tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59840997630082527572024-03-14T00:46:30.669-07:00Chicks with Balls by Judy TakácsMy name is Judy Takács, I’m an artist, I live in Ohio and paint people.
Whether I paint Goddesses, Women or Chicks with Balls, my work has a feminist focus as I attempt to save the world one painting at a time!Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-62923853266039768472023-10-11T10:57:00.002-07:002023-11-12T14:44:19.863-08:00A Tale of Two Titles<p> <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16pt;">In keeping with The Goddess Project theme of re-examining the mythology of all the religions, I painted the </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16pt;">Necessary Evil </b><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16pt;">triptych. It features two wise older women playing the roles of God and the Devil, in bathrobes, chatting over cups of endless coffee. Reminiscent of my own girls weekends where we begin with breakfast and talk nonstop into the lazy hours of the afternoon, these old friends strategize ways to fix the ills of the world. </span><a href="https://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2022/05/necessary-evila-triptychshowing-at-12th.html" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16pt;">Read more about the triptych here.</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVZL8zrNgzRvUtjEWEN8se5HYPH8sBQc442dYfo5Pqsjtxt5lSN02SsW4dUhHtnWWeUkTHXS4dNxRQ7ZxTfORtMrnpupfjSF4h3d2z30uFWFdthxeSd-aU5b7cnSvrNRvo6Nle1_RWMcSoB-lgXxPPHGccNfiLRBpFwobMdW7-5__pX5KZcDUGMciVN4/s3600/Necessary%20Evil%20Triptych%20smaller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="3600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVZL8zrNgzRvUtjEWEN8se5HYPH8sBQc442dYfo5Pqsjtxt5lSN02SsW4dUhHtnWWeUkTHXS4dNxRQ7ZxTfORtMrnpupfjSF4h3d2z30uFWFdthxeSd-aU5b7cnSvrNRvo6Nle1_RWMcSoB-lgXxPPHGccNfiLRBpFwobMdW7-5__pX5KZcDUGMciVN4/w640-h264/Necessary%20Evil%20Triptych%20smaller.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">All three panels of the <b>Necessary Evil Triptych</b> were on display in giclee format at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport for almost 6 months without a blip on the radar.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslsi5uvu4gpIyevO1Jx0lXVxeJ6PfNxrY4-CgcSbeK1srJi5EIdD3t3Glfgu82hA8vE63Gq5pvofWIdX0SQ72FZ1hJAerGN8Ah0B2DC3NH2ukEppNNEG1ZE58hAgPD-TrFpD20fBKhyQH-tPEMqWpT1ZACcZXlpiTe8J-AQbamH5jZuGY4M7iEY7kJjU/s4032/IMG_9886.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslsi5uvu4gpIyevO1Jx0lXVxeJ6PfNxrY4-CgcSbeK1srJi5EIdD3t3Glfgu82hA8vE63Gq5pvofWIdX0SQ72FZ1hJAerGN8Ah0B2DC3NH2ukEppNNEG1ZE58hAgPD-TrFpD20fBKhyQH-tPEMqWpT1ZACcZXlpiTe8J-AQbamH5jZuGY4M7iEY7kJjU/w640-h480/IMG_9886.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Necessary Evil Triptych showed for 3 months in 2022 at the May Show at Lakeland. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdaY5hx7QdLtciZU-W_UEGnmCx_e_dH_7ffaxp6QzbjkQeGUVMkqY7_cxSt_xg4dP-J3vNYun8sW-6q8JjlEYs9nHTV9ZgbXHj6fVaWQ2RttGJRMxV6uSesf5ZGiGEE54neiPNlCooof1xb16c59CuZqflayBNKBrWjFuGLBfsImg4B7KPJI0PEzkl8Q/s4032/IMG_7671.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdaY5hx7QdLtciZU-W_UEGnmCx_e_dH_7ffaxp6QzbjkQeGUVMkqY7_cxSt_xg4dP-J3vNYun8sW-6q8JjlEYs9nHTV9ZgbXHj6fVaWQ2RttGJRMxV6uSesf5ZGiGEE54neiPNlCooof1xb16c59CuZqflayBNKBrWjFuGLBfsImg4B7KPJI0PEzkl8Q/w640-h480/IMG_7671.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 21.3333px;">I told the world what it was about when I featured it on Living Figuratively!<br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="371" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/efv09u_e8E4" width="642" youtube-src-id="efv09u_e8E4"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I even sported my devilish horns and mustered Star Trek-inspired acting ability to rival that of William Shatner!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRlWUCtkPedw8weTf75AAXIB3z54bhdzYcRKTofDi5ThIezOKPIk0u_Q1BGZdcFoqWAv7GyTjOtb7W5SqZuUXU5H82FfHiZeMmTSpl-VdqBGv0nilHSm0EJ7QyEfyI3XzzOYA0XJ3-RIiAniAAeR8DcOUWg82n1ZLtJVdyzNYALhlt6j2NglLnhzs_VI/s2001/IMG_7932.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1939" data-original-width="2001" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRlWUCtkPedw8weTf75AAXIB3z54bhdzYcRKTofDi5ThIezOKPIk0u_Q1BGZdcFoqWAv7GyTjOtb7W5SqZuUXU5H82FfHiZeMmTSpl-VdqBGv0nilHSm0EJ7QyEfyI3XzzOYA0XJ3-RIiAniAAeR8DcOUWg82n1ZLtJVdyzNYALhlt6j2NglLnhzs_VI/s320/IMG_7932.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Nary a peep there either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">In July 2023, it was displayed again at the Ashtabula Arts Center as part of my solo show, <b>The Goddess Project: Warriors.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz441nrxA0zKtUpEspkUd9_vds7z3eTly_Rcmy3CQ6hnKR1DrRE8i4sokpYHgVH71k0Fa5omjDV-yq4ofkyhfV91WI4OzRl8ssUChFbL1oWLq9dHqwJgM5y8E8WaMrx77s7nYDn5ysHguJBUZ8J8LuzzxOgmJgRiLMw3RpG8kTRh-5Xs2WHk9KNWON9lw/s504/Goddess%20Project%20Warriors%20Post%20Card%20front-Layout%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz441nrxA0zKtUpEspkUd9_vds7z3eTly_Rcmy3CQ6hnKR1DrRE8i4sokpYHgVH71k0Fa5omjDV-yq4ofkyhfV91WI4OzRl8ssUChFbL1oWLq9dHqwJgM5y8E8WaMrx77s7nYDn5ysHguJBUZ8J8LuzzxOgmJgRiLMw3RpG8kTRh-5Xs2WHk9KNWON9lw/s320/Goddess%20Project%20Warriors%20Post%20Card%20front-Layout%201.jpg" width="229" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">This third showing was very different.