I Have a Passion for Art and Education
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My Most Recient Work
Education is My Power
Conqueror
Strength in Beauty, Beauty in Strength
Halo of Emotion
She Crowns Herself
Historical Warrior Women
This series is about historical warrior women whose stories should be more well known. Their bravery, life accomplishments and tragedies make them not only compelling stories, but are important in the history of women who existed and had successful roles of leadership in a 'mans world'.
KhutulunMongolian Warrior
1260-1306 Khutulun or otherwise named “Ay Yaruq” which directly translates to Moonlight, was the great-great granddaughter of the infamous Genghis Khan. Khutulun had 14 brothers and became the most favored by her father. The great western explorer Marco Polo wrote about her. He described her as a great hawk that would pounce on its prey and then bring it back to her father, picking off men one at a time. Khutuluns father, Kadiu was the cousin of the Khan, and there was great civil wars between the families. He favored Khutulun and depended on her in battle and political situations, she accompanied him on every military campaign. Khutulun was known for her athleticism, marksmanship and military intellect. Khutulun insisted that she would not marry a man who could not defeat her in wrestling. It is said that Khutulun winning the cattle from failed would-be suitors, collected a herd numbering 10,000. She remained undefeated. Khutulun did end up getting married, mainly out of the respect for her father to end rumors made up by their enemies that they had an incestuous relationship. Because that’s the only reason a women would be unmarried? The identity of her husband varies. The most logical is that he was a loyal companion of her fathers. Kadiu tried to make Khutulun his successor before he died in 1301, but her male relatives refused his attempts. Khutulun guarded her father’s tomb after his death, and challenged her brothers who succeeded him. Khutulun died in 1306 and the events of her death are still unknown. She is thought to be the basis of a character in a western play called Turandot that was written in 1801. While in Mongolian culture Khutulun is remembered for her warrior prowess, Turandot is a proud women who eventually gives into the idea of love. Her legacy is known, her strength, physical power and loyalty to her father are what set her up as one of the most remarkable women of her time. |
BoudiccaAncient Celtic Warrior Queen
30-60AD Boudicca was the wife of the chief of the Iceni, the indigenous people of Brittan. They lived in Southeast England; present day Norfolk. The Iceni had a mutual trading relationship with the Romans who occupied Brittan as part of the growing Roman Empire. After her husband died, Boudicca became the leader and chief of her people. Like many tribal civilizations, women could inherit property, titles and roles of leadership. But in Roman society women had little to no rights, and were not allowed to inherit anything. But in Roman society women had little to no rights and were not allowed to inherit anything. Therefore according to Roman law all of her husband’s property would become part of the Roman Empire. When Boudicca refused to give up her inheritance and pay off the debts her husband had left, the Romans publically stripped her of her clothes and whipped her. And it is recorded that her two daughters were raped by Roman soldiers in ear shot of Boudicca. Rome would come to regret this. Boudicca gathered up other native tribes, which had never previously been done, and raised and army that gave Rome a run for it money. She burned every Roman occupied city, villa and town to the ground. There is a geographical layer of earth named the Boudicca layer. It records the scorched earth from her wrath. After sacking and burning two major Roman cities and successfully ambushing Roman troops, Rome began to take her seriously. When the Roman army's reinforcement finally met with Boudicca’s the Romans were greatly out numbered. Unfortunately the Romans had superior tactics and weaponry. The Iceni were simple farmers, and did not have the same tactics and weaponry. At the end of the battle it is estimated that almost 200,000 Brittans lost their lives in battle. Boudicca is said to have been one of the only survivors. Legend goes that she decided to take poison, dying on her own terms. Boudicca’s popularity grew in the Victorian era, and a statue of Boudicca was resurrected in honor of Queen Victoria by her husband Prince Albert. She is known as a great Celtic hero for her rebelliousness, strength and military intellect. Had Boudicca been successful in her rebellion against Rome, they would have had to withdrawal from Brittan, and perhaps could have changed the course of history. |
HatshephutThe Great Female Pharaoh of Egypt
