Thirty-two year old Amy Giles works in Patient Accounting. When her portrait was done she was a size 30. She has been happily married for nine years to a man she meant online. She calls him a "good southern boy from Alabama".
Moe: Why did I become a Toil Girl?
Amy Giles: Well, My husband was surfing the Internet one day and he called me in and said, "You have to see this!" He had up Les Toil's website. I fell in love with the art the first time I saw it. I made him get up and give me the chair and I sat there and went through each and every page, gushing over them all. He was just watching me, giggling. I was like, "I want one!" He just smiled and said, "Whatever my lady wants!" So I looked up how to become a Toil Girl and went for it.
Moe: What does the imagery in your pin-up represent?
Amy Giles: Well, since he did pin-up art, I searched through the classics, and found one I fell in love with and presented him with my idea. It was a picture by Gil Elvgren. I'm not sure of the name of the piece, but he was so pleased that I was a fan of classic pin-up art, because those artists, of course, have been an inspiration to him. I told him I'd like to have my cat in the picture too and asked him if I could have a picture of my husband on the night stand. He had never put a man in a Toil Girl picture before but agreed to do. I have always been a letter writer. I love to write and receive letters, so in my picture, I'm writing a love letter to my husband.
Moe: What has being a Toil Girl done for you personally?
Amy Giles: For starters, it was very flattering to see Les Toil's interpretation of me. I was so pleased with his work. It was also such a pleasure to work with Les. He is the most congenial person. He has a way with words, which you can tell by reading the write ups he does on his site. I feel so honored to have corresponded with him. He is very personable. When Christine, a Toil Girl that came after me, started up a yahoo group for Les Toil fans, I joined and I have gotten to talk with other fans of his art and other Toil Girls and have really enjoyed all the wonderful people I've gotten to meet just by having my portrait done and finding this great artist.
Moe: What do you hope your image says to other plus size women?
Amy Giles: I hope it says that plus size women can be sexy and confident. I have heard testimonials of plus size women who have looked at Les's art and are amazed to see plus size women in a positive light. I hope it helps them feel better about themselves.
Moe: What do you hope it says to men?
Amy Giles: Well, I hope it makes them look at large women in new way. I'm flattered when people like my portrait, man or woman.
Moe: Do you have any advice for someone thinking of becoming a Toil Girl?
Amy Giles: Les will only do one portrait per person, so really think about what theme you want. I personally think, it's worth the money. Les is a wonderful person to work with. Please don't worry about contacting him. If you are having a hard time thinking of a theme, he is willing and ready to help you out with that. Save that money and get it done!
Fun Stuff
Favourite Movie: Raising Arizona.
Favourite Song: Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison).
Role Model: My Grandma and Mom.
Meet more Toil Girls.