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEeKUOkGMe4BEZI2JAK1Hwn3YF2V9JrlshDg0M8IR3TW_uJRi0-VUvykEHg0R_1boFo92RIIq8Dw53Wp5rKYo7rTWYmn-NjOYN-r81Ypt14iB6mTvSIRWxjQk8vCpdXGm5Rr-H1SDBFM4PlhrdykyKZ-c1n3ARfRez72DPMDq8qaOPAxMQ5eUTPf3VtM/s4032/IMG_1673.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEeKUOkGMe4BEZI2JAK1Hwn3YF2V9JrlshDg0M8IR3TW_uJRi0-VUvykEHg0R_1boFo92RIIq8Dw53Wp5rKYo7rTWYmn-NjOYN-r81Ypt14iB6mTvSIRWxjQk8vCpdXGm5Rr-H1SDBFM4PlhrdykyKZ-c1n3ARfRez72DPMDq8qaOPAxMQ5eUTPf3VtM/w640-h480/IMG_1673.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">There’s a metaphor of how a single mosquito can wreak quite a bit of havoc under the covers in a dark bedroom. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">In Ashtabula, there was one very vocal and busy mosquito who worked very hard to let everyone know she was offended by the Necessary Evil Triptych, along with much of my work in the show. Whether it was boobs, blasphemy, bodily autonomy, or all three, she thought my paintings were not suitable for children coming to the center for art camps and music lessons. Never mind that most kids nowadays have access to all that the boobs, blasphemy, bodily autonomy and more that the internet and social media offers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I have to be flattered though, at how extensively she researched my work . She watched my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@judytakacs5721">Living Figuratively videos</a> and quoted specific time markers where I got a Judeo-Christian bible story or character all wrong. The Greek myths I busted were only offensive because of the breasts. She researched my past work and lampooned the irreverence of my Chicks with Balls Project…not recognizing that she herself might also be a Chick with Balls; boldly speaking out and doing what she feels is best to protect her children. Quite a few of the women who posed for the Chicks project were deeply faithful, some were Pro-Life Christians. They all connected with the female empowerment aspect of the project though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">This lone dissenter embarked upon an extensive email campaign, sending numerous, detailed, well-written and lengthy correspondences. She enlisted her pastor and friends to join in this effort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">She even started a well-designed website, featuring me and my work as the villain in the Ashtabula Art scene. There was even an online petition to sign!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">A woman after my own heart, this very active activist, also wrote letters to the editor of the local paper about my offensive show, and how it should be permanently removed from the art center. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">She got her wish because my show was scheduled to close July 29 anyway. I brought the work home. It was never intended as a permanent installation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">As much trouble as her campaign was…for the Art Center especially…I was definitely honored how intensely my work moved her! The worst thing an artist can suffer is to be ignored. She studied my work way more than people who actually like it! And, to her credit, she is an educated and well-spoken person who writes well. Unlike many of her compatriots in policing liberal ideas, she knows the difference between their, they’re and there…and also your and you're.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Perhaps this woman is my Type A, Virgo, doppelganger…though, as I've seen with doppelgangers in movies and books, it’s probably best if we never meet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">With the Necessary Evil Triptych home safe and sound, it was now mine to decided where she should be submitted next. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">My doppelganger made me wonder, is the painting really so evil…or is it just the title? I’ve had people of faith tell me they loved it because it brings God to their kitchen table, as a kind-hearted loving entity…literally warm and fuzzy in bathrobes! Fans have also enjoyed the wise grandmotherly female energy it conveys. And truly, I’m not starting a religion, or presenting icons to be worshipped, I’m just offering a different perspective to ponder. What if we saw our deities and creators as kindly old women…would there be less fire, brimstone, vengeance and violence in the world? Women are really all about creating stuff, not so much destroying it. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The painting really isn't about evil at all. Necessary Evil needed a new name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">In my quest to find a new name for the painting I turned to the Bible, where I remembered verses about loving your enemy. </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16pt;">I've always believed that if you’re looking for something in the bible…reasons to do evil, or reasons to do good…you will find it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Jesus came through for me with just the right quote in Matthew 5:44.