Thursday, January 24, 2013

Celebrating Female Artists



This week, I hosted an evening for all my students, where we celebrated woman and creativity and watched the movie "Who Does She Think She Is".
It got me thinking, again, about all the amazing female artists out there, past and present; and how we have to encourage and celebrate them. The fact that so many of my students related to this film and felt that they were discouraged from creating art in life or didn’t have time to do it until later on in life, shows just how important this film is.  If you haven’t seen this movie already, I highly suggest you do. And if you are a creative person and have that spark and longing in your soul to create - then PLEASE do! Don’t wait! Don’t let life, society, spouses or children get in the way of you expressing yourself. Draw, dance, paint, doodle, write, sketch…just do it!! Do it for you.
In light of these thoughts and that evening,  I would like to share  with you  an artist whose work I was privileged to have seen  at the MOMA this past summer- Elizabeth Catlett. While at the museum, I took a picture of her sculpture because I was so moved by it.  I wanted to learn more about her.  When I looked her up I was blown away by her and her work. When I showed my mom the picture she said that if I was a sculptor, that is how she imagines my art would look!
Here are the pictures that I took at the museum


And here is the link to the picture online at the MOMA- 


Personally, I like my picture more!

Elizabeth Catlett was an American born, Mexican sculptor and printmaker. Her art celebrated the heroic strength and endurance of African American and Mexican working class women. This sculptor "Mother and Child" was completed during the year she returned to sculpting after the birth of her third son. This does remind me a bit of myself! What is it about that third child? My paintings and style also really developed after the birth of my third child- my daughter. That’s when I started to paint more regularly again, and to develop my style.  The emotion in this sculpture reminds me of my work in the fact that it captures that beautiful fleeting moment between mother and child. I guess that's why I fell so in love with this work of art!
Here is another link to the sculpture online-

The last sentence in the above link to her work is so insightful and meaningful and I love it:
“This tender and protective embrace suggests the vulnerability of a mother but does not diminish her strength"!!!

 Here are some more images of her work that I found online and fell in love with.Enjoy!












15 comments:

  1. So glad you shared the movie "Who Does She Think She Is" with your students- I think it will resonate with any creative person who is struggling to find time for their pursuits amidst life's other compelling pulls. Stay inspired!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Boy, did this strike a familiar note! I have not been able to draw since my first was born (15 years ago) and I had lost all motivation. Hopefully your words will push me to return. Where can you see this movie?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Here is a link to the website of movie. It is truly inspiring. I hope you can see it. So many woman struggle with the same issue as you.I think just knowing that fact, takes away the guilty feeling and may push you to create. Start small. Sometimes its hard to find time as a parent, so don't push too hard to start. Start with something you can handle and will make you happy! Buy a sketch book and some special pencils just for you(not the kids!!) or whatever other medium you prefer, and put aside 5 minutes a day, or 15 minutes a week(or more if you can)...sometime just for you to create. To get lost in it....and let us know when you do, and how it goes! Maybe you will inspire someone else!

      Delete
    2. Forgot to add link:
      http://www.whodoesshethinksheis.net/

      Delete
  3. I've heard so much about this movie that I feel a strong urge to see it. I sense that the film can be very inspiring even to non-artistic people as myself

    Miryam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is! Tell me when you want to come over to watch!!!!;)

      Delete
  4. your mother is right, if you were a sculptor you would capture mother and child as beautifully as Elizabeth did. All your art brings to life the depth and beauty of whatever it is that you are trying to reproduce/capture (whatever the term is in art language) IS this the movie you were once involved in years ago? Sounds like a must for everyone who needs to bring their inside talents, strengths and aspiration into their lives. keep inspiring us all selma

    ReplyDelete
  5. I came upon your blog when I was doing a search for women artists. I read some of your past blogs and found them helpful to me as well as my friends. Our small artist group would like to know how you promote yourself and your work. We find it so hard to let people know about our work. Do you have any ideas about that.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi! I am SO happy to hear my blog was helpful to you and your group. What kind of art do you do? Do you have a website? As for marketing. That is my biggest challenge! Making this website was number one on my list. Once you have a website (you can do it yourself, very low cost) you can market your work online through sites like- Facebook and LinkedIn. Its a great way to meet other artist as well. There are art competitions online all the time that you can enter. Some are free and some cost money. Just be careful cause some are scams....And, Last but not least-getting in touch with galleries and showing them your work.
    Good luck! and if you already have a FB page or website, I would love to see.
    Regards, Deena

    ReplyDelete
  7. Do not have a web page because I am just starting out. Nothing really to put on it yet. Do you think that there is a way to start a discussion going about how different people are able to "sell themselves". Is there someway to get a group of artists together on the web to discuss these issues and help one another. Joy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for sharing your post about Elizabeth Catlett and Celebrating Female Artists. I enjoyed watching the video. The story resonates with me.

    I am inspired by the statistic that the bulk of the population at the School of Visual Arts are women. This is also true where my daughter goes to art school. So, I have to believe that over time the representation in galleries, media and museums will be reflective of the same!

    May all our voices be heard!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a topic that's close to my heart... Thank you! Where are your contact details though?
    Feel free to visit my page ; how to

    ReplyDelete
  10. Awesome posts, Appreciate it!

    Here is my homepage: イザベルマラン ブーツ

    ReplyDelete