March 2021 Lock down Contemplations – – Remembering Nasty Women Art UK – Redbubble Promo –
March 10, 2021
Art Journal March 2021 post by Jenny Meehan
Lockdown Contemplations.
It’s different. I like time on my own and I am finding the situation with less distractions and dates in the diary very good for art working. I was struck by the words of Chris Chapman, a wise man who was my spiritual director a few years back, as he introduces a retreat series at St Augustine’s College of Theology:
“And yet the experience of lockdown does hold surprising echoes of a retreat. Our well-worn routines have been left behind. We have ventured – or been pushed – into unknown territory. Our customary diversions no longer apply. As with a retreat we have moved into a place where we are more open to meet who we are and what we fear and what we long for. We are more vulnerable and, with this perhaps, more consciously alive. Among those fundamental questions many of us are facing are ones of identity: ‘Who are you, God, and who am I? Where are you God amidst the changes I am experiencing? What are you inviting me to be or do? Where have we gone wrong in the past? How will we live in the future? We are also – I believe – aware of the need of deeper rooting in God to help us survive – even grow through – this long, long season of uncertainty.”
Yes; Resonating in particular: “we are more open to meet who we are and what we fear and what we long for.”
Direction wise this is very good, and I am finding it bringing more clarity for me with regard to focus, which is very good for me, as I tend to have somewhat of an exploding brain kind of mind I think. Great for ideas, and great as an artist, but not so great for focus. He continues:
“A retreat at home is different. We do not leave behind work, family and four familiar walls. In one sense the experience is less intense and focused: there are more calls on our time than listening to God. And yet, a retreat at home is where we are: it reflects our reality. It also helps us welcome God into all the corners of our everyday existence. Here too is holy ground, if only our eyes are open to recognise this.”
This is so true… And I still have my Christmas banner hanging up! I have decided to keep it there all year. The area around it seems to have transformed itself into a focus for prayer, with lights and candles. It’s a bit altar like. Both myself and my husband haven’t been inside a church building for ages. Having our home altar is very conducive to prayer. I think I have been in prayer more than I did when we didn’t have the banner there.
https://www.redbubble.com/people/jennymeehan
https://www.redbubble.com/people/jennyjimjams
Jenny Meehan/jennyjimjams are both Redbubble artist portfolios of British contemporary Artist Designer Jenny Meehan.
Discover Jenny Meehan via my Art Journal Blog https://jennymeehan.wordpress.com/
©Jenny Meehan
Lockdown Restrictions
On the less so lovely side, the restrictions are a pain. Just not used to having my freedoms curtailed I guess.
Yeah, so the next image on show is a padlock. I am feeling a bit restricted here in the UK Coronavirus Lockdown. Restrictions. They are felt. But needs must.
photographic image of rusted padlock by artist designer jenny meehan ©Jenny Meehan
The activity I am missing most of all is swimming. I swim at least twice a week normally, and now I have to wait until mid April! This is the hardest thing for me, and though I enjoy walking and yoga, and exercise generally, there is nothing quite like swimming and being in the water! I am also feeling a bit restricted space wise, as I cannot work in the garden with anything but gardening right now. I’ve done a bit of painting, of course, but have been focusing on my poetry a fair bit. Plus reviewing work in progress. This is time well spent. I have my coronavirus vaccine booked in for the end of March, so that’s a date for the diary! There are not that many dates for the diary, so when something does come up it’s always an event!
Black and White
This time of year always brings me to a place creatively where I consider light and darkness, black and white, tones and mark making rather than colour.
What I focus on creatively is very much dictated by the seasons and what’s happening in nature around me I’ve come to realise.
The low light and bare branches of trees… It may be their strong influence. I also always go and see the society of wood engravers exhibition at the bankside for my yearly dose of black and white wood cutting/printing. Just online this time around. Not quite as enjoyable, but I still get to see the wonderful work on instagram which is something at least.
Vision photo art image by artist designer jenny meehan ©Jenny Meehan
©Jenny Meehan
This is a section of one of my #photographic studies titled “vision”. Its one of many images exploring light on surfaces, in this case a copper sculpture I made at West Dean College. (It’s a section, and a low resolution image only.) I spend quite a lot of time with photography, which I use as a looking, thinking and remembering tool. It’s very good for studying light and shadow. Over the years I have taken many images, often of my own sculptures or objects of interest, and mostly with the objective of simply exploring light on their different surfaces.
Nasty Women Art UK project
Back in 2017 I took part in a fund raising venture geared towards helping my sisters. It involved an art sale, but not all the art was sold. I submitted a small print of my work “Woman and Home”
woman and home print ©jenny meehan
Info on “Woman and Home”. Digital Art (2014)
…Memories from women’s magazines on what my life can be. Apparently.
