Breaking Beautiful was my first organized effort to advocate for myself and other women. Throughout girlhood, I had received the message that beauty should look a certain way from the media and society. My hair, my body, my skin were all an affront to this standardized definition. As I looked around my college campus, I saw a world of beauty to be celebrated. My intention with this portrait series was to reclaim our power as women to define beauty for ourselves and to give voice to the uniqueness of each individual.

I'm Shay Coope, shop owner of P.S. With Lovee. I am a Licensed Master Social Worker, mother to a beautiful little girl, wife to an amazing husband, and lover of all things colorful! To me, being a woman means being a complete badass! We are strong, nurturing, amazing multitaskers, and true advocates of what we believe in.

I love everything to do with color. My art often embraces raw emotion, transformation, coming into one’s power, and a balance between light and dark. I paint with acrylics and oils and play with alcohol inks. I started painting a year ago as I was struggling to find my identity after becoming a mom. It started as a creative outlet but become a way to find myself again.