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 16pt;">“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">It was a perfect metaphor for the painting…God and the Devil sitting down together in peace; God literally doing the hard work of loving your enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">was also a great metaphor for me and my doppelganger…though, like I said, I’d prefer never to meet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The Necessary Evil triptych now has a new name; <b>Matthew 5:44</b>. I submitted the center panel to a wholesome and prestigious art show I submit to every year, in the very conservative deep south. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kj6FUQTdINo5Vb2IEF0F9sDTpTR7X539-UmvUsf8zi0avU93eVQeJmXw3XVYdSuFNA98zzVbmlSoZ8dFopMboa0ilr25uJUSnfs_8K0yra5CnltmwJ21Dngl5sqeyVyZvCEGC6ZNq65N4CDjgDJSK6lrQTd2byboJZ3iZWZFCoIIYWMgtWITtiSvIpM/s4032/IMG_2403.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kj6FUQTdINo5Vb2IEF0F9sDTpTR7X539-UmvUsf8zi0avU93eVQeJmXw3XVYdSuFNA98zzVbmlSoZ8dFopMboa0ilr25uJUSnfs_8K0yra5CnltmwJ21Dngl5sqeyVyZvCEGC6ZNq65N4CDjgDJSK6lrQTd2byboJZ3iZWZFCoIIYWMgtWITtiSvIpM/w300-h400/IMG_2403.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I’m thrilled to say, <b>Matthew 5:44</b> was accepted to Southwest Artists, <b>Art of the Heartland</b> show at the Mena Gallery in Arkansas…and, that she won the <b>First Place Prize! </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Empowered by this sweet and calculated triumph of Good over Evil…I took a second look at the left and right panels of my triptych. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUaNkHrZVKNjBQUrZeUjPj8AUX817_ARlAfnsL2dvUgtyd0v6fdQlDaNML1OZPJ2NkrY2rt0bso5iE_sZvffMJRsC0L7rGf1FptkDtXriGDSdZ16577d73hdczqGcw3zbUkQhd78lVLEQcW4uY1k3YRI0voAsNLlXfDxgPVZbW8Vf2WnmkuKkMaPP96Q/s1794/JTakacs_Matthew5.44The%20HolyGrail_oilonlinen_48x30diptych_2022_8000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1794" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUaNkHrZVKNjBQUrZeUjPj8AUX817_ARlAfnsL2dvUgtyd0v6fdQlDaNML1OZPJ2NkrY2rt0bso5iE_sZvffMJRsC0L7rGf1FptkDtXriGDSdZ16577d73hdczqGcw3zbUkQhd78lVLEQcW4uY1k3YRI0voAsNLlXfDxgPVZbW8Vf2WnmkuKkMaPP96Q/w640-h397/JTakacs_Matthew5.44The%20HolyGrail_oilonlinen_48x30diptych_2022_8000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">It is no accident that they work so well together…I design all my dyptychs and triptychs to work independently or in alternate arrangements. They are also for sale as singles. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I gave this diptych a new name, <b>Matthew 5:44, The Holy Grail</b>…Loving your enemy being the possibly unatainable holy grail. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I entered her into the<b> Annual National Juried Exhibition</b> at the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art. The WMOCA is a miracle of a museum, focusing on contemporary figurative realism. Masterminded by Museum Director, David Hummer, WMOCA proudly sits in the historic downtown of sweet, creative, welcoming and conservative Wausau, Wisconsin. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Lo and Behold, she came through for me again! <b>Matthew 5:44, The Holy Grail,</b> was awarded Second Place by Museum Director, David Hummer…and I couldn't be more thrilled! I attended the jam packed Opening Reception with my honey and was honored to be part of such a prestigious National Show!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu6pOqyNyu2Qf7O56Nv1xIKYP-IXlI1ixjvxfyO_HVLxgPQfWaOuFwxdL7jWOfEPohG_005MIaMqTRo7Dyd9r1VEb83ARSIE9yj5PyFA7AnrFtUp3o_aUJOc-91-ZABPVW_l9A2zApOhT_K8w_zr2AdcjnvPcZzKMNQjWeGrnYx8FpjiRaATon_dfjds/s3178/IMG_3524.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3178" data-original-width="2136" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu6pOqyNyu2Qf7O56Nv1xIKYP-IXlI1ixjvxfyO_HVLxgPQfWaOuFwxdL7jWOfEPohG_005MIaMqTRo7Dyd9r1VEb83ARSIE9yj5PyFA7AnrFtUp3o_aUJOc-91-ZABPVW_l9A2zApOhT_K8w_zr2AdcjnvPcZzKMNQjWeGrnYx8FpjiRaATon_dfjds/w430-h640/IMG_3524.jpeg" width="430" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">So, if that’s not incentive to love my enemies and pray for them, I’m not sure what is! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 21.3333px;"><b>Seventh Annual National Juried Exhibition</b></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">309 McClellan Street</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Wausau, Wisconsin</span></div></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16pt;">Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 to 3:00</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://wmoca.org">wmoca.org</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16pt;"><b style="font-size: 16pt;">Seventh Annual National Juried Exhibition <br /></b>continues through December 30th.