11 Empowering Goddesses

The Artdog Image of Interest

I found an infographic that seemed appropriate for rounding out my collection of Women's History Month miscellania: a collection of Eleven Empowering Goddesses, from Invaluable's "In Good Taste" blog. The article that goes along with it is quite informative, too.

Whether you choose to worship these deities or simply find them interesting, even inspiring symbols of some of the strengths found within women, I hope you'll enjoy the infographic.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Invaluable's "In Good Taste" blog, for this infographic.

How will women bring governmental change?

Once I started looking for inspirational thoughts from women about women and their place in the world, my problem quickly became deciding which ones I thought were most important to highlight in my remaining time and space.

Today's post features three quote-images from strong women (two from the past, one contemporary) whose names we should recognize. It might be well to consider their words as our dialogue unfolds in the changing political atmosphere of post-2018-midterms USA.

Unfortunately, a focus on diversity, whether in gender/identity, race, or ethnicity, seems to be increasingly concentrated within one particular partisan "corral."

That is, in itself, a problem. If we start assuming that only Democrats elect women (a severe overgeneralization, but it's a growing perception), what good does that do for the overall diversity of debate and philosophy of governance?

It remains to be seen how much an influx of women will change the tenor and focus of politics, whether in the aspirational directions Abzug envisioned or in other ways.

As far as I'm aware, only Nevada's legislature actually mirrors the demographics of the general population, and their new legislative session just opened a month ago. This is early days to see how they'll prioritize. Another state legislature to watch is that of Colorado.

Change may be afoot, but it's incremental. And change, by its very nature, is full of surprises.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Goalcast, for the image featuring Susan B. Anthony and her words; to Black Women's Journal for the Michelle Obama quote-image; and to the ever-invaluable AZ Quotes, for the Bella Abzug quote-image. I deeply appreciate all three!

Three voices from three centuries make an important point

The Artdog Quotes of the Week

Women's History Month is coming to an end soon. Perhaps it's time to make some evaluations, based on the words of strong women from history.

Do you feel well-represented?

How do you think today's political parties measure up, by this standard?

How well do you think our international agreements align with this principle?

These are three different women from three different time periods. But each reminds us that women matter enormously.

I do not believe we can settle for having our needs left unmet in the name of "not the right time," "strategic compromise," or some imagined "greater good" that does not include good for us.

How much of that have you seen in your own life?

IMAGES: Many thanks to AZ Quotes, for the words of Abigail Adams, to Nomadic Politics, for the quote from Susan B. Anthony, and to AZ Quotes once again, for the quote-image featuring the remarkable Afghan leader Fawzia Koofi. Many thanks to all!

Catcall and response

The Artdog Image(s) of Interest

Have you ever been walking down a city street, especially past a construction site, and heard somebody yell, "Hey, baby! Gimme a smile!" or similar stuff? If you've ever been a woman--particularly a young woman--you have. Guaranteed. Probably daily. (If you're a man, then probably not, and you may not see what's wrong with it).

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Stop Telling Women to Smile

While the occasional inexperienced country girl may mistake these catcalls for harmless flattery on first exposure, it soon becomes clear that the objectifying intent is neither harmless nor benign. Day after day, the merciless barrage can drag you down.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, My Name is not Baby 

It's recognized more properly as street harassment--and NO, women don't like it. But what can be done, right? Most of us just duck our heads and keep walking.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Harassing women does not prove your masculinity

Enter Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, and her "Stop Telling Women to Smile" public art campaign. All those things you so wish you could say to harassers? She says them. With large public art displays, right out there in the harassers' space on the streets.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Critiques on my Body are not Welcome

Fazlalizadeh has illustrated her messages with the faces of women she knows, women whose lives are impinged upon daily by these assaults. Her images empower all of us, not only her friends.

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Women are not Outside for your Entertainment

She speaks what all of us wish we could, in a way that few can mistake.

Which speak best for you? Please make comments below!

IMAGES: Many thanks to the Huffington Post, for the image at the top. Deepest gratitude to Katherine Brooks's  2017 Huffington Post article, "Public Art Project Addresses Gender-Based Street Harassment in a Big Way," for My name is not Baby, Critiques on my Body are not Welcome, and Women are not Outside for your Entertainment; and honor and props to  Tatyana Fazlalizadeh and her "Stop Telling Women to Smile" page, for Harassing women does not prove your masculinity. I plan to feature more of these posters in future Images of Interest.

