♥ FOR THE LOVE OF WOMEN ♥
Hi everybody!!!
I decided to continue writing another article on the previous topic I posted about. I realized that there are so many ways to create things and one of them could be through digital means.
A week after I arrived in Orgiva, Spain I started using this illustrator tool to work out these images in my mind. I came to the Alpujarras in the hope of connecting with women and tuning into possible healing mechanisms, fostering feminine bonds and then channeling ways to express those experiences.
Without a doubt Orgiva has a powerful drive and the #women who live in and around this area represent a pure force of nature.
I have met all kinds of women in Orgiva; #mothers, #teachers, #healers, #sisters and #messengers.
The city I lived in previously, Montreal (in Canada) was fueled with beaming, strong independent feminine energy. I have met so many daring female artists who push the boundaries of our social conditioning and believe there lies something positive for all of us to gain from.
I started making these small pieces because I felt that this topic was somewhat taboo in most societies. Female anatomy and our overall bodily functions was a contentious topic, this goes without saying that female sexuality is also tainted by a veil of misinformation and repression.
In search for another useful tool to maintain a steady flow of creativity I came upon the adobe illustrator, which is ideal when travelling. however, I do not have any extra gadgets such as the digital pen and pad or mouse, I solely use my touch pad and work around it.
Some of the pieces below are more explicit and touch upon those taboo subjects of #female #sexuality but I sense that normalizing these topics is also what we have to do. There is nothing shameful, socially unacceptable or morally incorrect in bring these drawings to the public. In my heart I wish to celebrate these beautiful, intricate facets of our womanhood, empower both men and women through it. By #normalizing female sexuality, men can also experience a relief from social constructs, free themselves from these rigid boarders of 'masculinity' and open their hearts. We have so much to learn from each other, and in order to do that we can no longer see each other as opposites, but rather as complementary. Like all symbolisms across the globe; yin + yand, yoni + lingam, the moon and the sun and so forth. We are both male and female to various degrees inside of us, therefore the possibility of us interchanging and complementing one another is a viable solution. More importantly, the most immanent and powerful tool at our disposal is tolerance and acceptance.
We can rid ourselves of suffering and move forward as stronger, more confident individuals, with our sexuality undisturbed and supported by a positive social structure.
My first illustration is a tame yet sophisticated orchid, which to me serves as a symbolism of femininity with the emphasis on the world "Flora", deriving from Roman mythology of the goddess of flowers and the overall complex plant life species.
FLORA
Poison Ivy
This second illustration is solely coming from a personal curiosity and intrigue of the Poison Ivy character. Women have been drawn to the myriad usage of plant medicine and have also suffered greatly because of it. Either being misunderstood and stigmatized as witches and vile, fearful creatures, while trying to tap into alternative healing tools. This is how my affinity to this character grew and I decided to make an illustration out of it.
This third illustration is quite self-explanatory or self-evident. The topic of menstruation is still controversial in many places around the world, even in the most open minded regions. Since my adolescence, I felt my #menstruation was also something I had to hide, hide from myself and those around me. This natural process in my body was somehow an occurrence that could not be exposed, it was unhygienic, embarrassing and needed to remain hidden. Until I switched to this moon cup method I never even saw what my body was expelling. So until recently, and with the aid of the women that crossed paths with me, I had never understood my body and much less viewed it as a magical temple.
So I switched to this moon cup method, understood what came out of my body, how I felt before, during and after my menstruation and most importantly, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I am also interested in trying to dedicate one month to a natural experience of menstruation. Without using any device to withhold my flow, I would be intrigued in experiencing a cycle of menstruation, the first 2-3 days and understanding what my body is creating. I live next to a river and my house is in a remote, natural setting so this would allow me to experience this and share it afterwards.
We can create a dialogue between women and men so as to liberate ourselves and view our bodily functions as these incredibly beautiful mechanisms of creating LIFE.
Blue Moon
My last two pieces are more playful and touching upon the humour side of female sexuality. They are to be taken lightly while working with this notion of breaking the overly sexualized view of women.
The last piece is definitely more 'provoking' if you will, but there isn't any need to shy away from female sexuality and hence our emancipation through it.
Watering Plants
Water Woman
We can celebrate ourselves in all our glory ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I would love to see this type of exchange being share!
I am open to reading any one of your stories and connecting, helping and liberating each other.
Much love
Bagheera
♥
Yep lets talk about female sexuality here on Steemit. I love the simplicity in your art. They are very clear and your interpretation is exactly what I see. I'm not sure I know you but also live in the area and am doing lots of art projects, mostly performance based, with women about women.
well hello to you!! I am humbled for the way you chose to write about the pieces I've put up, it really means a lot to me. At first I felt a bit unsure if my article would reach out to the first people, but I was patient ;) Maybe we will be able to connect here where we live. Birds of a feather flock together hehe <3 So I am open to meeting you!
Wow!
You have an amazing talent coupled with a strong understanding of who you are and what you feel.
I know you will find your following on steemit, and I hope you stay interested long enough to build up that following.
Steemit needs women like you!
Stay strong!
That's exactly it! I am trying to open up some subjects dear to me in the hopes of creating some opening and potential bonds. Thank you for your words and understanding, sending lots of strength and power your way! See you very soon Mark xxx
You are a very talented artist and convey your thoughts and feelings so well through imagery. I am very ready for the dialogue about women's bodies and sexuality to begin. So much shame can manifest about our natural existence simply by silencing the dialogue and keeping everything hidden away. My g/b twins are only 8 months old and I already use proper words when refering to genitalia. The older generations use "fluffy" words like hoo-ha, wee-wee and the likes. I always respond by saying, "It's ok to say vagina and penis because that is what they are! Plus, I don't really want to re-teach my kids proper vocabulary so let's just teach them properly from the beginning!" I have also heard that teaching children to properly identify their body parts can help prevent molestation because it's a turn-off to predators. And if a child is molested they are more likely to tell an adult they trust when talking about their body is normal behavior. Thanks for sharing your fantastic thoughts. I am happy to be part of the dialogue. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. Would also enjoy hearing about your experience menstruating sans products. Cheers, Aimee
these are beauitful and I for one welcome the opportunity to talk openly about our sexuality and our amazing bodies. So many woman are unaware of the power we hold in our bodies and are disconnected through shame and misunderstanding. You really would have liked my friend Colette she created cunt craft something that I started to facilitate here as well. It is so important for women to come together and talk, to create safe space and be open. I would be up for creating something like that again with you, if you are interested.
I'm also part of teamgirlpowa, a community that supports woman here on steemit. You should check it out, there is a link at the end of my posts. Thanks so much for putting this post together, resteemed xx
Ohhh yes I heard much about Colette, she seemed to be a very strong, relentless woman, my heartfelt condolences to you and those close to her. But her spirit still lingers in the air and the power we get from the women that cross our path never, ever goes away. Therefore....LET'S GET TO IT. Let's write, let's share and create a safe and trustworthy space between us women to then include men and have a harmonious balance of understanding and compassion. Both men and women need this.
I will check out this 'teamgirlpowa' you mentioned! Thank you! And just so you know, I am very willing to make this VISIBLE so you can count me IN. Lots of love your way <3 (my facebook: Ba Gheera) Link me xxx
Great, start growing together!!
Peace and love
Yes yes yes!!! PEace and love to you!! xxx
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