How to Paint Vulvas
first, water in a mason jar. brushes,
both flat and round. thick paper, creamy
with a slight tooth.
water soluble, wax pastels in purple, vermillion, red.
layer fields of saturated color. Wash over them
with a wet brush.
next, intend to paint flowers—
roses, peonies.
start in the center, petals curled closed. work
the pigments outward
into ruffled, translucent edges.
keep a steady
hand. breathe.
carefully delineate each petal. bathe
each blossom until the colors o p e n into scarlet
horizons. humid sunrises.
clarify intent. now, you are painting vulvas—
silently thank Georgia.
breathe some more.
empty the mason jar. rinse the brushes in clean water
and lay them flat to dry.
hang the painting where everyone can see it.
do not apologize.
both flat and round. thick paper, creamy
with a slight tooth.
water soluble, wax pastels in purple, vermillion, red.
layer fields of saturated color. Wash over them
with a wet brush.
next, intend to paint flowers—
roses, peonies.
start in the center, petals curled closed. work
the pigments outward
into ruffled, translucent edges.
keep a steady
hand. breathe.
carefully delineate each petal. bathe
each blossom until the colors o p e n into scarlet
horizons. humid sunrises.
clarify intent. now, you are painting vulvas—
silently thank Georgia.
breathe some more.
empty the mason jar. rinse the brushes in clean water
and lay them flat to dry.
hang the painting where everyone can see it.
do not apologize.
Fia Montero is an autistic Latinx writer based in Des Moines, Iowa. She holds a BFA in art and design from Iowa State University, and a BSHS in pre-medical studies from Mercy College of Health Sciences. Her poem “Tandem Voices Trill for Me” is forthcoming in Literary Mama.
Art: Summer Dreaming 2 by Rina Patel