</span></div></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-38257155405579001022023-10-11T08:16:00.002-07:002023-10-11T08:16:34.823-07:00Your Body, Your Decision<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-uqp4d_qDmvu2pYNem1ibXUmHvq2dERoc3_qhMVeD5Q-MjUsOnxRSTPfdbTvskWVp8exsq6qUrMINRNydy3Rc4bur1lZIvh-h73G_cuKhyGO04-X8Gy18rpzqqORchQ0TUbssAIHzMHWefVGMtdaiR53kpoGVgDi7bxE7YWJ3zgrQXrphZuRrppf-us/s4047/My%20Body%20My%20Decision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4047" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-uqp4d_qDmvu2pYNem1ibXUmHvq2dERoc3_qhMVeD5Q-MjUsOnxRSTPfdbTvskWVp8exsq6qUrMINRNydy3Rc4bur1lZIvh-h73G_cuKhyGO04-X8Gy18rpzqqORchQ0TUbssAIHzMHWefVGMtdaiR53kpoGVgDi7bxE7YWJ3zgrQXrphZuRrppf-us/w398-h640/My%20Body%20My%20Decision.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">My Body, My Decision<br />Judy Takács<br />oil on canvas with collage</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 21.3333px;">With her classic visage, my model reminded me of Michelangelo's monolithic David statue. His curly locks, sweeping eyelashes and smooth marble body are powerful, muscular and androgynous.</span><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq2C_aWFlxxmq-92YtVLga3-QEjV7xDM5lMtKBMF9lj77oirXhKDOvdwnbP_a8xo92WiQpOjDKtpKnSnZ4v9qX-MUMcaT3UYeT459pqg-uCSbaLis-JRiYCNcdQTR7Dl_P6Uqbifopf1mNIEaxUIMypJeb5EnwnpGkJNSpYDSYJy3iZM5iK_tzGunjzs/s1200/'David'_by_Michelangelo_Fir_JBU002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq2C_aWFlxxmq-92YtVLga3-QEjV7xDM5lMtKBMF9lj77oirXhKDOvdwnbP_a8xo92WiQpOjDKtpKnSnZ4v9qX-MUMcaT3UYeT459pqg-uCSbaLis-JRiYCNcdQTR7Dl_P6Uqbifopf1mNIEaxUIMypJeb5EnwnpGkJNSpYDSYJy3iZM5iK_tzGunjzs/w426-h640/'David'_by_Michelangelo_Fir_JBU002.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">David<br />Michelangelo Buonarroti<br />Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">It is notable that iconic, idealized male sculptures have all their limbs intact…unlike poor iconic Venus De Milo.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD6bq4PdNRyi36yJ9lAYs50XDuXkJl6VtKrTtRCFqyuipe5eu6piV7lZ2jrqgo53raTeqz66dBd1_ELDGI6CF3w_IL4o5GmoXbqS3c9YTeOBIbhDahbvn27a4P2Ts2vf42C_PFGmv4kICoVmZ8BQu7UNkgx58cTXQU_lJW7hAroKNrv_G4qxTpPgTJqQ/s2821/Venus%20De%20Milo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD6bq4PdNRyi36yJ9lAYs50XDuXkJl6VtKrTtRCFqyuipe5eu6piV7lZ2jrqgo53raTeqz66dBd1_ELDGI6CF3w_IL4o5GmoXbqS3c9YTeOBIbhDahbvn27a4P2Ts2vf42C_PFGmv4kICoVmZ8BQu7UNkgx58cTXQU_lJW7hAroKNrv_G4qxTpPgTJqQ/w340-h640/Venus%20De%20Milo.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Venus De Milo<br />Alexandros of Antioch<br />Louvre, Paris</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">In the Judeo-Christian bible, David, a small but confident boy, bravely conquers the giant, Goliath, who has been terrorizing his city.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To re-imagine this story through a feminist lens, I cast my female model in Michelangelo’s David pose. A female underdog, she is poised to take down the patriarchy, as symbolized by the American flag, armed with a coat hanger that bears a message.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Patriarchal rule has, for eons, oppressed a woman’s right to education, equality, ownership, custody and even the right to make healthcare and reproductive decisions about her own body. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Currently, heartbeat bills, gag orders, threats to defund Planned <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Parenthood, and a conservative majority Supreme Court which struck down Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022… have taken the right to make this life-altering and very private reproductive healthcare decision away from women in Ohio and much of the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To make our voices heard in Ohio, pro-choice activists hang coat-</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">hangers, gruesome reminders of pre-Roe v.Wade back-alley abortions, on the fence surrounding the Ohio Statehouse.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I added bright pink laminated messages to the ones I hung.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“You’ll never stop abortions, just safe ones,” “Someone you love has had an abortion,” <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerri_Santoro" target="_blank">“Google Geri Santoro”,</a> and an attempt to reach across the aisle with my pink hanger messages, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2011/11/14/142300606/ayn-rand-conservatives-pro-abortion-anti-religion-inspiration" target="_blank">“Ayn Rand was Pro-Choice.”</a> Love her or hate her, she was Pro-Choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I also pointed out that, “A dead body has more bodily autonomy than a living woman.” As a human being, you have the right to decide whether or not to donate a kidney, bone marrow, platelets, blood or tissue. No court in the land can force you to, even if someone will die without it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That right extends to your cadaver. No court in the land can force your dead body to donate a cornea, a heart, liver, lungs, kidneys…even though people will die without them. The tissue and organs from your dead body can actually help or save 58 different people!