Second Act
Added 2021-10-29 18:52:36 +0000 UTCI remember this so vividly. When my brother was two and a half he saw me painting my toenails on the bathroom floor. I was four at the time and my mother had taught me how to use her red nail polish, they must have looked horrible but I was amazed that I could alter my appearance like that. I could be colorful externally, without relying on clothing purchased for me by the authorities that be. My brother sat with me and watched as we talked about whatever you talk about when you’re a toddler, I don’t have any idea anymore.
But I remember what he said after. He asked me to paint his toenails. He must have been just as amazed that something so wonderful existed. His clothes were duller than mine, no bright colors, no sparkles. He was a boy and that’s what little boys were given to wear.
So I had him stand and I laid on the floor and painted all of his tiny toes red. Then he brought down his toys and we painted their fingers red too. The bathroom looked like a crime scene.
My little brother is a proud queer man, he is braver than I am, he is stronger than I could ever hope to be, he is who he is and no one else. His first act of rebellion in a world that is against us was breathing, his second was asking me to paint his nails. It’s been twenty-three years and sometimes when we see each other he still asks me to do his nails.
So I draw characters like Crowley with painted nails. You may not like it. You don’t have to. But don’t think for a second that this is without meaning. It isn’t. Not to me.
Comments
I absolutely love Crowley having painted nails. I think it fits him perfectly. Not just in look but character. Crowley seems to have a bit more of a feminine side to him, plus that inner rocker. 💕💕
WaywardGrl80
2022-04-01 07:03:20 +0000 UTCThis is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us 💜💜💜
Alex Booer
2021-11-05 20:27:17 +0000 UTCThis actually brought a tear to my eye. You both absolutely rock! Good for him and good for you. This old world needs so many more like you and your brother. Love this story ❤️🥲
Nicola Coxon
2021-10-31 16:32:49 +0000 UTCBOO. FRIKKING. YEAH.
Ashfae
2021-10-30 21:55:33 +0000 UTC❤️❤️❤️❤️
Dr Cindy Corliss
2021-10-30 16:10:06 +0000 UTCI've always loved that you paint Crowley's nails since I see see him as a fellow non-binary person. But knowing why makes it even better.
Julian
2021-10-30 14:06:01 +0000 UTCI love you and your brother. This is SO empowering. Thank you so much for sharing your family, your passion, and your goodness with us.
Ana
2021-10-30 03:41:33 +0000 UTC❤️
Sarah Marino
2021-10-30 01:31:32 +0000 UTCI LOVE THIS SO MUCH it makes it even better now
Melissa
2021-10-29 22:58:24 +0000 UTCI love this Whiteley! You are the. Est ans i think you are strong and brave for making yourself vulnerable and sharing things with us. ♥️♥️♥️ Thank you friend.
pyracantha
2021-10-29 22:46:22 +0000 UTCfuck yes! I write this through literal tears 🔥❤️ thank you for sharing this personal story with us, Whiteley, wish all the best to you, your brother and every living person on Earth who who sees this and needs it rn, bc yes, we deserve to be, to breathe, to paint our nails and do whatever we hecking want to do, on our terms and no one else's 🤘❤️ amazing, powerful art, love it ❤️
sick_pineapple
2021-10-29 21:47:58 +0000 UTCI always just took your Crowley’s nails a a nice aesthetic choice. Knowing there’s so much more behind it makes me love his nails more ❤️❤️❤️
Caren
2021-10-29 20:54:02 +0000 UTCThis is even more lovely for being true. And now Crowley’s painted nails have meaning for all of us too.
Atelerix
2021-10-29 20:45:31 +0000 UTCOh wow, I love eventing about this ❤️❤️❤️
Jess
2021-10-29 20:40:33 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing this story. It resonates so much and I am proud of you both! Hugs!
AelishLuna
2021-10-29 20:39:29 +0000 UTCLive this so much. Sending you both so much love. Thank you for sharing ❤
NGK
2021-10-29 20:19:23 +0000 UTCLovely story. Thanks for the share.
Res Judicata
2021-10-29 20:09:43 +0000 UTCThis is so beautiful, I cried.
Kelcie Dobbs-Gonzalez
2021-10-29 20:07:30 +0000 UTCThis warms my heart. My partner is straight but very open minded and let me (and my niece) paint his nails, which is just super cute and a way of him saying he's cool with my fluctuations
Cj
2021-10-29 19:57:44 +0000 UTCThis is beautiful, thanks for sharing this story with us♥️
Marta
2021-10-29 19:57:42 +0000 UTCThis was so powerful and just makes me love your work so much more.
Thia Grey
2021-10-29 19:51:46 +0000 UTCI definitely would!
Whiteley Foster
2021-10-29 19:51:32 +0000 UTCThank you so much for sharing this story, Whiteley. It’s going to add a whole new dimension of joy whenever I look at how you give characters painted nails.
mikripetra
2021-10-29 19:51:14 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing this story. It's so beautiful and important. Actually, would you consider this as a print? It's frickin' great;I love the colour scheme. ❤️💜
Telda
2021-10-29 19:42:51 +0000 UTCYour story had me crying at work. I love it and you and your brother and ow you represent him in your art. ❤️ Sometimes, simple things like painted nails help to break down bigger barriers. I also adore Crowley with painted nails! At the moment mine are black except *that* finger is red as a statement.
Kat Holtz
2021-10-29 19:29:35 +0000 UTCI've never used nail polish, but what the hell-- infinite diversity in infinite combinations!
Tina Rhea
2021-10-29 19:19:58 +0000 UTCTY ❤️
Kari
2021-10-29 19:07:15 +0000 UTC🥰
rippingoffmyface
2021-10-29 19:05:53 +0000 UTCI love this so much. Thank you.
Cyn (amadness2method)
2021-10-29 19:00:49 +0000 UTCThis is beautiful.
SH
2021-10-29 18:58:43 +0000 UTCNail polish is for everyone! <3
J
2021-10-29 18:57:50 +0000 UTCPlease give my love to your whole fam, including your brother
Blair
2021-10-29 18:56:54 +0000 UTCThis brought happy tears to my eyes, thank you so much for sharing! I adore Crowley wearing nail polish!
Vayne Darkrose
2021-10-29 18:55:57 +0000 UTC❤️❤️❤️ Crowley with nail polish ALWAYS brings me joy!!!
JillianVolts
2021-10-29 18:55:28 +0000 UTCThat's so sweet. I'm glad y'all have each other.
Neil K.
2021-10-29 18:55:24 +0000 UTCAwwwwwwww...this is such a lovely story and explanation...Hugs to you and your brother!<3
Lizzie the OwlyCat
2021-10-29 18:55:18 +0000 UTCDefy and Live!
UsedtobeHMC
2021-10-29 18:55:17 +0000 UTCSending you all the hugs and hearts.
Caspian
2021-10-29 18:55:08 +0000 UTCThis is amazing
Linda
2021-10-29 18:54:19 +0000 UTCBeautiful story, beautiful art- thank you for sharing ❤️
Ash S.
2021-10-29 18:54:11 +0000 UTC<3 Extra heart because one isn't enough
Dana
2021-10-29 18:53:58 +0000 UTC
