvina: Agreed! And what do you wish young women knew about beauty?
Annie: I wish they knew that high school is not a permanent state. I know that they may "know" that, but if only they could fast forward and experience coming into their own and experiencing their passion- suddenly being a size 00 is not AS important. I wish they knew that curves are totally sexy and that men actually love that. If they suffer from an eating disorder, I wish they knew that...... it is not about the food or their body.
If you have been inspired by Annie and would like to support her painting studies at Temple University please feel free to donate to her Kickstarter Campaign HERE!
So what inspired you about Annie? What’s your take away?
Speak your mind in the comment section below!
The first time I laid eyes on Jamie I knew I was going to love her. Jamie has this gorgeous smile that is a cross between a daisy picking, tambourine shaking hippie girl and a wise and gentle Fairy God Mother. We met at a 
Jamie: I am crazy about reading. I mean, I really believe that if everyone would just turn off their TVs and computers and open a book, we could make some major changes in the world. Reading sparks your imagination, it takes you to new places, it introduces you to interesting people--it's all about expansion. I've been hosting a book club for a few years now. It's a girls-only monthly event, and it has been such a beautiful experience! We meet in the evening, and start out gathered around this one story we've all read, but the conversation gradually unfolds into an intimate dialogue about everything else--ourselves, our loved ones, our lost ones. Life. Stories bring us together and make us feel less alienated and solitary. So, yeah, I guess I'd say I'm passionate about reading.
Irvina: As one of your Book Club members I can say your passion for reading has created so many beautiful conversations and friendships! I love our Book Club, The Gypsy Snipers because we get the opportunity to hear so may perspectives on the same topic. Being open to hearing another persons point of view makes the world so much larger and exciting! Jamie, tell everyone what do you do for fun? 
Jamie: I like to MOVE! I love to dance, ride my bike, or take a walk outside. If I can do any of those with people I love, even better!
Irvina: LOVE it! Who is the most beautiful woman you know and why? 
) Half of them want to start their own business, non-profit, magazine, writing career and want some advice from none other than Cest Moi! I’m flattered. But, often times I have found myself answering the same questions over and over again, so cue Lightbulb Moment!
I decided to start a blog series called, 
Lindsey AKA “MY LGF” is my star-crossed sister from a different mister! We met in Orange County, CA when I was at the beginning of my eating disorder recovery. Regardless of my sanity, Lindsey has been my best friend in my great moments (starting Rewrite Beautiful) and worst moments (breaking and entering). She’s one of those friends who just gets me. When I tell her my crazy thoughts she doesn’t squint her face in confusion, she nods and says, “Oh I’ve been there.” And when I asked her to help me host the 
Irvina: I am gushing with pride! I am so proud of you lady! Getting into Grad School is not easy! I remember the Saturdays we spent in Starbucks, you working on your Grad School essays, applications, rec letters and me working on all things Rewrite Beautiful. Amazing to look at us now, hard work and faith really does pay off! Who knew?! So tell us, what are you passionate about? 
Lindsey: "Crazy" is a rather subjective word... And in the last 28 years I'm sure I've done many things considered "crazy," but to just pick one to share... hmmm. I've been skydiving, twice in one day. I've been to Uganda, 3 times in 2.5 years. Most recently though... after nearly 28 years of living on the left coast, I packed up & moved to the right coast - with only 8 boxes and 3 suitcases - knowing not a single soul in the city.
Irvina: As someone who knows you, I can vouch that you are one of the strongest women I have ever met! And I know a whole lot of women! So being a strong chick, who is the most beautiful woman you know and why? 
How do I know so many talented, creative, brave, beautiful girls? Like must attract like ;) Haha! Well Kelsey pretty much just showed up on my door step! She's an old roommate of mine who was always baking up something good for her lady friends! These days Kelsey is getting ready to bake for quite a few more and it might be you! Check out the woman behind the scrumptidy yumptious 
Kelsey: God. Family. Friends. Creativity. I believe that God is behind every passion that stirs up in my heart. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the path He has provided me, the free will He has given me, and the friends and family he has surrounded me with as a support system. I think imagination and creativity are things that should be carried on way past childhood, but somehow we get lost in the hustle and bustle of adulthood. I have always had a huge passion to maintain that childlike imagination and encourage others to do the same.
Kelsey: At the moment, I bake every day in school, and that is fun! Aside from that, I like to travel to new places, play tennis, hike, and journal. I love to write as it allows me to get my thoughts out. One of my favorite things to do it actually to look back at my writings from years at a time to see how much change has taken place in my life.
Kelsey: I am most proud of my decision to start catering while I was still working. Although I was just baking, I feel like I was able to contribute to memories that many people will have for a lifetime. A goal I have in catering events is to adapt to the theme and make eating desserts more of a full experience versus just having a sweet treat. I had the opportunity to cater weddings, baby showers, corporate events, etc., and I always made sure that the desserts not only tasted how they were expected to, but that they added a visual memory of every event I catered. I look forward to enhancing this goal as I move forward with my business.
Kelsey: The most beautiful woman I know is my Mom, LeAnn Richards. She is the strongest woman I know; full of passion in everything she does, and could be the definition of integrity. My parents own a business with hundreds of employees, but my Mom’s passion is “growing people”. She touches every life she comes into contact with, and she has always been the voice in my head telling me to follow my dreams no matter what the world says or tries to do to stop me. She doesn’t care how hard a situation may be, she will always be honest to herself and others. I go to her on advice for all aspects of my life whether it is my business, my dreams, my relationships - I don't know what I'd do without her!
powerful, and I believe every woman has dreams in her heart. We are meant to follow those dreams and to pursue what we are passionate about. One question my Mom always asks me is, “why not?” Why not go after your dreams? Why not live every day to the max, full of passion, and doing what you love? Beauty shines through when you allow yourself to be the woman God called you to be, the woman who follows those dreams she has had since a child and the woman that you really are.
Once upon a time, 2 ½ years ago I traveled to Southern India with a bunch of Jesus People from 
Stephanie: Along with Wendy Dailey, I co-founded International Sanctuary, a US based non-profit that advocates for the oppressed people of the world, educates communities about human trafficking and equips survivors with the skills to be integrated as valued members of their communities. I am proud to be apart of iSanctuary and serve along side some of the most fascinating and dedicated people in the world! Right now we are in the middle of launching iSanctuary's India Jewelry line: Strength & Beauty into the Indian market. This is a huge undertaking as we have to build new branding, contacts and customer base. It also has the potential to create an even greater level of self-sufficiency that will directly benefit the iSanctuary artisans in India. At the same time we are trying to streamline production so that we can be more efficient with our manufacturing, packaging, and shipping of our purposeful jewelry.
Irvina: So true! I love how you have made that passion apart of your entrepreneurial adventure with iSanctuary. It’s seriously INSPIRING! So, what do you do for fun?
Irvina: Love it! Who is the most beautiful woman you know and why?
Irvina: She sounds incredibly beautiful! What do you wish young women knew about beauty?
