Meet International Woman Katheryn Trenshaw, Project Director of The In Your Own Skin Project

TOTNES, U.K. - March 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Katheryn is also the creator of the worldwide project In Your Own Skin a multimedia social art project which reveals hidden personal truths about individuals from across the globe.

Katheryn, a renowned international artist has travelled the world as an artist, therapist, consultant and teacher for over thirty years. She has consistently explored human expression and wellbeing and she is ultimately interested in the essential qualities of what makes human beings truly and deeply happy.

Katheryn is passionate about living an authentic life and she came up with the concept In Your Own Skin when many of the ingredients from all of her work throughout the years came together in the spark of the idea for the project.

So how does it the project work? Katheryn Trenshaw interviews the participants and asks them to choose a word or phrase which depicts something about them which they have kept hidden from the general public. That word or phrase is then painted onto their skin and a photographic portrait is captured. The image then becomes part of the project and going forward that person’s story will be featured in a book, a film and exhibition.

Initially when I came across the project I presumed it was about letting go of a negative past to find a positive way forward, but I soon understood it differently. I realized that not all things concealed or hidden are negative. In fact what I came to appreciate is that sharing with other people can be cathartic and useful. In fact, sharing something hidden inside you can have a positive impact. The project is about connecting the dots …… happiness, connection and vulnerability, which in turn leads to authentic engagement with all people.

Katheryn explained to me, “As humans we are hardwired to connect. We must be more connected than ever to thrive and that we connect most powerfully through vulnerability and authentic sharing. We are all living in times of political, economic, ecological, social and emotional transition. Therefore the portraits and stories revealed in the project In Your Own Skin provide a living transformative story in a world searching for hope, wisdom and resilience”.

In essence art goes beyond language to unlock a person's hidden potential and provides a safe setting to take risks and rediscover ones’ own unique voice. For example a chance meeting for Katheryn when she was visiting the British Museum led to the awe inspiring story of Moa. Moa is a woman from Sweden who was visiting London. After she shared what was true about herself but not obvious to others, she felt empowered and had a sense of strength and courage. Moa had previously suffered from severe depression for fifteen years and was photographed with “incapacitating depression” on her skin. This juxtaposed with her broad smile is such a paradox and her story reminded me of the masks many of wear.  (Read Moa’s full story in the book – In Your Own Skin).

During my time with Katheryn today on International Women’s day I asked her how does she encourage people to open up and how does she ensure each person is mentally OK to participate in the project. Katheryn explained "My experience of thirty years as an art therapist, consultant and teacher gives me a base from which to listen well. And in addition to that, as a woman, mother and presence practitioner, I am deeply curious without judgement.”

Juliet Russell, singer and vocal coach on BBC1’s The Voice UK has been quoted as follows "In Your Own Skin is a beautiful depiction of our shared humanity".

Hear what Juliet had to say about the project by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGGyP6JcFA4



Having read myself the stories of the people behind the portraits,  I have seen that these courageous souls have all done something incredible in sharing their happiness, connection and vulnerability. After all each of us has a powerful story to tell which can help nurture and grow a future global community.

If you met Katheryn what would be your story? What is true of you that is not obvious to strangers?

Katheryn even walks her talk by revealing her story. To find out more and what hidden truth she chose to reveal, go to: http/:www.InYourOwnSkin.org

To get involved with this incredible project sign up to the newsletter (accessable from the website).! And watch this space for special premiums in the upcoming crowdsourcing campaign.

For further information on Katheryn Trenshaw and the In Your Own Skin Project email: post@ktrenshaw.com

Meet some of the participants on the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqjVhlv7BM4

Stay in touch with the project by signing up to the newsletter and follow the facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/inyourownskinproject