My Thoughts On Feminism

Key Takeaways:

• We owe it to the women suffering to at least acknowledge their pain.

• Although there is so much more than just gender playing a part in the imbalance of human rights - including race, sexuality, resources, etc. - it is simply one way to focus our efforts.

• As we expand our definitions of what “gender” means, it’s important to know that feminism is inclusive of every gender in the fight for human rights.

• The first wave of feminist art came about during a time when women weren't allowed to vote or own property.

• Today, there are women in America fighting for their right to safe abortion and women in Iran fighting for bodily autonomy and their right to education.

Being a Woman

Today, women have achieved professional careers and public recognition in many countries worldwide. However, as I write this, there are women in America fighting for their right to safe abortion. There are women in Iran losing their lives because they stood up for their right to bodily autonomy. In Iran and other parts of the world, many young girls still aren’t allowed to go to school.

In Canada, we often see educated women with a few kids and a career. We don’t see the severe issue of domestic violence (DV) and enough safe shelters for DV victims. We don’t see appropriate amounts of time off work for full-time mothers and we don’t see equal pay. Although there is so much more than just gender playing a part in the imbalance of human rights, (race, sexuality, resources, etc.), it is simply one way to focus our efforts.

Why Feminism Matters

Everything I have mentioned above is about control. Control over women’s minds, bodies, emotions, children, and finances. Feminism is simply this: the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. Feminism is about equal human rights. As we expand our definitions of what “gender” means, it’s important to know that feminism is inclusive of every gender in the fight for human rights.

Are You Uncomfortable?

If the phrase “I am a feminist” bothers you, ask yourself why. Who reacted negatively to you when you said the word feminist? What was your first experience with feminism? Was it negative or positive? Who taught you about gender equality and human rights?

There is no reason to be against the feminist movement unless you are currently benefitting from the power imbalance. Any compassionate person will be open to the totally insane idea that corrupt men should not hold power over women’s bodies, education, or finances. I would argue that some women pronounce “I would never be a feminist!” as a way of people pleasing, disconnecting, or simply avoiding feeling uncomfortable. To those women, one of my former friends included, I say wake the f*ck up and get uncomfortable. We owe it to the women suffering to at least acknowledge their pain.

The Feminist Art Movement

Remember the first feminist art movement of the 1970s? Neither does anyone else. This is surprisingly convenient because it is one of the most important developments in American art history.

Women artists have always been a small subset of artists. The only thing easier than ignoring their work was to ignore women altogether. Many men see feminism as a threat to male privilege and power. This was true in America before the 1970s and it appears to still be true today.

Unlike Surrealism or Abstract Expressionism, there is no central organization or brand that defines feminism in a visual way. It’s simply an attitude developed toward living a life designed to please everyone but ourselves.

Not Allowed To Own Property

The first wave of feminist art came about during a time when women weren't allowed to vote or own property. A few decades ago, women were on the front lines demanding equal rights and redefining gender roles. They were artists who challenged negative stereotypes about women’s roles in society and made new work about their own lives, experiences, and identities. In doing so, they paved the way for generations of contemporary women artists today.

History In The Making

To the generations of women who came before me: I am forever grateful.

The Feminist art movement of the 1970s and 80s was a time when women artists were challenging negative stereotypes about women’s roles in society, making new work about their own lives, experiences, and identities. They were making work about the female experience, or rather – from the perspective of being a woman.

They did so by challenging traditional notions of femininity while at the same time creating beautiful and powerful pieces that reveal an emotional depth rarely seen in art before then.

We are seeing a new wave of activists and artists standing up for their right to make decisions about their own bodies, finances, families, and more. We don’t need to agree on how or what to change right away, but agreeing that change needs to happen is a great place to start.

My 5-Star Photoshoot Experience

Photography By Ashley Gyabeng, Rich Chroma

I’m sure there is supposed to be a long process for preparing for a photoshoot. I imagine it would involve working out, keeping hydrated, getting your nails done, eyebrows waxed, having your hair styled, and wearing something cute that has been freshly washed. This is probably what the process would look like for someone who knew they were doing a photoshoot.

