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| Meskina - Quiet Wisdom. Pen & ink 350x230mm ©Sue Pownall 2012 |
Observed since the early 1900s, International Women's Day is annually held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. You can read more about it here.
"Every year the United Nations choose a different worldwide theme for Women’s Day and many events take place... marking the economic, political and social achievements of women. Their theme for March 8th 2012 “Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty”." Source LindyLou at News From Italy
Whilst this year I am not involved with an event, I am posting my latest Festival Face portrait, which is of a woman who has had a very hard life and matches the UN theme. The title has been elusive, despite lots of good suggestions in response to my competition - thank you - apart from Meskina (Arabic for poor woman) which has remained in my head.
As in the tradition of all competitions, I picked a winner.
& the winner is...
Esther Hardman with Quiet Wisdom.
Esther please use the contact form above to send me your snail mail (postal) address,
so I can get your prize in the post.
*****
Photo reference supplied and used with the permission of Ahmed S. Al-Harthy.
Please check out his fabulous photos at Ahmed S. Al-Harthy Photography
Hi Sue, Caneta means pen and the drawing was done with a soluble ink and with a brush I've profit the colour. It's black ink but with the water it turns in a particular kind of blue.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for choosing my suggestion. Let me further explain my reason behind that title.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I didn't know the theme of this year's International Women's Day, I saw something in that portrait that fits. I too grew up in rough circumstances including poverty, and then after college served for two years on a rural, isolated US Indian reservation in the Southwest United States. There I was surrounded by many people who for centuries dredged out a living in the desert sand. I saw the strength, the quiet wisdom of the women who suffered much but yet persevered. They, if one took the time to talk and more importantly listened to them had much wisdom to share. When I saw your portrait it reminded me of the care-worn faces of my youth who inspired me, and my time on the reservation of women, who quietly faced struggles and yet had so much wisdom to share for those willing to lend an ear.
Again thanks for allowing me the privilege to help you title one of your many wonderful drawings. Continue the great work. :)
There I did it again, lol. My name is Esther Hardman for the above anonymous reply. I keep forgetting I'm not on blogger anymore. sorry.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very compelling piece of artwork! And so fitting for the theme and the title you gave it. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYour portrait is a perfect tribute for La Festa delle Donna Sue, Thanks for quoting me as your source of info although credit goes to the United Nations themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe finished piece is wonderful Sue and 'quiet wisdom' sums it up.
ReplyDeletebravissima! wow, what a great portrait, and your timing is excellent too!!
ReplyDeleteMimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors
Wow. Beautiful drawing, Sue. Wonderful sense of depth and values. I love the textures and movement your lines create in the fabric and face. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful drawing. Really impressive.
ReplyDeletegot to follow your blog --- it's amazing :)
ReplyDeleteThis is just so clever. I can really see 'in' to this woman. Just stunning :0)
ReplyDeleteReally powerful, Sue. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Perrine & Katherine nice of you both to stop by and comment too.
Esther - you made me laugh with your ps. Thank you for sharing your story here.
LindyLou - I'd rather link to you than the UN :)
Cathy, Mimi, Kris, A.Decker, Sandra & Lanny - I'm glad you all like her.
Quiet Wisdom is indeed a winner in so very many ways.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful, and the portrait is amazing. Can I ask you: how did you do this? Did she sit still for you to draw her, or did you make an image in your mind and then made the drawing, or did you maybe use a photo you took of her? Just curious how you do these kind of things.
ReplyDeleteKoosje - if you look at the bottom of the post I've written "Photo reference supplied and used with the permission of Ahmed S. Al-Harthy."
ReplyDeleteI have sketched many of these ladies and use those to help me get feeling into the portrait, but basically this is an interpretation taken from the photo.
Thanks Sue, for your reply. I love the style and the detail. In Vietnam, I took a photo of a beautiful old lady and I might give it a try to make a drawing out of it too. Thanks for your messages on my facebook page!
ReplyDeleteYou know what? I gave you the Versatile Blogger award. Find out more about it:
ReplyDeletehttp://koosjekoene.blogspot.com/2012/03/award.html
Sue, this work is absolutely beautiful and expressive. Congratulations.
ReplyDelete