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And, yet, a living woman’s whole body can be forced into service, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">mental and physical, sometimes risking her health and life, for nine months to a lifetime…in a land without reproductive freedom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A living woman does not even have the bodily autonomy of a corpse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I am pro-abortion, just like I’m pro-appendectomy, pro-mastectomy, pro-gall bladder surgery. I’d rather not have any of these surgeries, but they must be safe and available if you or I or someone you love needs one. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">It's not all bad though. Right now, in Ohio we have hope. ISSUE ONE, The Reproductive Rights Amendment, is on the ballot for this November. You can read the <a href="https://ohioansunitedforreproductiverights.win/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OURR-Amendment.pdf" target="_blank">full text of the amendment here</a>, <a href="https://ohioansunitedforreproductiverights.win/" target="_blank">donate what you can</a> and VOTE YES on ISSUE ONE before November 7<sup>th</sup>!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>Trust Women.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaBsEQzSYRRT5ayDA1jSEZzdhDvR6_yIT9GV-fxZt9m9zjthUUCLE53b3Pw7nr3ZCnvG1Fr6NVAhc3PX1IM4VVWSeP0-Dn4iSYjnff12vP_qp7OjlgeyYri2wo5lX-u8QXPk5x0TwMXDs-G30aUlvy-qat6BDC8jNcZubIpdN5nNb4cMJtL7xTbmNUno/s3995/Trust%20Women%20better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3995" data-original-width="2495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaBsEQzSYRRT5ayDA1jSEZzdhDvR6_yIT9GV-fxZt9m9zjthUUCLE53b3Pw7nr3ZCnvG1Fr6NVAhc3PX1IM4VVWSeP0-Dn4iSYjnff12vP_qp7OjlgeyYri2wo5lX-u8QXPk5x0TwMXDs-G30aUlvy-qat6BDC8jNcZubIpdN5nNb4cMJtL7xTbmNUno/w400-h640/Trust%20Women%20better.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Trust Women<br />Judy Takács<br />oil on canvas with collage</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 21.3333px;">It's not all bad though. Right now, My Body, My Decision, Trust Women and my other Pro Choice paintings are on view at Chagrin Arts as part of my solo show designed to reach across the aisle to those who are Pro Life.<br /><br />The show asks viewers to see that the fingers of anti-abortion legislation will, at some point hurt someone you love in ways you hadn't considered. It is my hope that Ohio viewers will come from the show and decide to <br />VOTE YES on ISSUE ONE this November.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Mothers, Women, Children, Choices</span></h1><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chagrin Arts<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">88 North Main Street<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Chagrin Falls, Ohio<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://chagrinarts.org">chagrinarts.org</a></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gallery Hours: M W F 11:00 to 4:00</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Show continues through November 17, 2023</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p></div>Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-39953973801829244662022-05-21T11:00:00.010-07:002022-05-21T11:12:51.030-07:00Necessary Evil…a Triptych…showing at 12th Annual May Show at Lakeland<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiiXO6KzllPDbTE_BqMkfTQsXMj2N9dTL8eBO7bIl34_SjaO6x140eS09gg1XnkSo95ORICeRoWmYGwHxDiIrvNls3GQNGhlTMpTHDbtygH90LfRgAYlBAlVUzrYyGjDpI983Taqgkt3YPgxVmGiOoIJ_g9FLbf-Bk4X-zdJw_rjAYHAQSm6DFjGF/s13200/Necessary%20Evil%20Triptych.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5461" data-original-width="13200" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiiXO6KzllPDbTE_BqMkfTQsXMj2N9dTL8eBO7bIl34_SjaO6x140eS09gg1XnkSo95ORICeRoWmYGwHxDiIrvNls3GQNGhlTMpTHDbtygH90LfRgAYlBAlVUzrYyGjDpI983Taqgkt3YPgxVmGiOoIJ_g9FLbf-Bk4X-zdJw_rjAYHAQSm6DFjGF/w637-h262/Necessary%20Evil%20Triptych.jpg" width="637" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Necessary Evil Triptych<br />Judy Takács<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />There’s an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enemy_Within_%28Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series%29#:~:text=Scott%20assists%20in%20beaming%20a%20dog-like%20animal%20specimen,%E2%80%93%20one%20completely%20docile%20and%20the%20other%20vicious">episode of Star Trek</a> where the transporter malfunctions and splits you into two versions of yourself during the beaming up process. One of you is all good and the other one is all bad.<br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84rXStAhFkUYNxtPCr2e-7aB368g0vz4W6UsCSXQRDKb7CW5S9nv1i4wTHM7xV-6TmkMau3JhEODuxmhvMMvbBFY-TcvCUcFKrpXCb-c8nQqYU_aTlPrA0bR32R_8eaqv0k16zkcNA66Zo9uN2jIom4q9GVVWCqsoZDW-EugvSyoa48QeSzhhJQjD/s1200/captain-kirk-stark-trek-william-shatner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1200" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84rXStAhFkUYNxtPCr2e-7aB368g0vz4W6UsCSXQRDKb7CW5S9nv1i4wTHM7xV-6TmkMau3JhEODuxmhvMMvbBFY-TcvCUcFKrpXCb-c8nQqYU_aTlPrA0bR32R_8eaqv0k16zkcNA66Zo9uN2jIom4q9GVVWCqsoZDW-EugvSyoa48QeSzhhJQjD/s320/captain-kirk-stark-trek-william-shatner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thanks to filtered vs. stark lighting effects, melodious vs. bravura fight music and of course William Shatner’s razor-sharp acting skills…he can pivot on a dime between tortured closeups and the charming eye twinkle… we very quickly figure out which Captain Kirk is good and who is the evil twin.