Here’s how I did it…

Preparing For a Photoshoot My Way

My preparation process looked a little different. First, I had been up all night enjoying a Lil Nas X concert in Toronto at the Echo Beach RBC Stage. It was a truly amazing performance! When I tried to go to sleep that night, the fire alarm in my brother’s downtown Toronto condo went off. The fire department arrived and the situation was declared a non-emergency around 4 am. It’s safe to say I had dark bags under my eyes the next morning (the day of the photoshoot).

I prepared for the day based on my original plans of vegging out with my dog and watching my current binge-worthy Netflix show: Queen Of The South. So, according to my own plan, I bought myself a breakfast sandwich and a big smoothie. Who cares if you’re a little bloated while having a chill Netflix day? Unless, of course, it turns into a photo shoot day instead.

Luckily, I did have a cute outfit to wear.

It was a denim jumper with shorts and I wore a black bralette underneath. I also happened to have some make-up with me, thank God. The thing about this outfit is that I had been wearing it for 3 days straight. My one-night visit with my brother turned into a weekend hangout and I simply didn’t pack for that.

I’m Not A Model

Ashley is a professional photographer known for her Boudoir Photography and Lifestyle Photography. This past Saturday, two of her models had family emergencies and couldn’t make it to their photoshoot. Ashley had another photographer with her (Carl Harper, Lifestyle & Wedding Photographer) and they had all of their equipment set up and the room ready for a day of photoshoots. To my surprise, I received a message from Ashley on Saturday morning asking me if I would be interested in taking one of the model’s spots. It would be a perfect collaboration: Ashley could use the images for promoting her photography business and I would have some cool lifestyle content to post on my website and Instagram account.

Before I tell you about the whole experience, you should know I am not a model.

At first, the idea of signing up for a photoshoot made me feel like I was getting my school picture taken. I felt a little awkward and I remember thinking: “Am I good-looking enough to model?”, “What do I wear?” How do I stand?” and so on. I recognized these thoughts for the unhelpful thoughts they were and decided to boost myself up with positive self-talk instead.

I reminded myself that anyone without modeling experience would be a little nervous. It’s completely natural to feel unsure about something when it’s your first time doing it. I also reminded myself that this is going to be a fun way to reunite with my friend and enjoy the time together.

The Benefits Of Having Creative Friends

Ashley has been my friend for several years and I have always been blown away by her talent. Her photography and editing skills are mind-blowing to me! On top of her amazing technical ability, she is very genuine and easy to work with. Ashley makes you feel at ease in front of the camera. There were so many moments when I wasn’t sure how to pose or I felt a little awkward. During those moments, she lifted the energy in the room by suggesting fun poses for me to try and showing me how cool the pictures turned out by using the digital screen on her professional camera.

A few days ago, I asked Ashley if she would be interested in being my art photographer.

When it comes to making prints, stickers, and merchandise, you really need to know your way around a camera. Maybe one day I’ll learn how to take pictures of my own work, but this week I thought: “Today is not the day.” Realistically, I need all the time I can get to paint and explore new ideas. Sometimes it pays to outsource some of the creative work even if you are a creative type.

Note: The other model in the photo is Nikki and you can click here to see her Instagram.

The Whole Experience

You already know about my very extensive preparation, but what happened once I got there? Well, let’s start here: I didn’t have a puppy sitter available for the full day, so I brought my very energetic full-grown standard golden doodle with me to the shoot. I opened the door to a beautiful loft re-designed to be an extravagant set (see pictures) and my lovely dog, Olive, ran across the room nearly knocking over the expensive camera and tripod. I should point out that I always make great first impressions (LOL).

Ashley had prepared a rack of clothes to choose from. This made the whole experience feel even more real and professional. I picked out two outfits: one included a flowy pink skirt and the other looked like Wednesday’s dress from The Adam’s Family. Once I tried on the outfits, I started to feel more confident in my ability to pull this off.

Nikki arrived 30 minutes after I did. She picked out her outfits and we started to get ready for the first indoor shoot. Carl took his pictures of each of us and then we did some poses together. Ashley took her turn with her own camera as well. While waiting between shoots, I nibbled on grapes and berries that were laid out beautifully on the counter for everyone to enjoy. I felt pampered.

