me with my painting, "In My Aura" at AyrSpace in Ayr, Ont.
Today is the big day, the centenary of International Women's Day. It's a big deal. Several of the women in the aura of my painting lived in a time when women not only did not have the same rights as men, but actually were not quite considered human. Some of the women in this piece lived when women in Canada fought for and finally got the right to vote and to have their voices heard (most provinces by 1919, Quebec not until 1940). Did you know in many countries International Women's Day is a statutory holiday? I just found that out. Although I am fortunate to live in a country where, for the most part, women and men are relatively equal, there are many places in the world where there is much work to be done. Although I could allow myself to become very sad and discouraged that this is the case, today I am choosing to feel hopeful that change can happen and I want to believe that it is never too late.
I painted today, so I will have a new painting to show very soon. Thank you to everyone who has been emailing, phoning and commenting in regards to the yesterday's newspaper story.
10 comments:
Oh....look at our Nicki... you are absolutely glowing! I've always known you were a pretty gal but here, beaming with pride and confidence, you are absolutely beautiful.
I'll enthusiastically second Sheila's comment.
I'm glad your painting was at the right level to take a photo with. I don't know if you'd have looked this elegant on a ladder or laying on the floor. :-)
Welcome back to the studio. I look forward to seeing what comes from you after taking part in such an inspiring exhibition.
-Don
Sheila, you are too kind and you are making me blush!
Hi Don,
You, on the other hand, are making me laugh! Ha! I definitely would not have looked elegant in any other position... I'm not even sure I look elegant when I am completely vertical, but I will take a compliment whenever I can get it, so thank you! :0)
Hi Nicki,
Your painting is so gorgeous, and your thoughts on this day echo many women's thoughts. It is painful listening to the stories of women around the world and hearing what they are living through. It's equally startling here in Toronto to hear how so many young women suffer restrictive practices right here in Canada. But...I choose to rejoice in the gains we've made as women in the past 100 years. My grandmothers could not have envisioned the freedom we have.
Hurray for you!
XOBarbara
Hi Barbara,
Yes, everything you say is true. In fact there are still very unsettling things that happen within Canada, large and small. But we are moving forward and that is the good news.
Nicki
Hi Nicki
This is a wonderful post and I enjoyed so much meeting you last weekend!
It’s interesting, as you point out, that suffrage for women in Quebec didn’t happen until 1940. But it makes me think that Quebecois women have certainly made up for it since. They played a huge, very significant role in the seperatist movement - right now the leader of Le Parti québécois is a woman – Pauline Maurois who also held a cabinet position when that party was in power. And quebec leads with the most progressive, accessible day care in Canada!
What a great moment for us to have you and your portrait together!
Jill
I am so happy I was able to attend. It is sure to be the highlight of my year!
Nicki
you are so beautiful! congratulations and thank you so much!
You are so sweet! I missed you there and you're welcome!
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