Karen Ann Hollingsworth's enchanting fantasy artwork

My personal highlight of the Capricon 39 Art Show
I've written several posts about Capricon 39, this year's Chicago convention from Phandemonium. I wrote about assorted (weather-related) experiences, and about fellow panelists who are authors, but no group of posts from me about a convention would be complete without mentioning the art.

In this case, one amazing artist, whom I particularly associate with Capricon. Although Karen Ann Hollingsworth exhibits her work at many different sf conventions art fairs, and other exhibitions, and although she is an accomplished illustrator as well, I first met her when we were on a panel together at Capricon 38. That also was the largest collection of her art all in one place that I'd seen.

I was enchanted.

 I'm also beyond excited to share some of her gorgeous work with you in this space. I hope her visual magic will enchant you, too.

Imagine is Hollingsworth's "signature" work, because it embodies so many aspects of her art.

I asked Karen for permission to post some of her images here, and she not only gave me permission--she gave me stories for each piece. Here's what she said about Imagine:

"I must lead with my signature piece Imagine. It combines both [of] the ways I approach my work. The right side the way I work when I do illustrations and commissions and the left is done in the intuitive way I approach my fine art pieces. It also embodies the sense of magic and wonder I try to infuse in all my work.

"Most of my work is done in watercolor and colored pencil on hot press watercolor paper. The only time I involve the computer is when I scan the images in to make reproductions, for a client or for doing promotion."

Catnip Dreams by Karen Ann Hollingsworth

Karen wrote: "Catnip Dreams is an example of one of my private commissions. I got permission from the client to sell reproductions of this one of the three images I did for them."

Shades of Grey by Karen Ann Hollingsworth

Karen described the origins of Shades of Grey: "This is an example of one of my intuitive fine art images. I was experimenting with doing a black and white watercolor."

I not only saw the next piece at Capricon 39, I voted for it. 

Just a Dream? by Karen Ann Hollingsworth

"Just a Dream? is my very latest piece, winner of the Capricon 39 Artist Challenge," Karen wrote. Challenge artists had to "incorporate a goat (the convention’s mascot) and three of the following five items: an animal skull, a carnivorous plant, a kaiju, a strange/glowing egg, or a monster-hunting weapon" in their composition.

Coffee Dragon by Karen Ann Hollingsworth

"Green Tea Dragon is one of my most poplar images. This year I finally got around to finishing the series, with the Coffee and Hot Cocoa Dragons," Karen wrote. "I do like doing series. I don't always realize . . . till after I do something that it will become a series."

And speaking of series (she has created 7 or 8 series so far), here's an example of another:

Great Horned Owl by Karen Ann Hollingsworth

"I completed [this series] last fall. My owls," Karen wrote. "I started with the Screech Owl that I had been hearing outside my window at night. I didn't know what it was. When I found out and saw photos I had to draw one. More often I hear the Great Horned Owls. To my amazement they sound just like the owls in cartoons. It's always special hearing them. I don't find they sound spooky at all."

I told her I usually like to include links to pages where people can buy prints, but she is still rebuilding after website problems last year. "As far as buying reproductions or prints of my work the best way to do so is in person at the Art Fairs and conventions I participate in," she said. "People can contact me online via email if they know the image they want."

What's next for Karen? "At the moment I am hard at work prepping for my next Art show/convention. . . . I'll be in Kansas City, MO [March 29-31, 2019] showing and selling in the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live pavilion [Booth #1412] within Planet Comicon. 

"It's my 6th time doing Spectrum Fantastic Art Live, but [my] first at Planet Comicon. Not certain how my work is going to go over. I plan to have more updates on my website soon about some of the special products I will have at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live  / Planet Comicon."

Don't worry, Karen. If the Planet Comicon attendees have eyes, they'll love your artwork!

IMAGES: All images are © 2007-2019 by Karen Ann Hollingsworth. They are posted here with her express permission. Please do not re-post any of them without her permission! For prints or more information about purchasing her originals, please follow her blog to learn about the art shows where she'll be exhibiting and selling her work, or contact her directly. Unfortunately, she's currently having to rebuild her website. Perhaps you can buy her art there at a future date.

Entering the space that art creates

The Artdog Quote of the Week

For artists, our art is our voice. That may seem fundamental, but people forget it often.

Women in Art for Peace published this about today's quotable person: "Unni Askeland is a Norwegian artist. She studied at The National Academy of Fine Arts, Bergen, and The National Academy of Fine Arts, Oslo. Her art has transitioned from Munch-inspired painting to American-style photography-based serigraphy, Askeland creates work that intends to shock and challenge conceptions of the contemporary art world."

