#MarkerChronicles Is One Woman’s Inspiring Way of Dealing With Vitiligo

Celebrities including the late Michael Jackson and model Winnie Harlow have done a lot to shed light on vitiligo, a condition that causes a loss of skin pigment in patches. But those who have it know living with vitiligo is no easy task. Instagram model and artist Ash Soto refuses to let vitiligo stop her — and in fact has started a very inspiring movement.

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I've been embracing being more bare faced lately, yes I have #vitiligo on my face over the years being diagnosed at 12 it has completely lost pigment. I feel more free, that doesn't mean that you can't wear makeup. It always feels good to enhance the beauty you already possess, bare faced or caked face you're still stunning, darling. You do what makes YOU happy and no one can tell you differently. You are in control of your own happiness ♡

A post shared by ASH SOTO (@radiantbambi) on Feb 18, 2017 at 6:16pm PST

Soto, who uses the handle @radiantbambi, was diagnosed at age 12. In an interview with A Plus, she said, “I didn’t know how to react because I had no knowledge on what vitiligo was or what would happen to me. I remember my mom sitting there crying and I just sat there confused and scared. I didn’t know how much my life would change from that moment on.”

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Thinking about starting my own YouTube channel so I can connect with you angels on a different level. I try to put myself out there for you all in all my captions and I think this would be a great way for you to get to know me and actually hearing my words would get through to you more. What do you think? ⚡️🕊🌹🌈

A post shared by ASH SOTO (@radiantbambi) on Jan 27, 2017 at 6:22pm PST

To cope with her condition, she tapped into her artistic side. In a project she calls The Marker Chronicles (she uses #MarkerChronicles as her hashtag), Soto traces her patches to create some pretty awesome body art, and shares the images on social media.

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The human body is the best work of art there is 🕊 I want to keep creating art for you angels, so I want to know what you'd like to see next? Give me suggestions and I'll choose the one I like the most and I'll do that one next ⭐️🎨

A post shared by ASH SOTO (@radiantbambi) on Feb 20, 2017 at 6:41pm PST

Soto began uploading the body pics in 2016 to inspire young girls to embrace what makes them unique. “The thought of sharing my whole self on social media was a paralyzingly one. We have all experienced or seen how cruel people can be, especially behind the safety of a keyboard,” Soto said in her interview. “It took me a long time to share my true self. I decided to post when I felt like I was strong enough and mentally able to handle the reaction, whichever way I was meant to receive it.”

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I am my own experiment, I am my own work of art. The girl with the world painted on her body 🌎 By being yourself and embracing it only makes you put something amazing in the world that wasn't there and that makes you unique ⭐️ credits to @torpe.ternura for making me her canvas 🗾

A post shared by ASH SOTO (@radiantbambi) on Feb 13, 2017 at 5:03pm PST

And she’s showing no signs of stopping now. “I want to continue to bring awareness to vitiligo and the importance of body positivity. I hope to continue doing what I’m doing now which is inspiring others to accept themselves for who they are,” she said. We hope you keep up the (stunning) good work too Ash!

Inspired by Ash Soto’s story? Share yours @BritandCo!

(Photos via Ash Soto)