I’m a creative, experienced, multi-purpose artist and art director
who can take projects start to finish in a variety of styles.

Good designs sell –
my designs sell out!

Saturday, April 4, 2015

"Warrior"

The boys in my neighborhood were a war-like group.  They made weapons and forts and had battle plans with shifting allegiances.  Ever the pacifist, I left flowers in their forts.

Someone recently made the assumption that I was a tomboy.  I was certainly told that I was at the time, but I don't know if it was true.  I climbed a lot of trees and resented then, and still resent, pink marketing.  Sitting still and watching fingernail polish dry in a cloud of noxious fumes reminds me of Chinese foot binding as a way of debilitating female brilliance and achievement.

I respect the true warriors of the world like Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Warren, Mother Therese... people who see a problem and do what they can to fix it.  Their gender isn't a gauge of their competence, although perhaps it is critical in how they approach the problems they tackle(d)?

"Boys will be boys" will always be true.  They'll build their forts and kill each other in mock battles.  The "dead" smiled at me when I put flowers on their chests.  We were all true to our natures on the battlefield, and one boy gently tucked his flower in his shirt pocket when the dead resurrected to head off for more of their boyish activities.

It's always a fight to be ourselves as long as we live around other people.  It isn't just gender roles.  Other people want us to behave in ways that make them the most comfortable.  Their pressures can be subtle or oppressive, and it can be a challenge to live our fullest lives.

I think this is especially important for creative people, whatever their specialty.  On the tv show "The Voice", it's often said that technical ability isn't the be all end all.  The singing contestants need to share themselves and their feelings in order for the audience to be with them.  Watching them struggle with fears about opening up reminds me that this is something we all need to do, and to be receptive to others when they do it.

Why was/is it necessary to define whether or not I was a tomboy?  Why did other people feel justified in voicing their labels to a child?  My goal, then and now, is simply to live my life as well as I can live it with as much of myself intact.

And while a sword drawing seems out of whack for a self-affirmed pacifist, it's unapologetically a part of me.  I'm my own kind of warrior who wants a pretty handle on an impractical weapon that's suggestive of an idea -- and that kind of idea and statement is me.  I'm kind of tempted to draw a lot of flowers in the background now too, which gives me the push/pull of OCD perfectionism and laziness -- which is also me, but at least that's all within myself without pressure from anyone else.  That is absolute freedom.

I posted this sword in my 4th blog post ever which you can see here.  It's hard to believe it's been 5 years!  As a thanks to all of you who've shared my journey I'm thinking of doing a giveaway next week, so make sure to come back then.  Course it also depends on whether or not my current project(s) with linoleum blocks work out the way I'd like, but it's a goal :)
.

11 comments:

  1. Linda, these are great illustrations.

    'Why did other people feel justified in voicing their labels to a child?' is an important question. Maybe they like to encourage a child to grow up being special? Maybe the opposite, like a friendly reprimand, stating the child inquestion should be different. It depends on how and in which context the comment or label is given.

    Children who can express themselves through music or art might have a bigger change to become themselves without too many distractions or faux pas. Because one can't escape which art or music is expressed; it always will be 'you'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right Paula, however creative people express themselves it will be from that person's individuality. But too many of us fight ourselves, so it's more us the more truly we do it with our full selves. I suppose being as much of who we can be is the goal for all of us? Thanks for giving more to think about!

      Delete
  2. Gorgeous art, Linda!!! Tomboy or not, you certainly have had your enviable and memorable adventures. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Susan! Who knew when I was having those adventures that I'd tell the world about them all these years later? :)

      Delete
  3. Your blog posts have so much depth that I sometimes forget that I come here to look at your artwork! (Wonderful as always, by the way).
    I don't paint my nails, and don't EVEN get me started on pink marketing. Still, when my guys get out their guns to go target shooting, I can easily come up with about 100 things I'd rather do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and I meant to say how much I love the image of you placing flowers upon the "dead"!

      Delete
  4. To be fair, the art I put here varies in effort. I'll admit this one took a while to create, so I especially appreciate kind words for that effort. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great piece for warrior. I love the feather. I don't think I have a darn thing for that theme. P.S. I don't like the color pink!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous sword Linda and I also love the addition of the feather. 5 years goes by so quickly doesn't it, congratulations on reaching that milestone.I have really enjoyed visiting you. It's sad that people need to label children. I agree we all need to be ourselves and enjoy the journey, called life, whichever way it suits x

    ReplyDelete
  7. I very much agree with you. We should all be and be allowed to be whatever we are or feel like being. We don't need to be categorized beyond being ourselves. And, yes, I know it's not easy. Good luck with the linoleum blocks work, by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks everybody! The last 5 years wouldn't have been as much fun without you. In fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have kept doing it without you!

    ReplyDelete