2023 is zooming by and already March is here! With March comes Women’s History month! This month holds significance not only because of my own gender but because it reminds me of all the wonderful women in my life who have been there for me, guided me and inspired me to be more.
As a child, my mother was part of the Women’s movement marching to gain better rights for women, my sister and I along side her. I just a small child in a pusher. She always reminded my sister and I that we could accomplish anything and to be strong and proud as women.
Jump to my early 20’s where I was privileged to work with RedPlanet a community based Screen-printing workshop that ran many community programs, events, and artist in residencies with a focus on empowering and raising awareness on social issues. Here I worked with an amazing group of women and this led to working with the Guerilla Girls of New York on a project. An inspiring time for me.
I also had the privilege of touring with Vardos, an all female trio as their bass player and it was this that led me to my world of music and many amazing adventures.
My sister was and still is my greatest cheerleader and counsel when things are rough a woman of such strength and warm heart. And in fact many of the women from various parts of my family have inspired me and taught me much.
Of course I have had lots of inspiring adventures and support with amazing males in my life, but this month, it is time to celebrate the women in my life, to remember those whom I have lost and those I have yet to meet or am still to learn more of.
The latter may sound strange, but history shows us many amazing women. With my own quest, I have women that make up part of my history that were hidden from me in a certain sense as I was adopted. Over my life I have searched and found parts of family and learned parts of history, but the journey still continues. Over the month I will be highlighting some Women from history who have made their way into my paintings as well as talking about my next planned projects.
The painting shown above is from my Ancrene collection and is one such inspiring woman. Hildegard Von Bingen. Born in 1098, she began from a very young age as an Anchoress. One locked away to be alone and one with God (although in her case she was initially enclosed with one other. Jutta). However her destiny was not to stay locked away. For in her solace she created art and music downloaded a whole new language professed to be from God and wrote volumes of visionary theological works as well as Scientific and Medicinal ones. After Jutta passed, she proclaimed that God needed her to share her good works so she left her solitary confinement and eventually became an Abbess.
The whole Anchoreta exhibition was a fascinating and exciting one to work on. There were a few male Anchorites, who followed this path, but many more female Anchoresses whose vision power and wisdom gained them repute and respect. In the case of Hildegard, even earning Sainthood! At a time when a woman’s choices were limited, this path was certainly a courageous one.
More works from this collection can be found by following clicking here
With many more interesting stories to tell! Happy women’s history month!