But it cannot. The words are a prison. In this image the words hang like some kind of rigid screen across the face. The distance and separation between me and what I am told by women’s magazines I can have and I can be, is clear.
Having experienced violence in the past brings an awareness of the disconnect between the outside image of what I might be and the reality of what is/was.
I like to utilise the imagery which has struck me as having come from somewhere deep within my own experience, unexpected. The original photographic image (a self portrait) I used in creating this work was taken around 2008, at a time when the adverse effects of my various past traumas were tightly packed inside me, affecting my life by causing pressure; still very much under the surface.
I chose to use this image again in a digital collage because in re-creating it into a new artwork, I was both testifying to the impact of my own traumatic experiences of violence and it’s effects, while also recognising that the passage of time has brought change and progress: Re creation.
Though the work still has an ambiguous quality to it… Which I like.
Maybe there is a better future there? … The words are there after all… The typeface is chunky, but transparent. It may be permeable. It may be fragile, and I may be strong… Able to define myself from the inside out.
This artwork has a necessary tension within it in my interpretation.
You can see my donated work and others which are still available for sale here:
http://www.nastywomenuk.com/art-works.html
It looks like it was a one off project rather than an ongoing one, but it was very successful, raising over £7,500 in aid of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, a collective between women’s support services, NGOs, researchers and activists to end violence against women and girls in all forms.
A bit about the Nasty Women Art UK project, quoted from the website:
“Nasty Women UK is part of a Global Art Movement founded in New York in January 2017 in reaction to the growing misogyny and rampant intolerance towards marginal social groups that has become ubiquitous in the media as well as in government. The name ‘Nasty Women’ comes from a comment Donald Trump made about Hillary Clinton, interrupting her during a televised debate to mutter the insult into his microphone. The term was instantly reclaimed by thousands of women across social media, and has since become a rallying call for those who stand for gender equality and equity.
Here in the UK, we too have seen countless examples of sexism and bigotry. From the ‘Legs-it’ tabloid headline following Brexit talks between Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon to bosses forcing female staff to wear high heels to work or the Conservative government partnering up with the anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ DUP party, hatred and intolerance have been on the rise and civil rights that generations of men and women have campaigned for are being threatened. This is a pivotal time in politics, culture and our country’s history. This is a time to stand up and be counted, to speak out against intolerance in all its forms and to amplify the voices of those that go unheard. This is the time to proclaim that you too are a ‘Nasty Woman’ and create powerful, positive identities.
The first historic Nasty Women event was held in New York, USA on 12-15th Jan 2017. It was started by Roxanne Jackson and Jessamyn Fiore with a facebook post that read:Hello female artists/curators! Lets organize a NASTY WOMEN group show!!! Who’s interested???”
Link to the Nasty Women website:
http://www.nastywomenuk.com/press.html
Quote from Co-director and curator Antonia Kimbell
‘The common and inclusive language of art unites people giving them a platform for self-expression. Our exhibition aims to inspire and provoke whilst providing a platform for discussion on gender equality and equity, as well as being a celebration of the diverse talents and skills of women.’
The Nasty Women Art UK event took place over the weekend of
22-24 September 2017 at
Stour Space, 7 Roach Road, Hackney Wick, E3 2PA
All works were on sale, with prices ranging from £5 to £500 – all proceeds went to End Violence Against Women, a collective between women’s support services, NGOs, researchers and activists to end violence against women and girls in all forms.
in 2013, I wrote this poem:
Violence
is the blinding light which brings
darkness
wipes the words from my lips
removes all trace
of speech
yet tells me to be quiet, and so keeps me from
recalling
the sound of myself.
Violence
Is the blinding light which brings
Complete darkness
Takes the words from my
Open lips
Removes all trace
Of speech
Yet tells me to be quiet,
But I am recalling the sound of myself, that you may see.
Jenny Meehan 2013
Art Prints to Buy from Redbubble
If you want to buy a print of anything you see here, please contact me via the contact page on my art journal and I can make it available to you via redbubble.
I don’t put all my work up there routinely, but if I get specific requests I can arrange to upload to the site so you can buy it as an unsigned print.
I may also have a very limited number of signed prints myself, (or be able to arrange to print one and sign it personally for you) if you want a custom made and signed by the artist art print. This is a more expensive
option.
I like Redbubble!
Redbubble is an online print on demand marketplace, making excellent quality products of many kinds, including masks, and wall decor. They are a business entity themselves. Redbubble is what is called a “print on demand site”. This means Redbubble take the largest proportion of any sales made on there, because its Redbubble who fulfil the order. Redbubble sort out the manufacture, packaging, payment, customer service etc. The buyer buys the product from Redbubble. However, for an artist like myself who doesn’t want to spend ages producing products and prints, but likes to focus on creating, it’s a really great way of enabling people to access my art in a safe, affordable, and customer friendly way.
