Winter in Full Swing

 

Self-portrait from an ongoing photography series.

Inspiration From Jim Henson

“I believe that life is basically a process of growth – that we go through many lives, choosing situations and problems that we will learn through” ~ Jim Henson

CALL FOR ART AND SUBMISSIONS TO A ZINE PROJECT HONOURING WOMEN

 “The heart is a muscle the size of a fist, keep loving, keep fighting”

This project aims to explore our love and respect for women, our recognition of their resilience, strength, struggles and power. It works to combat gendered violence and sexism by celebrating, reinforcing and acknowledging the inherent value, resilience, struggles, and strength of the women we know, and the women you know.

We live in a society where it is easy to witness and experience both subtle and blatant sexism everyday. However, we can go days without someone calling out and recognizing women’s strength or resilience. While it is important to be aware of gendered violence and sexism, it is just as important to recognize the fierce hope, strength and beauty of the women we know, and honour them. This art project is a call to respond against sexism, violence, and hate that women experience across Canada, and elsewhere. While women are often pieced apart and objectified, this project will work to celebrate women as whole, bringing the pieces together.

It is essential to clarify that our use of the word "women" includes all those who identify as a woman and to acknowledge all the differences within that term. We envision this project to display and foster those differences and not essentialize the identity of "women".

We hope to receive a wide array of submissions, including drawings, paintings, photography, graphic novels, stories, poems, memoirs, journal entries, conversations, letters, and many, many, more.

All submissions will be scaled down to an 8.5 x 5.5” format, but may take up more than one page. Please take this into consideration when submitting. All submissions must fit within the themes of the zine – pieces that explore our admiration and respect for women, our recognition of their resilience, strengths, struggles, and power, as well as pieces that tell stories of, or work against sexism, misogyny, and violence.

Descriptions or recordings of performance pieces are also encouraged for consideration at the Zine launch party and exhibit.


Please e-mail submissions to:

honouringwomenzine@gmail.com, along with one or two sentences about yourself.


Submission Deadline: January 25th, 2013

Snuggled and Hugged

My first pair of Mukluks, one of the best presents I’ve ever received.

Everything Melts

 

I believe I’m known for celebrating and enjoying Christmas and most holidays with childlike enthusiasm. But, for the month of December I was not myself. I was frustrated, sad, tired, uninspired, annoyed and sometimes angry. I didn’t decorate or listen to my favorite Christmas music (something I do that at anytime of the year to cheer myself up).

I love giving gifts and wrapping presents. I usually spend a lot of time thinking about what to get. Something meaningful, useful and that they wouldn’t get themselves. This year I felt overwhelmed and clueless when I went out. If it wasn’t for my husband no one would have received anything.

I really didn’t want to participate in any of the holiday traditions. I didn’t feel loving at all.

New Year’s Eve morning I couldn’t sleep and gave up trying at 4am. I decided to end the year by writing down the highlights of each month in 2012. Whatever came to mind.

January 2012 had nothing written next to it except for being the most difficult month of my life. February and March were passed by but slowly as I thought about the spring and summer I could identify the positive things that happened to me and that I achieved.

This past year has probably been very character building for me but I worry about the kind of characteristics I’ve taken on.

Happy Christmas from the worst blogger ever… and a Merry New Year