A rose by any other name....

Gearing up for the holidays makes me ponder what life was like at different times in history. I often find my mind wandering to some of those classic stories that involve Christmas. I think of "A Christmas Carol" as many do, but oddly, my mind always wanders back to the holiday scene in "Little Women". There was a war going on, but despite a missing patriarch, life seems to have moved on like normal. It makes me reflect on how in many was, despite the fact that we are in what appears to be a never ending war in Iraq & Afghanistan, life here on the homefront seems to continue on, much as it ever has.
With that, I've written my description of the portrait series. Here it is for you all
-Meghan

Archetype: Women of War
A series of 5 Portraits-

1. Revolutionary War- Water Woman, 2010
cotton & synthetic fabric, poly fiber batting, thread
2. Civil War- Bandage Rollers, 2010
paper, cardboard & glue
3. World War I- Red Cross Nurse, 2010
cotton embroidery floss, canvas
4. World War II- Factory Worker, 2010
wool yarn
5. Current Iraq War- Soldier, 2010
rose petals on canvas

A series of 5 portraits showing working women of character during great wars in American history. A Woman's place in history has always been defined by what they were allowed to do; their skills were valued differently by the times in which they lived. Each portrait is created using a traditionally feminine craft technique: quilting, quilling, embroidery, knitting and pressed flowers. These skills and pastimes were appropriate for a girl of good upbringing, one who shows her obedience to family and country by doing what is proper. Her value to society was defined by how well she could behave in social situations, and how masterfully she could preform these feminine skills. By using these craft forms as the processes for creating the portraits of these women who stepped outside societal boundaries in times of crisis, women who wanted to give to their country and it's fighting men a helping hand, the artist hopes to highlight the fact that despite historical leanings, women have been contributing members of the war front since the beginning. This culminates in the final portrait of the female soldier in the current Iraqi war. This piece is made using pressed rose petals, which, depending on color have specific meanings and were a way for a man to show his feelings for a lady without speaking the words. Here, being paired with the strongest image of a woman's role in war, of being an equal to the men around her, here she is made from petals, she is truly as delicate as a flower, and as beautiful as a rose.