Thursday, November 12, 2009

I am a hero (Be A Voice Arts) EDITED with photos

Just a quickie tonight, I came across this website earlier which really connected with me. It is the story of a new mum, left for dead by the husband she loved. As well as trying to murder her, he slashed 94 of her paintings, her ways of expressing herself. He tried to silence "her voice"..!!

This is a bit of what she says. The full version is HERE

I am a hero (Be A Voice Arts): "Yet ultimately, I have the choice to remain a victim, and I have made the conscious decision not to curl up and live in fear. I have decided to spread my wings and live.
I want to use my gifts to speak out against domestic violence. I want to use my writing, painting, and speaking gifts to be a voice for women who are either afraid to speak out, get out, or those who are simply trapped by the helplessness and hopelessness of their circumstances. Like I plan to teach my five month old daughter, I want teenage girls and adult women to realize that domestic violence is not love. There is a different definition of love that many women are never taught or never exposed to, and they settle for something far less than perfect. I am working on an art project with my city to promote awareness of domestic violence. I am working on workshop ideas for shelter victims to use art as therapy to heal emotional wounds. I am ready to use my voice"

Her husband received 28 days in jail..Wtf..??

She is regaining her voice with an art show, combining new pieces with the original slashed paintings. She is putting a call out for ATC's with the theme..Be a Voice...As she receives them she is pinning them onto her wedding dress to create an interactive gallery piece. You can find more details and a submission form HERE. I think that what she is doing is extremely brave, and I feel that I want to be part of "her voice", as a mother, an artist and a woman..
*EDIT*I am going to send in some Atc's, but I was moved to do a tribute page in my Art Journal. I chose to go with Black and White using a lot of the Blonde Moments Suet Pudding range, and I can see this is going to be a favourite style for a long time to come.
Enjoy xx

9 comments:

Kirsti said...

OMG that is so inspirational... I will definitely have a go at an ATC... she is such a brave lady....Kirsti..x

Sandra Hall said...

Dy...not enough words to express the horror for people trapped in relationships like this... but what admiration I have for this woman who refuses to be a victim and has given herself to help others who are trapped... your pages are inspirational. x

Virginia said...

Thanks for the link Dyan will have a thorough read, what an amazing woman. Loving the journal page, there is something to be said about journaling in black and white it just gives that added dimension and really hits the eye - gorgeous page!

Laura (Faerielore) said...

This is amazin darling, so inpirational. I was in a bad relationship for 6 year and it wasnt till i moved on and found my now lovely husband that i realised how bad it was. I didnt have it a fraction as bad as some women have and its good to see someone sticking up for them. be a voice and be heard xxxxx

Cat said...

Wow - thank you for sharing this. Your Art Journal page is wonderful xx

Anonymous said...

Dylna, thanks for pointing this out - my first marriage was a horror of violence, and I am sending an ATC to participate in the project - what an amazing woman!

And - I LOVE your journal pages about your reaction to it.

Rhayne said...

What an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing.

Michelle Johnson Major said...

WOW! I am honored. Thank you so much foryour beautiful tribute page, Dyan. Thank you for the kind words, everyone. But even more importantly look at the dialogue that was started. Opening up about a past or present abuse is so theraputic. Domestic violence is a dirty secret--and once the secret is released, healing can begin!

RebeccaMom said...

gorgeous journal page!

Quote of the Century


"You are an extraordinary woman.


How can you expect anything ordinary to happen to you"


Louisa May Alcott