1507-1458BC Hatshepsut was the first wife of Thutmose II and had one daughter with him. After a difficult birth Hatshepsut was unable to have any more children, and to create an heir Thutmose II took a second wife and had a son. When Thutmose II died his heir, Hatshepsut’s stepson was still an infant. Hatshepsut became regent waiting until her stepson grew up to become pharaoh. But she ultimately became pharaoh herself in his place. She convinced the high priests that she was part man, dressing as a man, and sometimes was depicted wearing the ceremonial beard of pharaoh. Many statues of Hatshepsut show her as a man. In ancient Egyptian culture pharaoh is not only a ruler but is also a god themselves. The ceremonial importance of clothing showed their power and importance. Hatshepsut claimed this power and divinity by dressing as a man. Hatshepsut reigned for 21 years, established trading routes that created great wealth for her people who erected many monuments of her. The most famous monument is the Temple of Hatshepsut which still stands today. Unfortunately, many statues and evidence of her were purposely destroyed and scratched of the walls from her predecessors. Ironically, many of the monuments, walls and pillars that she built were covered up in the intention to erase her from history, ultimately ended up protecting the original artwork and are some of the most well preserved pieces in Egypt. Some still have the original paint. Making her story and her life last through ages. She is still studied to this day by many students of antiquity and is known for her staggering success as a ruler. |
LOZENApache Warrior Woman and Shaman
1840-1889 Lozen was a female warrior and shaman of the Chihenne Chiricahua Apache tribe that was located in the Southern Plains of the United States; near todays New Mexico and Oklahoma area. During Lozen’s time many Native Americans were being forced to move to designated reservations. The United States government made the assumption that one desert is no different from another, ignoring the seemingly obvious fact that the Apache had lived and thrived in the Southern plain desert for generations, knowing the land its resources. In 1870 the Chihenne Apache were forcibly moved into deplorable conditions of the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona. Lozen with her brother Victorio, who was a great chief, gathered together other Chihenne forces left the reservation and began their campaign of marauding, raiding and evading military capture. Lozen was known for her aid in constantly evading enemy capture. She would go up into a high place, reach out her arms and pray in the four directions, turning slowly and would spiritually locate their enemies’ movements. She would then consult Victorio and they would always know where their enemy was. Victorio depended greatly on Lozen, and described her as “my right hand ... strong as a man, braver than most, and cunning in strategy. Lozen is a shield for her people”. One of the stories told about her is that she left Victorio’s band to help a mother and newborn across the desert and through U.S Calvary territory. Armed with only a rifle, knife and three day supply of food Lozen and the new mother went on the perilous trek. She stole a horse from a U.S Calvary camp in the night for the mother, and escaped a hail of gunfire to do so. When Lozen had safely delivered the women and her child she learned that without her, her brothers forces were ambushed and had been defeated. Victorio had died in the battle. Lozen, and other Apache joined forces for revenge and she famously fought alongside Geronimo in one of the last stands during the Apache Wars. In 1886, Geronimo and his forces surrendered to the U.S and they, including Lozen, were sent to live on the reservations in Florida and then Alabama. The Apache were not used to the climate change of their forced home, and many are said to have died of diseases such as diphtheria and tuberculosis. Lozen was one of many, she died in 1889 from tuberculosis. She is said to be buried in Alabama in an unmarked grave. Yet her story and legacy have continued to inspire others. Her bravery, spiritual power and effort to fight against oppression and becoming a shield for her people, lives on. |
Rudrama DeviFemale Monarch of India
