|  | | “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” - Mary Oliver |
| | |  | O’ Taste and See Oil on Canvas, 18”x30” |
| | For over half my life the message I received is that good girls, good women aren’t supposed to be hungry. Women hungry for freedom, knowledge, emotional and physical intimacy, autonomy, opportunities, equal pay and adventure are often considered selfish, greedy, ungrateful, evil, or difficult. Sometimes we’re just hungry for actual food and even that can be so restricted. We’re meant to remain complacent, content, small, submissive, sweet, grateful for whatever we’re handed, numbing our desires and feelings for the sake of making things more pleasant for everyone around us.
Historically, women have had to challenge the status quo, reach out, and take what they need. I’m grateful to all the Eves before me. In my eyes, they are the righteous heroines in the story. |
| |  | Enlighten Me Oil on Canvas, 18”x30” |
| | I knew early on while planning my show that I wanted snakes on each side of my self portrait. Why snakes?
In Biblical mythology, snakes represent evil, but in Greek mythology they sometimes represent power (Medusa, the victim of terrible violence), rebirth (Ouroboros, the symbol of eternal renewal), and healing (Asclepius, god of medicine and healing, leading to the inclusion of the snake and staff in medical symbolism.) The snake was considered sacred for it’s ability to shed it’s skin and start anew.
I was raised in a fear based culture. We were taught to be afraid of people, things, ideas outside of our tiny belief system and comfort zone. Almost everything was considered “evil” or “demonic” and there was no room for exploration, education, or understanding. I began to learn at a young age that the actual harm was coming from the people and places meant to protect me from said “evil”, but it would take many years to fully shed some of the indoctrination.
I was the baby in the family in more ways that one, overly anxious and frightened of pretty much every single thing, yet I was the only one who was able to really conquer her fear enough to face the “beast.” My fear was great, but my curiosity was greater.
I came to understand that everything in my world was upside down. I learned that the “snakes” were the healers, the sheep were the wolves, and the world I was taught to fear was bursting with life, beauty, and color.
The religious titles for some of my pieces are my way of turning things right side up, and giving power back to those from whom it was taken. I love that the people I was taught to fear helped free me. I love that the questions I was told not to ask enlightened me.
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened.” Genesis 3:4-5 |
| | I would love to see you at the show! Please stop by and invite a friend.
In Her Nature Opening Reception August 2, 5-9 pm LibertyTown Arts Workshop 916 Liberty St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
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| | | While my work and show are personal, it’s really about something much bigger than me. The pieces do touch on my experience with trauma and healing, but I know every body carries old wounds and new growth, everyone has a story to tell, and sometimes our stories overlap. I wanted to include some of the women that I know in my work and newsletter, so this month I asked my friends and models NiTasha and Margaret to answer a few questions. |
|  | (Details from Breakthrough in Blush) |
| | NiTasha (Breakthough in Blush)
Q: What is something you want people to know about you? A: I’m a singer-songwriter/composer/producer, multi-media artist/creative, photographer, teacher and single mama to one spectacular human named Ayla and a pup called Ella Fitzgerald.
Q: What is something that you love about yourself, inside and outside? A: Inside, I love my whole inner world. I love that I’m an incredibly creative person – always hearing music or thinking up ideas or on a mission to see the world in a new re-enchanted way, while being very type A in running the business side of things or staying organized (read: juggling spinning plates.) I love that I’m a person who feels deeply (for better or worse). I love love. I enjoy being a passionate, romantic, maternal person who deeply enjoys and thrives in relationships of all levels. I also think existing as a creative in this algorithmic-AI-dystopian world we live in can feel incredibly oppressive and silencing, if not a bit hopeless at times. And I think I love that there always seems to be this little engine that could of a spark in me that asks me to keep going… a little more… So, I think I love the resilient beat of my heart, and cheering others on, as well. Outside, I love my hair.
Q: What was it like posing for me? A: So easy. I felt absolutely at home and at ease.
Q: How did seeing your portrait make you feel? A: Awe and wonderment. First at the utter beauty of the piece – all of the detail, and concept… all of it. The photos and videos do not do it justice. Also, it was so lovely to feel beautiful and worthy of being the muse of such a masterful artist. It’s such an honor and I still can’t get over it.