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSSFkRuno5a1sQzLAyPWn_d2tbSTl8fsNWUsxss9tyatGmwr3MuVvTo3K-D3XsfpE3MFjVobomJOdo0sHPh3kzuVf9e_JxqiCBo0dyN5eIUPJroiNZKMGHqCWCvjVqh0CrFhz-Ee0lj00606Zah5gMOuVuRq1NLSxudBzTzDjdJgR7OIrzk6kM_PO/s694/The-Enemy-Within-james-t-kirk-16364574-694-530-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="694" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSSFkRuno5a1sQzLAyPWn_d2tbSTl8fsNWUsxss9tyatGmwr3MuVvTo3K-D3XsfpE3MFjVobomJOdo0sHPh3kzuVf9e_JxqiCBo0dyN5eIUPJroiNZKMGHqCWCvjVqh0CrFhz-Ee0lj00606Zah5gMOuVuRq1NLSxudBzTzDjdJgR7OIrzk6kM_PO/s320/The-Enemy-Within-james-t-kirk-16364574-694-530-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It takes the whole episode, however, to learn the true moral of this episode; that, in order to be a fully effective captain of a starship, one needs to embrace their good<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>and</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>evil sides; to temper kindness with strength, to temper nuanced deliberation with decisiveness, to temper heart with balls.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QTOMl7BkU-WZCNqz-DS9DkgeDbx3sufh6GU5AqpZ17a9Z0EUZhBARJ3VWnFS-XYbzIIjiw_m7-zepEXqUIgL6KTu8o1x7tyLa9w_Z60J62o1SRbIQTmdVNDAT7jIniqiNvw9RNgTG_oYc3Xp2EDBV2CtYoLtGi562BB9YqbqT4CNnLWc5ErRvQsn/s740/st-enemy20.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="740" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QTOMl7BkU-WZCNqz-DS9DkgeDbx3sufh6GU5AqpZ17a9Z0EUZhBARJ3VWnFS-XYbzIIjiw_m7-zepEXqUIgL6KTu8o1x7tyLa9w_Z60J62o1SRbIQTmdVNDAT7jIniqiNvw9RNgTG_oYc3Xp2EDBV2CtYoLtGi562BB9YqbqT4CNnLWc5ErRvQsn/s320/st-enemy20.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The same balance between good and evil is also imperative for the characters from the Judeo-Christian Bible who many believe rule and shape our world.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /><br /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the Judeo-Christian bible, the Devil began in heaven as an angel. He tried to organize a coup, which obviously angers God, who thrusts him out of heaven…Lucifer, the fallen angel. In the bible, God doesn’t actually put Lucifer in charge of Hell, but the piggy-back mythology surrounding fun-to-hate, fear and illustrate Satan, grew exponentially with the coming millennia.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> The Devil’s job title grew closer to that of Hades, Lord of the underworld in Greek Mythology. Art, literature, politics, religion and power put Satan in charge of Hell as its evil ruler…pitchfork, fire and brimstone at the ready to punish you for eternity for your sins.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Satan is pure evil. God is pure good…or is that mythology too?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">My conjecture is that without the threat of punishment, Gods admonishments to behave can fall on deaf ears…not all of us are good just “for goodness sake”…as the atheist and agnostic mantra goes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s like a town without a police department. Judge and Jury with no executioner.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHu3NHHnFiGnTjRQDLPk_N7XySr4p1_IOysHzoqRDKhWz4OHOxBltGq3L16UwePLo_UAx65Oco8nesFVCaJbtqrGsALOaYvw5aK-u4YQUvhpm18NmSXd2yNn3PDWoiX-hNvjjI4BqTmpx3QTlq2zNpNVTxSMtvJ1HVPtQdOg591yK85Hwgpu4sLbNQ/s3677/Necessary%20Evil%20Center.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3677" data-original-width="3636" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHu3NHHnFiGnTjRQDLPk_N7XySr4p1_IOysHzoqRDKhWz4OHOxBltGq3L16UwePLo_UAx65Oco8nesFVCaJbtqrGsALOaYvw5aK-u4YQUvhpm18NmSXd2yNn3PDWoiX-hNvjjI4BqTmpx3QTlq2zNpNVTxSMtvJ1HVPtQdOg591yK85Hwgpu4sLbNQ/w475-h481/Necessary%20Evil%20Center.jpeg" width="475" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Necessary Evil, center panel<br />Judy Takács</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Necessary Evil Triptych is the latest painting from The Goddess Project, where I re-imagine the characters from the mythology of all the religions through a contemporary and analytical feminist lens.<br /><br />My conjecture is that Satan does God’s dirty work. Though in the Old Testament God does plenty of His own dirty work…sending plagues, floods, obliteration, torture, mass killings of adult sinners and innocent infants alike…destruction to punish those who don’t obey the myriad list of rules He has set forth…don’t kill each other, don’t steal, don’t eat shrimp…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">And, in punishing the guilty, the devil is actually doing the tough and thankless job of meting out justice…which, as citizens of the United States, we hold dear as a very good thing indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Devil is Bad Cop to God’s Good Cop.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">God is Judge and Jury, the Devil is Executioner.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Rewards, as well as consequences are necessary to live in a fair and just society.