Pregnant Belly Painting Is Now Apparently A Trend

Mariah's butterfly belly (via @MariahCarey)

There have been some pretty awful trends for ladies over the years—jeggings, anyone?—but this one just might take the cake: say hello to pregnant belly painting.

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like—pregnant women are shelling out their unborn's tuition in order to have custom works of art painted upon their enlarged midsections. They even photograph the results, calling it "a beautiful way to preserve the moment." Apparently, women across the city have been inspired by Mariah Carey, whoTweeted a picture of her (naturally) butterfly-adorned belly during her pregnancy this spring. Now, New York-based artists like RoByn Thompson (check out her site, pregantbellypainting.com, for a real feast for the eyes) and Derrick Little are racking up the customers looking to go beyond the Demi-style naked portrait. "The belly is the perfect surface," explains Thompson. "It's nice and round."

The sessions take place in the comfort of the mom's own home ("A unique baby shower gift!" notes Thompson) over the course of several hours, during which the human canvases must stand completely still while FDA-approved body paint is applied, for a cost of around $250. Popular motifs seem to revolve around animals and flowers, though we personally are holding out for the one of a tub of Haagen-Dazs and a jar of pickles.

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By Jamie Feldmar in Arts & Entertainment on July 18, 2011 12:38 PM

Comments [rss]

Andrea Conder Bridges

This would be so fun. I should have done it back in the day when I was oh so very pregnant. One of my www.RepeatPossessions.com customers has developed a pregnancy kit called http://www.artbellies.com/ You don't have to be pregnant to enjoy it, but if you are, you will have so much fun.

Guest

i swear i thought it was a head before i clicked...

Guest

...bald-head painting, anyone? that pic looks awfully flowery.

hashedz

I guess pics of a pregnant belly, and the children that are borne from them aren't enough of a reminder of their pregnancy for some.
Spend Spend Spend--suckers!

nicemarmot

There is a lot of stupid-ass shit marketed to preggos. I was preggo myself not too long ago and I could only shake my head. They also sell belly molds so that you can keep a permanent reminder of how horribly engorged you were!

Amazed143

Pregnancy is an amazing and beautiful process. Every women should feel like the wonderous life giver that she is. I am so sorry that you felt and do still feel this way. What has society done to us????

nicemarmot

Two things: A. *My* pregnancy was not amazing or beautiful. I almost died twice, though thankfully my baby and I are now fine. I suspect you have never had children, or you would know that while it is certainly an amazing process, pregnancy is not beautiful.
B. Who are you to tell me how I should feel? Why is my experience any less valid because I didn't think it was nice? It has nothing to do with "society" and everything to do with being extremely, life-threateningly ill for nine and a half months. And no, I would not want a reminder of that: not of the way I looked (skinny yet bloated), and not of the way I felt (so sick I thought I really would die.)