Friday, July 24, 2015

In praise of plump women

I have a confession to make. I really like plump women. Actually, I like all women, but I have a special fondness for those with curves.

This painting by E Phillips Fox, the Butterfly, is from the current New England Regional Art Museum exhibition, The Female Nude. She is not really plump, but she definitely has curves!

I'm not sure how many diets I have suffered from over the years in pursuit of health or, more often, some idealised weight. I know that there have been dozens and dozens.

I don't mind weight reduction for the purpose of health. I will support that whole-heartedly. But it's very difficult to explain to one's female friend or partner that you actually like them the way they are. Worse, dieting with the aim of bodily improvement creates pressure on me, wondering just how I might improve. to get rid of my imperfections, to match this new desired self demanded by the other.

Sitting on the couch having cooked for the non-dieting members of my family while the dieter eats her lean cuisine or whatever leaves me feeling inadequate and dissatisfied. Inadequate because my cooking is not good enough, dissatisfied because it is just so anti-social. Needless to say, perhaps, my interest in the other person is reduced.

It is a fact of life, I think, that women as they grow older and have children tend to add cellulite and curves. That doesn't stop them being physically attractive. In fact, some of the sexiest women I have known, those who make you want to make love to them, have been apparently overweight. There is a sparkle there that has nothing to do with weight. Or, perhaps, it does. Perhaps plump women are simply sexier. Who wants to make love to a skeleton?

11 comments:

Barbara Martin said...

Perhaps women do not realize that they are fine the way they are. Excellent post, by the way.

Anonymous said...

NERAM: 6 paintings, 5 male artists, no dogs or cats. Calling AC :)

kvd

2 tanners said...

Nailed it.

Jim Belshaw said...

Hi Barbara and thanks. I'm still enjoying your blog, by the way. http://barbaramartin.blogspot.com.au/. Clearly 2t agrees that women are indeed fine the way they are!

Well, kvd, if it's female nudes wouldn't you expect a male bias? On dogs or cats, Avenger is trying to send his regards as I write. I assume that's he is trying to do given his obsessive focus on the keyboard!

Evan said...

Fat cells play a role in fertility.

And it is healthier to be a bit (not a lot) overweight.

Anonymous said...

I have never been accused of being a skeleton.

Jim Belshaw said...

Hi Evan. And Anon, that's a dangerous comment. It could lead me badly astray. What if I get the wrong anon? But, based on context and cadence, my answer would be no! Definitely sexy, though.

Anonymous said...

How many anons are there? BTW it's a female anon; I think you worked that out!
Hope I've still got what it takes.

Jim Belshaw said...

Actually, anon, quite a few anons!. I'm sure that you do.

Rummuser said...

You must have been an Indian in your previous incarnation. We love buxom women and I particularly. Not for me the Twiggies and stick like ladies who look half starved.

And there! Another thing that I have learnt about you.

Jim Belshaw said...

Hi Ramana. I take being Indian in a previous incarnation as a real complement! I wonder how much is left to learn?