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The branches of justice work together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have re-imagined God and Devil as old friends…as women…getting together for a long and soulful breakfast chat (in bathrobes with endless coffee) about what the heck they should do to fix the world.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Brainstorming ideas, they have at their disposal, plagues, locusts, frogs, apples of temptation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">God has brought a holy grail…but it is tipped implying that perfection on earth will never be achieved…perfection IS the holy grail.<br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiccwyg58pZwr7jDnm7UHfAAf1dsGCPAcrEx8P9WhcdTnWulSCWwAd9Fhve7STB51R43LgOzdNRmfr3wlctf0zxGnLVkn0Mv_qfcCbY-2zXRC_x_AlHxWLBkKWls8K-ZTuY-UdsJ2q2agf6Nx2gdpEJpffLlDulJhpklllsWfQQTbidfdQnGYG313l/s4506/Necessary%20Evil%20God.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4506" data-original-width="3600" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiccwyg58pZwr7jDnm7UHfAAf1dsGCPAcrEx8P9WhcdTnWulSCWwAd9Fhve7STB51R43LgOzdNRmfr3wlctf0zxGnLVkn0Mv_qfcCbY-2zXRC_x_AlHxWLBkKWls8K-ZTuY-UdsJ2q2agf6Nx2gdpEJpffLlDulJhpklllsWfQQTbidfdQnGYG313l/w384-h481/Necessary%20Evil%20God.jpeg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">Necessary Evil, left panel<br />Judy Takács</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiNqCkKctbIATIaL-4RbCm08StomZ6AhoIHrSsVk0uvudC12zepLQYrDdyX3krwLR2qspFaQY5QnH0IC9e7M18Fp7vyYlwOBnqdPgNcInP7XGERQe-xVK960wU7ygnsQHrZZCdmyiSfqOLRmKPMIzf2-dcMdwOwNDpOUtgRVBHshJRaG_XwcrNgHQ/s4480/Necessary%20Evil%20Devil.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="3600" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiNqCkKctbIATIaL-4RbCm08StomZ6AhoIHrSsVk0uvudC12zepLQYrDdyX3krwLR2qspFaQY5QnH0IC9e7M18Fp7vyYlwOBnqdPgNcInP7XGERQe-xVK960wU7ygnsQHrZZCdmyiSfqOLRmKPMIzf2-dcMdwOwNDpOUtgRVBHshJRaG_XwcrNgHQ/w392-h489/Necessary%20Evil%20Devil.jpeg" width="392" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: small;">Necessary Evil, right panel</span><br style="font-family: times; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: small;">Judy Takács</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Satan’s former angel wings are disheveled and torn, but she still wears them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The cheeky devil, a twinkle in her eye, tries on the halo for size.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> She ultimately passes it back to God to wear. God chuckles at this, but also recognizes the irony.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This painting revisits the theme that when wise women put their heads together, much can be achieved, heaven and earth can be moved. I don’t actually believe that the devil or Hell…or Heaven for that matter…actually exist, which is why I have presented this concept in a playful manner. As for the existence of God? That’s a personal and complex belief system that I don’t peddle and appreciate when others don’t peddle theirs to me. I tell people I’m a freethinker who believes in peace, love and respect.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">I also believe in the power of women to save the world…we can, we have, we will, and we will again…and again!<br /></span><br /><br /></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thrilled to let you know that the Necessary Evil Triptych <br />has been juried into the 12th Annual May Show at Lakeland. <br />Organized each year by Gallery Director Extraordinaire, Mary Urbas, <br />this year it was Juried by Janet Bloch, <br />of the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Indiana.<br /><br />It's a fabulous show that you can definitely spend a <br />good couple hours walking through. <br />Generous gallery hours!<br />M-F 9:00 to 9:00 Saturday 9:00 to 5:00 <br />Closed Sundays, Memorial Day, May 31 and July 4th</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Open now, the show continues through July 15th at:</span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.lakelandcc.edu/gallery">Lakeland Community College</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">7700 Clocktower Drive</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kirtland, Ohio</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p>Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-72863987627383235952022-02-20T08:21:00.001-08:002022-02-20T08:21:46.373-08:00The Goddess Project: Innocents…at Chagrin Arts…Opens Sunday March 6th<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaSZxa_k9GzOpmQCuUj89wBvbnAHtZwK_Zp8egfP8UM1d-7QirD2dgmiosJGEXnRR7YpN4S1zwolo1W78GIh0DCr8gnX8vXYadCSb_cvQuMrlg3BQHeZFOZd-Lfqng-gMoS1ODDquSXUai_HpCE79Ls_DODTOgvCJytZ05Xi25hmDica3je9qIXic2=s5427" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5427" data-original-width="3397" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaSZxa_k9GzOpmQCuUj89wBvbnAHtZwK_Zp8egfP8UM1d-7QirD2dgmiosJGEXnRR7YpN4S1zwolo1W78GIh0DCr8gnX8vXYadCSb_cvQuMrlg3BQHeZFOZd-Lfqng-gMoS1ODDquSXUai_HpCE79Ls_DODTOgvCJytZ05Xi25hmDica3je9qIXic2=w400-h640" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Persephone Kept, In the Winter<br />Judy Takács<br />oil on canvas</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">My first solo show in two years, opens at Chagrin Arts, Sunday March 6<sup>th</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>with a reception from 2:00 to 4:00</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">More than four years in the making, <b>The Goddess Project</b> is my new series where I re-imagine characters and stories from the mythology of all the religions through a contemporary feminist lens.