Tag: feminism

PURRsist! – “So Many Stories to Tell” Art Challenge.

cat drawing nevertheless she persisted by Artist BZTATFor an artistic challenge, I am making a series of drawings throughout the month of January, each telling a story, or capturing a moment that has been part of my story. I am calling this my “So Many Stories to Tell” Art Challenge.

Today’s drawing features my purr-sistant cat Ellie, AKA Little Schtuffs, again. She is joining me in spirit for the Women’s March 2020 on Saturday, January 18, rising up for the rights of women in solidarity across the world. I will be marching in my city of Canton, OH. You can find a march near you here.

Each of my “So Many Stories to Tell” Art Challenge drawings will be placed for auction here on my blog.  You can follow each day’s drawing by by subscribing to my my blog or by following my posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Minimum bids will be low – you just might get a great artwork for a bargain!

Thanks for following along all month and for bidding on the drawings!

By the way, let me know what you would like to see me draw the rest of the month in the comments below. I am open to suggestions!

Here is the info about today’s drawing if you’d like to make a bid:

5″ x 7″ Prismacolor Pencil Drawing by artist BZTAT 

Comes with a matt ready for a 8X10″ frame.

Leave bids in increments of $5 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $25 USD

Shipping: $5 USA $15 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy this piece now for $35 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and I will send you an invoice via Paypal which can be paid with a credit card or with PayPal.

Highest bid at 10:00 pm EST on Saturday, 1/18/2020 wins the piece.

Winning bidder: I will send an invoice via Paypal to the winning bidder which can be paid with a credit card or with PayPal.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for USA shipping.

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

Nevertheless, she PURRsisted – “So Many Stories to Tell” Art Challenge

This auction has concluded.

cat drawing nevertheless she persisted by Artist BZTAT

For an artistic challenge, I am making a series of drawings throughout the month of January, each telling a story, or capturing a moment that has been part of my story. I am calling this my “So Many Stories to Tell” Art Challenge.

Today’s drawing adds a feline vibe to a very important part of my story – feminism. I think it is relevant to connect the derisive “Crazy Cat Lady” stereotype to feminism, because the stereotype reflects a very common, negative assumption about women’s role in society.

The “Crazy Cat Lady” trope implies that a woman who has not made sexual relationships with men the main priority of her life has something wrong with her. According to the myth, the “Crazy Cat Lady” settles for the company of felines and devolves into a social reject because she “can’t get a man”. 

Never mind that many women who seek the company of cats also have satisfying relationships with men. And never mind that women who do not seek male companionship have much to offer society besides their sexual availability to men.

Despite major advances for women in society, the general assumption is still that women are here for men’s purposes, and if they seek to satisfy their own purposes, there is something wrong with them.

My cat Ellie, AKA Little Schtuffs, and I would like to bury that notion in her litter box.

In this drawing, Ellie draws upon that classic moment of a man attempting to put a woman in her place, when Senate Leader Mitch McConnell tried to silence Senator Elizabeth Warren with the words, “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted,” and gave her an official senate warning.

McConnell may have succeeded in silencing her in that moment, but his words gave rise to a battle cry for women across the United States, and indeed, across the world. Stay tuned to see how that ultimately works out for him.

Each of my “So Many Stories to Tell” Art Challenge drawings will be placed for auction here on my blog.  You can follow each day’s drawing by by subscribing to my my blog or by following my posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Minimum bids will be low – you just might get a great artwork for a bargain!

Thanks for following along all month and for bidding on the drawings!

By the way, let me know what you would like to see me draw the rest of the month in the comments below. I am open to suggestions!

Here is the info about today’s drawing if you’d like to make a bid:

5″ x 7″ Prismacolor Pencil Drawing by artist BZTAT 

Comes with a matt ready for a 8X10″ frame.

Leave bids in increments of $5 below in the comments section.

Minimum Bid $25 USD

Shipping: $5 USA $15 International

BUY NOW OPTION: You can buy this piece now for $35 as long as no bids have been made in the comments below. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and I will send you an invoice via Paypal which can be paid with a credit card or with PayPal.

Highest bid at 10:00 pm EST on Friday, 1/10/2020 wins the piece.

Winning bidder: I will send an invoice via Paypal to the winning bidder which can be paid with a credit card or with PayPal.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for USA shipping.

Life is an Adventure!

BZTAT

 

Taking power is an art.

Artist BZTAT Self Portrait
“Self Portrait” by BZTAT

“The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.” ~Roseanne Barr

To have power is to have impact.

Although society is changing, I sometimes feel as though women are still discouraged from having both power and impact.

Being discouraged from something does not preclude it from happening, though. It does make it a bigger challenge.

I have taken power in my life by pushing my way through doors that did not necessarily want my entry. I have annoyed and dismayed people in powerful positions, and I have caused them discomfort.

Was that because I was a woman or was it just me being a relentless pest?

I expect that varying perspectives could be shared in answer to that question.

I honestly don’t care which answer fits. I have accomplished things, and I make no apologies for it.

I know that, had I not pushed, I would have accomplished nothing, and that would have been unacceptable.

Men have been politely asked to enter the same doors that I have had to push my way into. They did not annoy and dismay folks in the same way that I did. But then, I am not sure that they had a lot of impact either.

Women often have to work harder to obtain and maximize the same opportunities available to men. But through their diligence and tenacity, women also can push change in ways that those who have had it easier cannot do.

I cannot say that I have mastered the art of taking power. But I have thrown paint at the canvas a few times. And I have pushed positive change, whether people liked it or not.

And I have made an impact.

Have you?