Next, we changed into our second outfits and drove together to the next location. This would be an outdoor shoot slightly off of a hiking trail, next to a creek. We sprayed bug spray and got to work. Carl set up his camera and took really cool pictures of us at this very scenic location. The clouds in the sky were creating an amazing contrast against the greenery.

Our third location was a bit further down on the same trail. We stopped under a bridge where the lighting became very dramatic with the sunset. I wore the Wednesday Adams dress for this part and tried to act the part.

When it got too dark to see our equipment, we wrapped up for the day and headed back to Ashley’s apartment to change back into our everyday clothes. Although I was there for 6 hours, the time flew by.

If you have the opportunity to be in a photoshoot, go for it!

I was surprised at how fun a photo shoot can be, especially with friends. If you have the opportunity to be in a photoshoot, go for it! If not, make sure you’re always on the lookout for ways to get involved. You never know when an opportunity may present itself.

There are plenty of reasons why you should participate in photo shoots:

• You can get paid or you can collaborate with a photographer like I did.

• It could help your career and bring you more exposure.

• You might even end up being featured in an industry magazine or on another website! I think it’s important for everyone who wants their voice heard to get out of their shell as much as they can.

How To Book Your First Photoshoot

Are you interested in booking a photoshoot? It’s as simple as contacting a photographer that you like either through their website or social media. Instagram is an amazing place to find creative people in any industry. It’s a great way to check out portfolios as well. When you’re searching for the right photographer to work with, consider what your photoshoot is for. For example, if you want to do a Budoir shoot, don’t go with a landscape photographer!

Why do you want to get your picture taken?

Even if it’s just for fun, having pictures of yourself to capture this moment in your life is a great idea. Get them framed and look back on that cool experience you had!

Mixed Media Art Ideas

Image: Mixed Media Drawing by Monica

There are so many ways to incorporate drawing into your mixed media art. Here are just a few ideas that might inspire you…

Use collage elements and add drawings to them

Collage is a great way to create decorative pieces, but it’s also a fun technique for adding dimension and texture to your drawings. The best part about this process is that there are no real rules. You can use any materials you want—from magazine clippings to scraps of fabric, from glitter and sequins (as seen in the image above) to buttons and beads, from paper clips to feathers —and make them all work together in harmony on your piece.

To add more visual interest, try varying the shapes and sizes of the pieces you choose for your collage elements as well as different types of glues—glue sticks work well because they are easy to apply with an applicator tip, but if you prefer something messier then try using liquid glue or even Elmer's school glue!

Practice simple drawing exercises

Draw from a photograph. Find a photo that you love, or take one yourself. Practice drawing the subject until you feel confident in your ability to capture the essence of what you see.

• Sketch from life. Take a walk and observe your surroundings, then come home and sketch what you saw using graphite pencils or charcoal sticks on paper or canvas board.

• Create your own art journal pages with words, shapes, and textures using collage materials like fabric scraps, magazine clippings, and envelopes filled with sand (or something else). This is also known as "found object collages" which is our next topic!

Lay down a base of paint then draw on top

When creating a mixed media piece, you can use paint to create a base for your drawings. Lay down a layer of paint with a large brush and then draw on top. If you get too much paint on the paper, don't worry! Just keep layering until it looks like you want it to look.

Make your own paper & use it as a background

Make your own patterned paper. This can be as simple as taking a piece of blank copy paper and cutting it into strips, or you can get fancy and use stencils, stamps, or a variety of other techniques to create the design you want.

• Once you have your paper made, use it in one of the following ways:

• Left plain for a background for an art journal page

• Collaged with other papers onto another surface (like a canvas) to create a mixed media piece or painting

Try using different materials such as fabric

Use a variety of different materials. You don't have to limit yourself to just one type of material; experiment with others! Try paper, found objects, fabric, and other various things you might have lying around the house.

• Use different types of paint. If you're trying to achieve a specific look, then use the appropriate medium for your artistic vision (oil paints for paintings that appear realistic and acrylics for ones that utilize bold colors). If not, then any paint will do!