IMAGE: Many thanks to the Google+ page of Women in Art for Peace, for this quote-image, and the information about Unni Askeland.

7 facts illustrating the discrimination against women in science

The Artdog Image of Interest

Very few women in the world today have any question that gender-based discrimination exists. Everything from loud, in-your-face sexism or violent physical aggression to the softer forms of diminished expectations and subtle direction away from riskier, higher-profile, leadership, or more lucrative options.

We've all seen at least some of it, but we don't often see it diagrammed out. The focus here is science, but no field is immune. Imagine the expanded potential if women could achieve parity!

IMAGE: Many thanks to IS Global Barcelona Institute for Global Health, for this infographic.

Sweet greetings!

Happy Pi Day!

IMAGE: This mathematically delectable dessert was created by the PBS News Hour's Facebook friend and birthday girl Kay Sweet in 2015 (find out what was so special about Pi Day 2015). By now the pie's all gone, but we still can savor it in our hearts.

Honoring K9 veterans

Today is National K9 Veterans Day in the United States. It's an annual observance on March 13, the anniversary of the date in 1942, when the Army started training for its War Dog Program.

Go to Military Working Dog Adoptions for more information on giving one of these retired veterans a forever home.

This is the header for the National K9 Veterans Day Facebook Page, by graphic designer Chris Crawford.

Chris Crawford, the designer of the National K9 Veterans Day Facebook group's composite illustration, added these notes about her illustration:

"The dogs depicted are the Belgian Malinois, Doberman, mixed breed, Labrador, and Husky and, of course, the German Shepherd in silhouette at the bottom. 

The breeds are commonly used working dogs. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are the most common working breeds now and in the past. The Doberman was used extensively In WW2, particularly in the Marine Corps, and the Husky and other northern breeds were used to carry equipment and pull sleds in WW2 and during the Cold War. 

The mixed breed dog in the center is Stubby, of WWI fame, but he's representing all the mixed breeds and unusual breeds used by the armed forces and civilian agencies."

I thought I should finish off this post with my all-time favorite tribute to Military Working Dogs and their handlers, by Josh Tannehill. You've seen it on this blog before, but it bears re-posting!

Image created by Josh Tannehill.

These magnificent animals have no choice in whether they will defend our country and our troops--but they give the full measure of their devotion and provide an important force-multiplying factor. We owe it to them to honor them, and make sure they are well cared for throughout their lives.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Tails of a Foster Mom for the "Honor our Veterans" adoption poster-image, to the National K9 Veterans Day Facebook Page and graphic designer Chris Crawford, for the inspirational composite image with the silhouette, and I am deeply appreciative to Josh Tannehill for the "I am the Sheepdog" image. 

How to stay creative

The Artdog Quote of the Week

Angelou had good reason to know this truth. Like love, like generosity, like any attitude, discipline, or craft that you practice, the more you practice it, the richer your store.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Brain Pickings, via The Fox is Black, for this image and Maya Angelou quote, featuring artwork by Lisa Congdon.

Our history goes way back--but also forward

The Artdog Image of Interest

I love the vision implied in the illustration that is today's Image of Interest. Women's History Month calls us to look at our journey: where we have been, certainly. What we have done, and how we have made progress, most definitely.

But the arc of history is long, and it has not finished its trajectory. We build on gains our mothers made. Our mothers built upon the work of our grandmothers. The line goes back, and back, and back. But it also goes forward. God willing, to our daughters, and granddaughters, and on.

We strive for ourselves but also for them. What new stones will they lay, what new bridges will they build, and what new vistas will they explore? It's up to us to make sure they have the tools, the material, and the vision to keep moving forward.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Click! The Ongoing Feminist Revolution (some really good material on that site, for those interested!), a project of Clio Visualizing History. I hope you'll take a long look and explore both! Unfortunately, I couldn't find an illustrator credit.

Becoming Weird Sisters Publishing

Gigi Sherrell Norwood

Regular readers of this blog (if you are one, THANK YOU!!) may recall that I've published at least one guest-post by my sister, Gigi Sherrell Norwood (Orchestra Dreams). 

What you may not know is that she is herself a talented writer, and she's also the widow of science fiction writer Warren C. Norwood.

Yes, we're kind of a cottage industry all in the family (and that's not even counting the emerging editorial expertise of my son and frequent sf convention companion Tyrell Gephardt). 

It was perhaps inevitable that we'd do the writing/publishing equivalent of saying, "Hey! Let's put on a show!" (note: Gigi has a BFA in theatre).