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| NiTasha is an incredibly inspiring and gifted creative. You can enjoy her soothing melodies and enchanting vocals here. I feel that her work, like mine, has subtle and entrancing layers. NiTasha is one of those beautiful souls you can go straight into deep conversation with and I love that about her. |
|  | | | Margaret (Revival)
Q: What is something you want people to know about you? A: They are seeing the best version of myself… refined by time and life experiences.
Q: What is something that you love about yourself, inside and outside? A: Inside - The congruency of my authentic character. Outside - I love that my outside gives me a way to express who I am, add color and dimension, allows me to feel touch, and is a great wrapping paper that distinguishes who I am from others. But if you want a typical answer it would be my eyes and smile because they showcase who I am.
Q: What was it like posing for me? A: Inviting, Elegant, Comfortable….. having the opportunity to participate in this meaningful collection was significant for me. Your work is deeply striking, it’s rich with layers and peers deeply into the soul.
Q: How did seeing your portrait make you feel? A: Divine, for me it captures the essence of how one feels after experiencing pain, hurt, disappointment and then reaching the state of relaxation and acceptance of self. |
| | | Margaret is my dearest friend, the sister I very much needed and decided to adopt, and often my second therapist, haha. I’m forever grateful we’ve had each other on this 14 year long emotional rollercoaster!
Thank you beautiful friends for your thoughtful responses. |
| |  | | There are 14 pieces in my collection, In Her Nature, with a full range of sizes. While there are unifying themes, I also chose to tie everything together by giving each piece a black background and gold frame. When I studied art, my teachers taught me to never use straight black, so of course that’s what I did, in excess! I’m actually really grateful to have been taught traditional methods and art fundamentals, but one must be willing and able to eventually move beyond that if expression is the goal. There are rules in art and I think it’s really useful to learn them. At the same time, it’s also good to know when, where, and how to break them, and in this case I think it works. Please forgive my stubborn little black heart, or don’t! |
| | |  | | Some hardcore crafting and mess making has been happening this Summer, and not by me.
When the kids were small, I spent countless hours building, coloring, sewing, knitting, cutting, painting, and crafting things with and for them. I did try to teach them anything they wanted to learn, but often ended up doing most of the work myself because their dreams and schemes didn’t always align with their abilities. I’ll be honest, some days I loved it, and many days I did not. It sometimes felt like I was their personal craft servant. They somehow believed I could make anything (I can’t) and promised to help (they couldn’t). Now they’ve both entered a different and glorious phase of life where I simply facilitate, hesitantly hand over the glue guns and x-acto knives, stand back, and cheer them on. It brings me so much joy to see what they come up with on a regular basis. I don’t mind if they don’t end up in creative fields. I only know that thinking creatively, working with your hands, problem solving, and even failing are essential for mental and physical wellbeing and empowerment. Repeatedly experiencing trial and error, and then pushing through to complete a project requires fortitude and self assurance and I’ve seen so much growth in them in these areas. Buying them supplies isn’t a waste even if things don’t work out. Trying isn’t a waste even if things don’t work out. It’s impossible to not learn something through the process.
There have been long periods when my kids haven’t wanted to be particularly creative and I’ve chosen to not force it. I simply live creatively alongside them and they inevitably pick it back up when they’re ready. Their interests and projects are often wildly different than mine, and I think that’s swell. They teach me new things all the time and we inspire each other. Isn’t that always the way with creatives?
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| |  | Luna is still no help, but she sends her love. |
| | | Listening
In Her Nature Playlist If my life had a soundtrack this curated playlist might be it. If you’re coming to the show, the lyrics may give you further insight into the themes, and into the mind of a middle aged mama who regularly pivots between feeling incredibly powerful and completely broken, and really just wants to have her shit together.
Reading
The Fury, Alex Michaelides A little dark and very twisty, just like I like them. Not my favorite of his 3 books, but I still devoured it.
Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake How can this book be so dry and yet so fascinating? That’s science for ya! I’m learning some really cool stuff, just don’t ask me to explain what I’m learning. I do absolutely appreciate that the subject matter, fungi, ties in so well with my current work. |
| | | I’d love to hear from you! If you enjoyed this email, please reach out or share it with a friend. Also, I won’t be mad if you tell literally everyone about my show. ;)
Work in progress, always, dolly
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