A couple of things happened to generate the thoughts behind this page - two women of my acquaintance have been working through very difficult situations in ways that impressed me so much with their strength and courage.
There hasn't been as much time as I'd like to work in my journal lately, so it was special to finally sit down and paint a background and begin to collage. I know some people are intimidated by a white empty page ... but I love the feeling of possibility and the adventure of starting something with no idea of where it will lead.
Somewhere in this process I had two telephone conversations with the people involved, which left me with the feeling that it was a wonderful thing to be a woman in the company of such sisters. I was also trying to work with "vintagey" colours, something I've always loved - I prefer brights but sometimes softer hues are more restful to the brain and eye.
Once I found a slip of paper in my stash with the words "women of all shapes and ages" the message I wanted began to form in my mind and on the page. Another Modigliani lady represents a universal woman here, I think the word "winter" is there because of the dark times we all go through, and "nature" makes reference to the very essence and nature of women. It all made sense to me at the time, honest!
Then the last thing I did was let the words "women are amazing" explode out of my brain and onto the page. I have been a lifelong feminist, and yes there is still so much more to do, even if we do now have women bishops! Some of the voices telling me the battles have all been won have gone a bit quiet lately during the current row (in the UK at least) about equal pay? Decades after the legislation of 1970 which hoped to ensure this, it absolutely doesn't exist yet ....
I suppose the bottom line here is that this is me making a bit of a speech on paper, letting rip with some of my deepest held beliefs, and above all wanting to focus on the positives, and celebrate all that is amazing about women everywhere - including you and me!
2 comments:
I absolutely love your style, Rosie, and especially appreciate your explaining it step by step. Thanks.
How cheering and heart-warming! We are indeed. And I loved seeing how that subtle background morphed into something with such power.
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