Sophie’s devotion to the women she paints has also led her to confront her own body insecurities. Initially, she began painting the nude form to mend her relationship with the female body. However, in 2023, she became the subject of her own artwork for the first time. After years of helping other women find beauty in themselves, Sophie felt it was only fair to show the same vulnerability. She plans to revisit this deeply personal project soon.

‘The relationship we have with our bodies is always changing. Last year, I froze my eggs. I thought it would be fine, but it was really quite taxing on your body and your emotions, and I messed up my first round. I couldn’t believe how much my body completely changed because of hormones and how I felt about that. It was like I wasn’t in my own body. Women put in their essays and they’ve talked in my shows about that feeling. I think I always understood it, but I actually felt that looking in the mirror.’

Although Sophie initially gained recognition through social media, labelling her an “online artist” would be an oversimplification. Her achievements (including Send Nudes Live, a bust displayed in the National Portrait Gallery, and the viral Charity Shop Friday series) demonstrate how she uses social media to foster meaningful, real-world artistic connection. Sophie’s work is driven not only by her passion for women but also by her belief that social media is a tool used to curve art back towards physical experiences.

‘A lot of art in the past has been about mystery. But for me, I’m so social and such an over-sharer that I wouldn’t have been able to do what I do fifty years ago. I just think I’m leaning in more to social media. It defines our generation, so hopefully people can look back and see that I was on the cusp of bringing through this new era of social-led independent artists.’