1263-1289 Rani Rudrama Devi was the eldest daughter of Ganpathideva and became the first female monarch of the Kakatiya Dynasty after the death of her father in 1263. She ruled over the Deccan Plateau, the largest part of Southern India. She was 14 years old when she became queen. (Can you imagine ruling over a kingdom that’s 1/3 the size of the United States at 14?) She met great opposition from fellow aristocrats who did not approve the succession of a women to the throne. Rudrama Devi chose to recruit many people who were not aristocratic as warriors, granting them higher social standing, and rights over land tax revenue in return for their support. They became extremely loyal to her. This ultimately would protect her against many uprisings and foes. She was very successful in military campaigns in the beginning of her reign. She also dressed as a man and even took the male version of her name ‘Rudradeva’ after her coronation. She married a prince named Virabhadra, who historically had very little to no influence over Rudrama’s reign, she had two daughters with him. One of the most impressive and long lasting monuments she built was the Warangal Fort. Rudrama Devi died in battle or from her wounds in 1289. Rudrama Devi reigned for 26 years. She was succeeded by her grandson, Prataparudra or also known as Rudradeva II, whose reign would later be called a “Golden age”. Today Rudrama Devi’s story is still celebrated, many statues have been erected in her honor, and a movie was recently made about her in 2015. Rudrama Devi faced many impossible odds, and is one of the only successful female monarchs in India’s history, and is an impressive person in the history of women kind. |
S E N I O R S H O W
2016-17
Inner LightOil on Canvas
4X4.5 ft Inner Light
This piece’s origin started with the idea that we all, as human beings, have felt at one point or another in our lives, lost and in darkness. And when you look inward and reflect and find your peace and calm, you can shine, and break through that darkness. And by doing so you can be a beacon of light for others who might be lost in the darkness. Out of all the pieces in this particular collection she is the only one not carrying a physical weapon because her light is her weapon. She wears a crown to signify that she is anointed. Her cloak also is intended to resemble angel wings. Which is just a small hidden symbol of Christian themes. |
Walk In Peace, Take My HandOil on Canvas
4.5X7 ft Walk In Peace, Take My Hand
This piece is one I am particularly proud of, from its sheer size! Her size does not, happily, threaten or over power the viewers, but instead I have found it makes people feel more welcome to walk up to her and interact with her. Which is the intention. She is meant to reference when people go through struggles and trouble and trials in their lives there is always a point in that journey of wanting a release, solace, and a moment of peace. As well as someone reaching out to them to reassure them that they are not alone and can rest in the love and protection of her. The piece also, purposely, looks like stain glass because I loved the idea of light shining through her, bursting and causing awe and imagination. There are symbols of peace throughout the work, lilies, doves and her bare feet that show no fear treading forward. And although she is a manifestation of peace to me, she is carrying a sword and is in full armor. This to me is not threatening but shows the viewer that she can protect them and is ready to defend them, not harm them. |
I wasn't FinishedOil on Canvas
3x3.5ft I named this piece I Wasn't Finished because I view that the character is getting up after being beaten down, refusing to give up. The intention is the cause inspiration and awe of this women's resilience to give up on what she believes in. The battle dreamscape in the background and polarity of reds and blues is intended to suggest a contrast and a rift. Her armor is based in my research in Viking armor and unlike other western cultures, Vikings had female warriors they were called shield-maidens. That is why her armor is more feminine than the others, being that it was actually made for women, and not a women wearing traditional male armor. Another aspect to this piece is that I used my self as a reference to the face, so many people who know me ask if it is a self portrait, to which I reply, No, but it does have personal emotions with in it. I just used my own features for reference and found myself relating to the message of this piece personally. |
Raging FireOil on Canvas,
36x42in Raging Fire has a lot of elements with in the smallest canvas out of the five. Her holy flaming swords slaying beasts and demons, while being seemingly trapped in a dark cave. Yet the light from out side shines on her head as she screams a battle cry. The inspiration for this piece came from the Bible passage describing the armor of God and from wanting to show a more fantasy battle scene with alot of elements. |
Reflections, Past and PresentWatercolor on Paper
4.5x3ft This piece's intention was to tell a story of the woman, her past as a warrior and what battles she had fought and won and where she is now. The child is supposed to represent her future pulling her forward as she reflects. Another interpretation could read it as a cycle that the child will one day grow into the warrior as well. I chose to do this piece in water color because, not only the subject has water in it, but water to me is such a healing element and has in many cultures represented spiritual revival. The piece could be hung both ways, but this was the finial composition. |