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dark feminine.
Women have held my artist’s hand and eye because we need a space to feel seen. Not just in the way of showing up or showing ourselves; plenty of people look at us, but they don’t really see.
We’re too much of this, not enough of that. We care too much about our appearance or we really need to care more. We're too wrapped up in being a mother, we’re shamed for not wanting ot become one. Too much business and work, not enough housewife. Too traditional, not feminist enough. Too feminist. Too nice, she’s fake. Too firm, she’s a bitch.
No matter which way the pendulum swings, we can’t sustain our ground for long. We’re tired. What do they all want from us? We’re trying our best and killing ourselves in the process. When will it be enough?
We have endless faces, endless facets and quiet deep strength, so hidden you don’t even notice when you see us.
In painting women, using myself as a mirror, I want to bring attention to what lies below the surface of our made-up, polished selves. And no, you don’t have to be “polished” to still be masking. We’ve become so used to shrinking not to take up space. But I want to take up space.