Rise or retreat.

As companions to the figures in Exotic Women, I wanted to incorporate animals to heighten the primal symbolism of the works. But which animals? I considered various possibilities. Penguins? They didn’t feel romantic enough. Wolves? Overdone in Old West art. Then I thought—how about an ostrich?

A creature that can be both fierce and defensive, known for its strength and occasional instinct to bury its head in the sand. The ostrich really spoke to me, especially as I reflected on the legacy of the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s. That era, in particular, seemed to offer women the choice between fighting for change or retreating into the status quo.

Galleries where you can purchase Adrenaline Rising Bust:

Art at The Geode (Portland, OR)

Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art (Charleston, SC)

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