I have been working. I’m doing that part of the job where I am getting all the parts sorted out (matching dyed “tattooed” body piece to plain flesh color pieces and then cutting parts out), stuffing groups of already sewed animals (kitties and foxes) and giving them faces,
and moving forward with dressing some of the them. I had a fox girl that I had promised to make so those are moving forward first.
Soon I will have some finished pieces to show. But, the thing is, that really isn’t why I’ve been so quiet.
*** trigger warning for liberal politics- stop here if you can’t stand anymore***
I have just been so overwhelmed and distracted by what is happening here in the US. I have had a hard time focusing on my work. I get sucked into checking the news multiple times a day. My social media feeds (twitter, facebook) are filled with all the terrible news. I find myself thinking, I will just go peek and see what horrifying thing this new administration has done since the last time I looked. I know this is bad for me. I have to limit my exposure but I vacillate between feeling like I need to be informed and wanting to put my head under the covers and block everything out. I am a person who has struggled with depression my entire life but focusing on my work is what has kept me stable and functional for years now. I have to find my way back to my focus, and I know I will, but it is mental exercise and that is hard work.
This blog has never been a place for politics. Someone once told me that my blog was their little oasis from the real world. I am not planning on changing the focus of the blog. I will give a trigger warning if I feel like I need to vent again. But, I can’t remain completely silent. Someone in my life recently said to me, it doesn’t matter who won the election, they were both the same. Honestly, it ruined my day to think that anyone believes that and I consider it to be deliberate ignorance. We are at the beginning of a very scary time. I will be participating in some art projects as one of the ways I will express my resistance and that will be showing up here.
This is what I worked on all of Inauguration Day. It is for a community art project for the window at Gather Here.
And this is what I posted on Saturday in solidarity with all the Women marching.
Now that I’ve finally written this post, I am hoping I can get things back to normal around here, posting and all. I was feeling completely blocked so phew.
Thank you. I love your kitties in their little pink kitty hats.
Thank you for sharing. I love to see your beautiful creations, but it’s an extra special treat to get a glimpse into your life outside of your art.
Thanks for being amazing. You are my spirit animal. I have felt so lost the past few days. I want to do something, but don’t know where to start. It’s good to know there are others out there. xo.
I love your art, love your blog and fully agree on all counts. Please carry on being your authentic self X
Oh, how I recognise and echo your feelings! Yes, it’s really bad for us to keep looking at the stuff going on in the news – particularly if it triggers intense feelings of fear and powerless. But it seems that we’ve reached a point where we can’t really ignore it all anymore – that just doesn’t feel like an option. For those of us of a sensitive disposition, it’s vital to protect ourselves: rationing exposure to the news, and ensuring that we’re topped up with balancing restorative experiences (cake, a swim, a massage) is crucial.
Whatever you manage to do – or don’t – in your political arena, your art provides a sanctuary and respite for so many of us, Mimi, and I’m sure it will continue to do so. I have one of your tattooed dolls hanging above my staircase – and he’s about the first thing I manage to focus my bleary vision on as I stumble down to the kettle each morning. Thanks so much for making my day – every day. Sending love and courage… xx
Love , love, love your work! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been feeling pretty much the same way. Your works are positive and fun reinforcements of the values that women hold dear.
Dear Mimi, You are not the only one who is affected by the election. I have been having nightmares. We will be ok eventually. The person who commented that Trump and Clinton were just the same was probably trying to reassure himself.
Cats in pink hats are the best thing I have seen in a while! I feel like reading the newspaper is like watching a train wreck now. I don’t want to look but I feel compelled to.
I’m with you, sister! Love the hats. (I have one of my own)
If it’s any consolation, we non Americans feel your pain (and your fears). I can’t believe Trump won either. I can’t believe all the damage he is doing to the efforts to tackle climate change and all the rest of the nonsense he’s come out with, particularly when it comes to refugees and muslims. The man’s a fool. Surely it will only be a matter of time before he trips himself up and ends up out of office?
Best bet is to keep on going and hope for the best.
Dawn xx
Thank you for sharing both your lovely creations and your thoughts. I have been feeling the same way about the politics of our nation. I participated in my local woman’s march and that was uplifting. I continue to read on blogs and have conversations with friends about what is helping and the constant is creating. I know that is helping me too. So we shall resist, create and stand together!
I love your work Mimi and read your blog all the time. Have even made one of your owls. Hoping to have my own parliament soon. I’m in full agreement about your feelings. It’s a scary time now in our country and people all over the world are frightened for us but I have not given up hope and was cheered by your thoughts. We can get through this if we all work at it. Stay strong!
Nothing I have read since the election has so accurately captured my own feelings…your post said it all. I too have battled mild depression my entire adult life although I have been pleased to be managing without medication for the last 10 years or so. Since the election I have really had to focus on craft in order to keep myself moving. Many of my friends imply that I am over-reacting. It’s bad enough that we have elected an egomaniacal fascist as our (and the free world’s) leader, but to not see the danger is very frightening.
Why are we obsessed with the threat posed by religious zealots when any crazy person can buy an automatic weapon at a gun show and kill as many people (children!) as he/she wants? Thousands and thousands and thousands of people are killed in this country each year and we do nothing about that.
Okay, I’m done. But thanks for saying so succinctly what I have been feeling. And thanks for sharing your art, which soothes and inspires.