Back in March we were given a Bootcamp assignment on the Suffragettes. While researching the project I discovered so much I didn't already know about these brave and remarkable women. I had no idea of just how much they suffered in the name of votes for women. Many of them went on hunger strikes while they were in prison and were brutally force fed with tubes being stuck down their throats or even up their nostrils while being physically restrained. The abuse they experienced effected their physical health for the rest of their lives. It is truly humbling to consider the sacrifices these women made for the benefit of all women in Western civilisations today. While there were many of these extraordinary women who made up the Suffragette movement, I particularly researched a leading figure: Emmeline Pankhurst who in their desperation to be heard, encouraged militant tactics. She founded the all women political organisation the WSPU (Womens Social and Political Union) in 1905 whose slogan was 'deeds not words'. Against much criticism, she encouraged her members to use extreme measures such as arson. She died in 1928, just weeks before the vote for all women aged over 21 was granted on 2nd July. A memorial of her can be found near the houses of parliament.
What You Seek Is Seeking You
This months Bootcamp was to design a journal cover based around tea and particularly tasseomancy, the old art of reading tea leaves. I've been really into painting portraits lately so decided I wanted to focus my work around a fortune teller. Many moons ago I used to quite enjoy reading tarot cards and so my gypsy fortune teller, is based on the 2nd card in the Major Arcana, The High Priestess. She's intuitive, empathetic, independent and has a wonderfully balanced equilibrium. The quote I've used: 'What you seek is seeking you' was written over 800 years ago by the well known mystical Persian poet Rumi. In todays world of violence and uncertainty, it seems more important than ever to keep hope alive and remember the incredible importance of our spiritual journey, a healthy soul and our connection to everything and everyone! Quiet moments of contemplation seem so hard to come by in our fast paced lives. It's important to give ourselves some sacred space, whether that be a walk in nature or curling up with a cup of tea in a candle lit room. Quiet reflection recharges us and that in turn my friends, allows us to focus on kindness to others. Here's a link for you to check out the Mats Bootcamp February gallery.
The Origins of British Tea
So for Bootcamp this month our mini assignment is all about tea. Yup, anything and everything and if you love tea like me then that equals quite a lot of fun. Since I love history too I have been digging around and discovered that tea was actually bought to England in about 1662 by Queen Catherine of Braganza, the wife of Kind Charles II. It was initially extremely expensive and so only the elite classes could afford it but as time went by it became more affordable and therefore accessible to ordinary people. The little poem around the top of the painting that I've written reads: 'Queen Catherine of Braganza was rather partial to her tea. She said it kept her calm and restored her sanity. The King did, the Queen did and then the Court did too. Until the whole of England enjoyed a daily brew'.
MATS Bootcamp - Aretha Franklin & Her Bag of Bling
And the bag belongs to ... Aretha Franklin! It's a bag full of opulence and glamour fit for the Queen of Soul herself! I have to confess, this is an updated version, as I did repaint Aretha after I submitted my piece, because I was in such a rush to finish in time I really wasn't happy with the way she came out originally!
So, the first month of Bootcamp is a wrap and as usual I have learnt an absolute tonne. There's something about having a deadline to meet and actually posting your work into a gallery that pushes you beyond all your expectations. Not to mention everything you learn from the Facebook community where fellow Matsians generously share their tips and knowledge. On Monday our next mini assignment will be revealed, which I wait for with great curiosity and anticipation.
In the meantime why not check out the marvellously inspiring Gallery of Bootcamp Art, I think there's over 600 pieces of work to view. It always amazes me how different everyones interpretation of the assignment is!
Mats Bootcamp 2018 - Who's Bag Is This?
Throughout January I have been working away on the first Bootcamp Assignment of the year. Having illustrated the contents of my own bag, we were then asked to imagine and illustrate what we thought might be in the bag of someone famous. In hindsight, perhaps I should have added a few more things to make it a little more obvious, since my bag of contents definitely had a large dose of creative license. But for now, can you guess whose bag I had to illustrate?
A Few Moments of Peace and Quiet!
My goodness life is moving at a fast pace at the moment and I'm trying to cram so much in. Those moments of peace and quiet are rare and golden! Molly Mouse knows all about that, she's grabbing 5 minutes of calm to drink her tea in peaceful serenity before the children arrive home from school and chaos ensues!
