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| I photographed these oranges this week to prep for a photo series I am preparing on beautiful food. |
The theme of the painting above, "Courage doesn't always roar" comes from the poet Mary Anne Radmacher who states:
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.
When I was in high school, my best friend and I used to listen to PJ Harvey, Sleeter Kinny, Le Tigre, and Bikini Kill. If you have ever heard any of these bands, you know they are lead by very beautiful, outspoken women. They play their guitars and sing about justice, feminism, and sometimes even jump rope (Kathleen Hanna, you are amazing). My 18 year old self always thought these women were the portraits of courage.
I loved their powerful messages and would rock out with Rachel in my 1995 Honda Civic with their music blaring out of my car speakers. These women were my courage role models.
As I have matured into my twenties, I have learned that for me courage does not have to be that loud. I was never that outspoken as a teenager or in my early twenties. I just liked to hang out with my friends, drink good coffee, go thrift store shopping, and make fun art. The portrait of courage in my mid-late twenties looks more like me hitting the publish button on this blog entry, e-mailing artists whose work I appreciate, wearing a scarf that barely goes with my outfit but fits my mood, telling my boss no, becoming alright with a second c-section, allowing myself to fail after taking a risk, etc. All those words are verbs. Courage DOES!
When I was 18, courage roared. At age 30, Courage acts outloud!
What does courage look like in your life?
2 comments:
I really like that piece, Julie. And the story behind it. I too, am learning that courage doesn't have to look big & loud.
Love it and the message and those oranges look wonderful! Thanks for stopping by my blog - happy weekend! xxx
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