International Womans Day 2008

Today I celebrate my good fortune of living in a country that endorses peace and equality for woman. Where I can live and create in a place of peace! I pray for those women less fortunate living in barbaric conditions facing oppression, forced to endure atrocities!

Canada's theme for 2008 is " Strong Woman, Strong World"

Empowered Woman secure a brighter future for everyone

This is a purse I made to commemorate International Woman's Day
I debuted it at Purse-onality, it was met with a few really nice compliments. Pepper scored me a huge canvas bag from a lingerie store, only because she went to great lengths admiring it. The incentive to purchase canvas bag was relinquished free when Pepper offered to buy it! Full of joy she presented it to me knowing it would be perfect to paint on. I painted over the company name with acrylics then coated it with flexible varnish. I put my regular purse inside of it, then when I need an extra bag I quickly remove my purse! It held a large amount of groceries.

This poem was written two years ago for INWD

I thought I'd repost it to go with my purse!

Mother, daughter, Sister, Lover

I am a woman, and I cry when no one can hear
I have huge dreams, I never share
I have fantasies, I dare not reveal
I have unrequited love, that is never recognized

I am the white noise in the home
Persistently preparing, repairing and doing at all times
I love deeply, with vision, constant hope, pride and joy
I have a relentless faith, in life, in god, in family, in future

I carry the burdens and secrets of others
Hold guilt to my heart, where empathy,
Forgiveness and optimism obstinately reside
Often suppressing passion, and creativity

I do my duties without fail, or resentment
I stand alone in my failures and regrets
I give, even when there is but a pittance
I get less, expect less, and take less, feeling like I am less

I am taken for granted, heard with rare acceptance
I am courageous, beyond my expectations
I am the unpaid teacher, waitress, homemaker, and psychologist
I am the solver of problems, and scarcely put first

I have thoughts, I feel ashamed to share
I have wants, I will never reveal
I have needs that no one will heed
I have a lonely soul, which I can not seem to feed

I am a woman, and I cry alone, about what isn’t
What will never be, what is lost, forgotten, not forgiven
Not recognized, or realized, or capitalized, I cry about
Poverty, and love forlorn, for loved ones, and love forgotten

I am a woman, resilient in majestic proportions,
I am a woman, of maternal magnificence
I am a woman, with imperial abilities
I am a unique woman, the queen of my family
And heart of my home!
The other side of my purse also altered has this poem modge podged over the heart, then again coated with varnish!

Altered Purse

Front of the purse painted silver.
I don't think the photo does it justice, in fact it looks like there are strokes and wrinkles where there aren't any.This is the finished altered black paten leather purse I did for the Purse-onality art show! I printed out one of my original digital illustrations, glued it on the purse then painted over it with acrylics. I softened the face to make it look more vulnerable by adding silver to the eyes. Then sealed it with modge podge. I may do a varnish tonight too!

This it the final stage back of the purse which I struggled with. I still prefer the front and yet the back really does represent who I am!

I started to stamp gold flowers on it in hope that I could improve it, still it was a disaster, so I continued on.

This was the original finished version, but it just didn't bode well with me, it seemed too plain.

The beginning stages, where the face looks hard and angry. My goal was to cover up the lettering and soften up the face.
I wrote a required blurb to accompany the purse!

I’m a passionate Woman in a magnificent romance with art! For years as a type “A” personality I rode the treadmill of life on high speed. Then I crashed! An illness, death, divorce, loads of grief, brought me to a pivotal change of lifestyle. Now, much slower, wiser and way more pensive, I fill my life with words, and newly discovered artistic talents driven by love and the spirit within! In retrospect I know there to be peace after pain! You just have to believe and face it!

The following poem, written and posted last year, was inspired by my digital illustration "Face it"

Just Face It

Just face it, you’re getting old

Embrace it, you’re wiser too

Just face it, time to shed the load

Embrace it, the young spirit in you

Just face it, you’re wearier now

Embrace it, there’s an artist inside

Just face it; you shan’t meet all desires

Embrace it; the new inspiration tide

Just face it, your bond is altered

Embrace it; memories inhabit your heart

Just face it, grief’s finally waned

Embrace it; feelings replaced by art

Just face it, you’re not the same

Embrace it, your generosity is past

Just face it; innovation’s required

Embrace it, creativity will last

Just face it; you may not have partner

Embrace it, peaceful time on your own

Just face it, the sacrifices have merit

Embrace it, prosperity of love known

Written by Happytiler