The result is Weird Sisters Publishing LLC, a small press publishing enterprise registered (as of February) and operating out of Kansas. As you might guess from our name, Gigi's studies included an emphasis in Shakespeare. And, we must face it, we've never exactly been conventional. 

"Weird Sisters" just kind of fit.

We're starting our enterprise with my debut novel, What's Bred in the Bone, to be released in May, as well as an urban fantasy novella by Gigi, titled Deep Ellum Pawn, later in the summer. 

We hope to follow that soon with more of my XK9 novels, and six of the novels in Warren's catalogue, the rights to which have reverted to his estate (AKA Gigi). We plan new covers, and a full range of formats. 

Gigi also is in possession of two unpublished novels by Warren, and we are in pursuit of other titles whose ownership is less clear.

Gigi has several other novels in her backlist, not written in collaboration with Warren (she collaborated on some of the Time Police series with him, as did Mel Odom). 

We're not currently seeking submissions for Weird Sisters Publishing, but that might change in the future. We plan to focus on character-driven science fiction, urban fantasy, and related works.

IMAGES: Gigi provided the photo of herself. It is used with her permission. Cover art for What's Bred in the Bone is ©2019 by Jody A. Lee, and is used with her permission.

How quotes about women in the arts . . . mostly weren't.

The Artdog Quote(s) of the Week

In recognition of Women's History Month, I thought I'd focus on quotes about women in the arts as this month's theme.

Yeah, try Googling that phrase under "images." The quote that seemed to come back with just incredible frequency was this one:

Um, EXCUSE ME, but what does that have to do with Women in the Arts?

One image that came up near the top of the search results is a poster visible on the Tate website (but not available for reposting) about the very tongue-in-cheek "advantages" of being a woman artist in 1988. "Advantage" #1, "Working without the pressure of success," gives a taste of how the list is oriented.

Then compare a couple of other quotes that came up several times:

Okay, that's fairly hopeful, if dated, but then there's this:

Well, as they used to say, ain't that a kick in the head? I don't think either gender comes off looking too good, in Beecham's estimation. In the age of Harvey Weinstein, however, it's hard to say he was inaccurate about the existence of "unscrupulous men."

Number one that came up was from an article about conceptual artist Jenny Holzer, and it's not exactly a paean of optimism, either:

I . . . sorry. After spending a stimulating month of February reading engrossing fiction by women such as Becky Chambers, Diana Wynne Jones, Martha Wells, Jennifer Foehner Wells, and Nnedi Okorafor, and having recently delighted in the artwork of Simini Blocker, Karen Ann Hollingsworth, and Jody A. Lee, not to mention amazing new artwork being produced (but not yet posted online) by Lucy A. Synk, I actually felt pretty good about women in the arts.

I genuinely thought I'd find a more optimistic range of quotes. Frankly, sisters, we owe ourselves a better set of quotes. What's on offer is pathetic.

Are things perfect? No. Humans aren't, so human things won't be. But things don't have to be uniformly bleak. Women in ALL of the arts are doing amazing things. If no one else is talking about it, then we ought to begin.

IMAGES: The Helen Rowland quote about bachelors is from Quote HD. So is the Hedy Lamarr quote. The Thomas Beecham quote is courtesy of Quotefancy. The "Rules you live by" quote-image comes from a thoughtful essay by Lauren C. Byrd on her "Make Art History" blog.

Signs and signals of Jim Crow

The Artdog Image(s) of Interest 

All too many Americans can remember a time--not so long ago, and not so far away as to give us any comfort--when signs like these were posted to keep them out.

When public spaces like these were all too common.

When people accepted this as "normal." Even as "right."

Photo by Dorothea Lange, taken June, 1937 in Leland, Mississippi.

We live today in an era of rising white supremacy groups. They would tear down the all-too-fragile gains we've made for equity, civil rights, and justice for all.

We must be vigilant. We must call out hate and bigotry wherever we see it. We must not let this kind of intolerance rise again.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Tes Blendspace for the composite of segregationist signs; to Georgetown Law's article "The Jim Crow South," for both the Imperial Laundry sign and the photo of "white" and "black" water fountains; and to DayOnePatch for the "No Spanish or Mexicans" sign. I also appreciate WGCU (Ft. Myers, FL PBS & NPR) for the photo of the segregated Ft. Myers bus,  as well as an interesting interview with one of the Americans mentioned above, whose memories of the Jim Crow era are all too fresh; and the Wikimedia Commons for the 1937 Dorothea Lange photo of the Rex Theatre for Colored People in Leland, MS. For more such photos, visit the Library of Congress page on photos of signs enforcing racial discrimination.