• Use different types of brushes and pencils as well as pens and ink. A nice brush will make it easier when painting small details while using ink can give your artwork a bolder appearance without adding too much color onto your art piece at once – just make sure there is enough space between them so they don't bleed together too much or else all those beautiful hues turn into an unreadable mess!

Make art every day!

Making art should be part of your daily routine. If you make it a habit, that will help you stay consistent and motivated when it comes time to create something new.

Just like any other habit, making art every day can become part of your routine if you make it fun! Set aside some time each day for this activity and try to incorporate it into other parts of your life as well – like during breakfast or dinner or while watching TV.

If you're looking for some new ideas for mixed media art, this list is a great place to start.

You can use any of these ideas to create something that's unique and original. You can also try combining two or more of them together! It's important to remember that there is no right way or wrong way when it comes to creating your own work - so don't be afraid if something doesn't turn out exactly as planned (which will probably happen anyway). Instead, focus on the process itself: how did it feel? What did you learn from this experience? How will next time be different? The answers might surprise you!

What is mixed media art?

Mixed Media Drawing by Monica

Mixed media art is a fun and exciting way to express yourself. It encompasses a wide range of artistic forms, including painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, photography, and sculpture. Mixed media artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create their works.

A brief history of mixed media art

In the earliest days of visual art, artists used natural materials to create their masterpieces. Later on, they began to experiment with a variety of different materials. For example, many paintings from the Renaissance era contained oil paints mixed with egg yolk or milk (this is called tempera). Some of these works were also painted on wood panels that had been prepared with glue and wax.

In more modern times, mixed media has taken off in popularity as a form of artistic expression. Artists use many different combinations of mediums—often combining painting with other art forms like photography or sculpture—to create truly unique pieces that capture the essence of their inner selves through visual storytelling.

What is mixed media art?

Mixed media art is a combination of two or more forms of art. It can include paintings, drawings, and sculptures. It can also include photography and other types of media. This exciting and rewarding artistic medium allows you to express yourself in ways that are both unique and varied.

Materials commonly used in mixed media art

You can use these materials to create a mixed media art piece:

• Graphite

• Ink

• Acrylic paint

• Paper (multiple types)

• Wood Mount

• Charcoal & Pastel

• And so much more!

Mixed media art tutorial

Let's get started:

• Start with a rough sketch and build from there. A piece of paper and a pencil are all you need to start, but once you're ready to commit, add paint and other materials in layers as needed.

• Try using different colours by mixing different pigments together on your palette (the area where you mix colors). This can create new colors or shades that are more vibrant than using only one color at a time would produce alone—just make sure not to add too much water!

Remember, any “mistakes” in mixed media pieces can easily be covered up or turned into something else, so don’t sweat it!

• Try using different tools like brushes and sponges while painting so that the strokes vary in thickness or width depending on what will look best with each particular piece of artwork (this is called "tension" between two opposite forces). Be careful not to go overboard though - the goal here is balance and contrast.

Mixed media art is an exciting and rewarding artistic medium.

Mixed media art is a great way to express yourself. If you're feeling down, it's easy to channel your emotions into a piece of art and turn them into something beautiful. Or maybe you're trying to find a way to express something that's been on your mind for a while and can't quite find the right words. Mixed media art is also an excellent way to experiment with different materials; some artists prefer certain mediums over others, while others like exploring new ways of using old ones or combining them together in unexpected ways.

In addition, mixed media art allows you to learn new techniques that may be difficult or time-consuming when working with just one material (or even just two). For example, you might want to create an oil painting but don't have any oil paints at home; in this case, try using acrylics instead! You could also use pencil crayons instead of charcoal sticks when creating sketches—they'll give off similar results but require less effort from you because they're already pre-drawn lines that only need coloring in by hand (and then adding more details if necessary).

Try It Out!

Mixed media art is a fun way to express yourself and make beautiful works of art. You can use any materials that you like, as long as they are compatible with each other.

Find your own style through experimentation.

You’ll never know until you try and when it comes to art, I recommend you try everything! Have fun.