I know from conversations I have had with art collectors and art lovers that buying work directly from artists can be a bit of a step of faith. They often have many things which they feel unsure about. For example, if it’s Okay to ask for a price reduction for a piece of artwork, or how they should go about approaching an artist or making a Studio visit to view an artwork. It’s very easy to take the process for granted and not realise that it may be intimidating at worst, or just uncomfortable, for many art lovers and collectors.
It’s also very true, I know this myself, that not everyone is bothered about exclusivity. It is very true that the world is full of amazing, collectable artworks from brilliant artists, of very many kinds, who are immensely productive and produce very collectable artworks. (PS “collectable artworks” are those which RESONATE WITH YOU and add to your LIFE STORY and interests in an EDIFYING way.) For those who want to collect original art…paintings, drawings, sculptures etc…I have plenty of original artwork to collect. Just contact me via the contact form, make a studio visit, or visit me at Kingston Artists’ Open Studios (when that resumes!)
I also have “unique prints”. Let me clarify. These are often monotypes, or similar kinds of prints which are original in themselves in that I don’t try and create editions with them, in the traditional sense of the word, but instead I treat them as an original artwork in themselves, which would include variations and additions of many kinds. I like that. It’s more interesting!
I also produce, though not in any great number (indeed, up to now about 5 has been the maximum) signed and numbered photographs. These, again, are not editions, but rather digital artworks and/or photographic prints which sometimes people commission or at other times I am just making for an exhibition, creative experiment, or myself. These “numbered and signed” prints are few and far between, and so if you are an art lover or collector who wants more than the open edition unsigned art prints available to buy via Redbubble, then this is possibly an avenue to go down.
It is the case that the so called “Art World” is very, very small in the universe of art. I am glad about this and glad for avenues such as redbubble, which mean that the doors to accessing my work are much bigger, wider, and open, than me keeping a narrow view and artificially restricting my artworks to only those art lovers and art collectors who have the financial means to pay more for their visual art. Why exclude? When the possible audience to receive your artwork is so wide, and vast? Why assume that money equals value? This is an outdated and unpleasant way to see the world. It’s too restrictive. It’s mean. Money is important and Value is important too. We need them. Money can express value. But when it comes to art… Maybe art is freer than this? Maybe the so called “Art World” can be it’s own worse enemy if it becomes more about opinions regarding art based on desirability? A desirability which is not centred in the individual, themselves and their life…what may help them have a greater richness and depth in their life… but on some kind of investment purpose? We must invest in OURSELVES with art. There must be love, over other considerations like how much the object cost. Meander over.
Back to Redbubble!
Most of the artwork I have selected to put up on my redbubble artists profiles( I have two, jennyjimjams and JennyMeehan) belongs to the strand of my creative practice concerned with geometric abstraction, and in this area of my art working I am interested in flat colour abstract images, often with diffused edges, plus a few other series, for example my “Keim Galaxies” and some collections with a modernist Art Deco vibe. It helps to keep the selection of artwork on such sites fairly uniform… it just looks tidier, but as said, if you see anything else on here which you like just let me know and I can put it on the site for a short time so you are able to order it.
Jenny Meehan: How to buy my art prints online safely, easily, and affordably.
https://www.redbubble.com/people/jennyjimjams
This is my main Artist’s page on the print-on-demand site redbubble.
While primarily a fine artist, a big part of my creative ethos is that my work is as inclusive and accessible as possible, hence using a print-on-demand site to share the love !
Social Media
With the Coronavirus Pandemic there have been benefits to me as an artist, even though its sad not to have any actual physical art exhibitions. It’s made me think more about using social media, and I am now using that far more. It is wonderful to see other peoples artworks and photographs too. I have found with judicious use it is a good thing. It is very tempting to spend more time on twitter, instagram, etc than initially intended though! Here’s a couple of screen shots from my instagram account.
I have two instagram accounts; jennymeehan_jennymeehan is the one which I tend to prioritize sharing a bit more of a “fine art” strand. (Not that I embrace the artificial distinction between fine and applied art, mind you! To my thinking, the imagination is just as useful as a cup!)
Tidal flow flat colour soft edged abstract Artwork ©artist jenny meehan shop at jennyjimjams.redbubble.com
abstract flat colour art image title jump start by artist designer jenny meehan ©Jenny Meehan
My Favourite Selfie from Last Year
As I am missing my studio tent… For it is far too cold, still, to work in a tent in the UK for any length of time at least… I have fondly reminisced on last year in the studio tent. I worked really hard to make it as warm as possible. To achieve this I used horticultural fleece which is a lovely material and worked very well. You can see it in the background of this image.
