Who hasn’t heard the cat-call while walking from point “A” to point “B.” Unexpected. That time when you were fourteen years old, wearing a pretty sundress while out for a walk enjoying the summer twilight. Then you notice the same car has been driving by for the last half hour — the man smiling at you — his dick in his hand like a present. You ran all the way home. Unexpected. That time at the Friday school dance, you received a kiss that was more than just a kiss — then on Monday he complained when you failed to reciprocate. He called you a whore. Unexpected. That time at the bar when a hand groped your flesh. Tits, ass, pussy, doesn’t matter what he touched. Yours. Private. Kidding! He said with a laugh. He stopped laughing after you slapped him. Unexpected. Yet — Not surprised. That time you told your mother about the latest indignity. “Dressed like that, you were asking for it.” Your mother said. “No — I was just minding my own business.” You replied, annoyed, yet, guilty. Your body betrayed you. Huh. Unexpected. That time, you were feeling prettier because someone noticed you. He seemed charming — he made you laugh, you were giddy. All going so nice, at least until — He wasn’t that funny. Unexpected. It’s only hilarious in Bugs Bunny cartoons because he dressed like a she and had them good ole boys fooled. The rascally rabbit took care of that shit the minute the ears and tail became clear. Think fast rabbit! Unexpected. Who hasn’t heard the wolf-whistle while walking from point “A” to point “B.” Unexpected.
I’m revisiting this poe-umm now that I’m back to work on the art project inspired by it, but I ran into a bit of trouble regarding the color blue that I had picked for the background. While it was raining yesterday, I went into the studio to fix the Unexpected project that I had abandoned in the early spring. The blue background was too light and offered no contrast for the pink paper dolls.
Up close, it worked, but when something light-colored is hanging on a gallery wall, it fails to draw you in, as they are too similar in value.
Yesterday, I mixed cobalt blue and cerulean blue acrylic paint to create a wash; it's perfect! The little pink ladies stand out.
I'll need to reprint the impressions and line tracings of the dolls, but having the original layer already there will add texture to the background, so I don’t mind the extra work at all. It’s part of the process, and I’m all about the process.
The original project of sassy paper dolls that prompted this larger one was published on Substack October 2023.
Sometimes these things take time to simmer, my brain has been working out the problem on and off for several weeks.
Wednesday is going to be our next rainy day, it'll be the ideal studio day to work on what I have started! I don't like being stalled out like this, but I didn't give up. These things take time.
We finally got some rain, but it came packaged with a rollicking thunderstorm during the wee hours of Sunday morning that woke us up. One thunder and lightning clap was right on top of us, and we were certain that something had been hit nearby. Shortly after that big bang, accompanied by more rumbling and flashing, an emergency vehicle drove by slowly, its lights flashing but no siren. We imagined that more than one someone called 911 about it, and either the sheriff or one of the troopers was dispatched for a look-see if there’s anything amiss on top of our hill.
After all of the rain, my wee donkey rolled in the mud, only getting one side muddy. She waited until late this afternoon to do it. She smelled like a wet donkey.
I hope everyone is well. Be extra good to yourselves, follow your bliss, and find joy. Remember to be kind to others, okay? You never know what someone is going through—and we’re all going through a lot these days.
Thank you for visiting From My Acre of the World. I’m happy to share my creative life journey as I connect the dots between life, art, images, the written word, and my creative process. I want to say “Hello” to all my subscribers, followers, and new visitors. I want to thank my subscribers, both paid and free; I truly appreciate your ongoing support, and it means a great deal to me to have you here. My content is always free because I want to reach people and have my work accessible (you can pay if you want to, but there’s no pressure). I always enjoy hearing from you; your comments are pretty special.
the poem is great. thanks.
Thankyou for this writing, I love that you put it out, even with the feelings of fear, anger, disenfranchisement, disempowerment it evoked. The general sense of discombobulation and unease in the world is the clear, and probably desired response to violence, personal invasion a perpetrator desires. Muddied blues, muddied donkey can be righted. I loved how you persevered with the integrity of self and process that dissolves discombobulation.