Jenny Meehan Artist Designer selfie in studio tent/necessity is the mother of invention ©Jenny Meehan jennymeehan jennyjimjams in jennymeehan.wordpress.com
I quite like giving my selfies a title, and “Necessity is Mother of Invention” is just right for this. For lack of indoor space, and need of an art studio, was certainly necessity, and the mother of my studio tent. I work in my studio tent when the weather permits. The sound of birds, and the sight of snails is very helpful to me! At other times I work in different rooms in the house, on floors, beds, tables, and in the garden.
Its a strange experience seeing more people working from home now. I’ve not been able to fund a studio space for more than a month, but I’m not unhappy about this, though its sometimes inconvenient not to have more room. I’m a great believer in “necessity is the mother of invention” and my work patterns and focus vary as the months of the year go by, due to the restrictions, which has served me well. At this time we need to adapt to the restrictions, believing that good can come out of them. Sometimes the best things come unexpected out of circumstances we wouldn’t expect.
Reusable Masks for Deaf, deaf, and Hard of Hearing People to buy online via Redbubble
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
I continue to add the occasional new design to my rather extensive collection of face masks on redbubble. There are now well over 200 options for people who are deaf, Deaf, Hard of Hearing or anyone else who relies on lipreading or needing to see someone’s face for communication needs. I am surprised how much I have got into these designs!
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
I started creating designs for the reusable face masks sold by redbubble (a print on demand website) way back last year, and found my interest just grew and grew. It is interesting to think about the flat design and how it can change when translated into a product. I really enjoy the process. I like sculpture very much indeed, so maybe its the novelty of not just working two dimensionally I enjoy?
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
I have had some good and very helpful feedback. It makes me very happy to know I can put my art and design into action in such a positive way. I will always be a painter first and foremost. Yet I think it is very important for any artist to think “out the box” as much as possible, and if that thinking can help another human being at a difficult time then it’s worth “pushing the boat out” to put it into action. (oooooh, I do love an idiom!)
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
Because this art journal is such a meandering discourse, I have now created a page with more information and focus on my communication prompt masks, stickers, and badges, etc with a bit more about this Coronavirus Pandemic deaf awareness project. I really need to sort out my “Very Patient Knee Replacement Story” too, I feel. Just not enough time in the days I find! (Deaf/deaf HardofHearing page coming soon… In progress!)
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
I’ve designed 200 + options #deaf #Deaf #lipreading #lipreaders #hardofhearing #hearingloss etc facemasks! Can’t quite believe it! But with digital technology it’s quite straightforward, and I do feel passionately about it.
It’s my coronavirus pandemic creative art project. I needed to have one. And I wanted it to be useful to other people.
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
Redbubble manufacture and fulfil the orders, and offer worldwide delivery and excellent quality and service. I buy things from them myself, and I have always been very pleased with the products and service.
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
As well as my deaf awareness range, printed on masks, badges, stickers and more, and consisting of over 200 different designs, I have many other fashionable and decorative, face covers here on my artist profile at Redbubble, plus beautiful interior decoration designs for home and office.
Deaf Awareness lipreading masks; Coronavirus Pandemic Mass Masking; s Reusable masks and Accessories for deaf people deaf awareness shop at Redbubble designed by Jenny Meehan jennyjimjams.redbubble.com
If you like to double up your facemask the unfitted Redbubble masks, as show above, work really well over a disposable mask if you only want the deaf awareness communication prompt for specific situations. I’ve stuck to showing the unfitted reusable facecoverings available to buy online at Redbubble, but they do also have a range of fitted masks though they are rather more expensive.
Masks for deaf people in Coronavirus Pandemic Reusable facemasks Redbubble shop designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams
I hope they are helpful and do please give your feedback for this coronavirus pandemic creative project as I’ve been working hard and feel passionate about it being a useful resource.
https://www.redbubble.com/people/jennymeehan
https://www.redbubble.com/people/jennyjimjams
Jenny Meehan/jennyjimjams are both Redbubble artist portfolios belonging to me.
February Abstract Painting
Well, in another push towards order, I have decided to ensure I complete one painting each month. The way I work means that I have loads of paintings “in progress” which I leave, return to, and contemplate on for some considerable time usually. Though I am going through the months with these paintings, I am not trying to make them have particular resonance with the changing seasons, though I am sure some elements may seep in. My painting is very emotion and instinct led, and I like to work freely, unless I am producing something in response to a particular brief or project specification.
British painting Lyrical Abstraction style by artist designer jenny meehan jennyjimjams colour blue white grey original abstract artwork to buy and image licensing ©Jenny Meehan
Well, that’s it for now. Not very long and meandering this time. Roll on more of Spring, and the end of Lockdown I hope.
Jenny Meehan - Art Journal 