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">My solo show in the beautifully renovated Chagrin Arts gallery space right on Main Street in Chagrin Falls, is a collaboration with the <a href="https://law.uc.edu/real-world-learning/centers/ohio-innocence-project-at-cincinnati-law.html"><span style="color: blue;">Ohio Innocence Project</span></a> which advocates for and fights to free those who have been wrongfully incarcerated. I will be showing a selection of paintings of Goddesses and women from mythology, who have been wrongfully accused, unfairly punished and held captive. Through my feminist lens, these heroines ultimately prevail. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">For years now, Chagrin Arts has allied itself with the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Ohio Innocence Project,</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>a legal team whose mission is to fight for and free those who have been wrongfully incarcerated, sometimes for decades. They also work to fix the legal systems that convict the innocent. On March 20<sup>th</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I will participate in a panel discussion with the Women of the Ohio Innocence Project…true Goddesses themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br />The March 6th Opening Reception will also be the <b>book launch for my Goddess Project Book</b>, which tells the stories behind all the paintings in the Goddess Project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lIVwQDYwNaCKhdU2VkkWyWw-AAtTuHwB8xwg1fwLch1o8eIKcXU4C489KUZp9liCxT-g1eV9NgAfMHL4DCTPViRIF6SXOYZnAq2Z5H60hdbryW75ShrbNRLEZYXgG_lVVnE_726vCb4pWrANxwsE5q0ePZ_W4IfqbkPlS4skKRdxzh8wJTeP3J6t=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1500" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lIVwQDYwNaCKhdU2VkkWyWw-AAtTuHwB8xwg1fwLch1o8eIKcXU4C489KUZp9liCxT-g1eV9NgAfMHL4DCTPViRIF6SXOYZnAq2Z5H60hdbryW75ShrbNRLEZYXgG_lVVnE_726vCb4pWrANxwsE5q0ePZ_W4IfqbkPlS4skKRdxzh8wJTeP3J6t=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">72 pages, 55 full color images, $50. I’d love to sign one for you or a special Goddess you know.<br /><br />Show continues through June 12th<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>The Goddess Project: Innocents</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Opening Reception, Sunday, March 6<sup>th</sup><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>2:00 to 4:00<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Chagrin Arts<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">88 North Main Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">440 247 9700<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.chagrinarts.org/events/the-goddess-project-exhibit" target="_blank">RSVP requested here.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>The Goddess Project: Innocents<br />A Panel Discussion with artist Judy Takács and Women of the Ohio Innocence Project</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Sunday, March 20, 2:00-3:00, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Chagrin Falls Town Hall, 83 North Main Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Gallery viewing right across the street at Chagrin Arts follows at 3:00 to 4:00<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.chagrinarts.org/events/the-goddess-project-panel" target="_blank">RSVP requested here.</a></span></p>Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-28999575772203750532021-07-02T09:21:00.001-07:002021-07-02T09:21:58.847-07:00The Goddess Sphynx<p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnCIvACYVKo/YN8672lgONI/AAAAAAAABos/oD8EIfTqvrI-mkduna9u186kPc3o-6VJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/The%2BGoddess%2BSphynx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1543" height="718" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnCIvACYVKo/YN8672lgONI/AAAAAAAABos/oD8EIfTqvrI-mkduna9u186kPc3o-6VJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w540-h718/The%2BGoddess%2BSphynx.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Goddess Sphynx<br />oil on canvas</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This painting is from my Goddess Project, where I re-imagine the familiar and iconic characters from the mythology and stories of all religions through a contemporary feminist lens.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Ancient Egyptian Lore, the Sphynx was a male character; an honorable and wise guardian of the tombs, part lion, part man. The earliest and most iconic image is the Great Sphynx of Giza, guarding the pyramids, created around 2500 BC. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Over the next thousand years, with conquests and cultural appropriation, the Greeks ended up with their own version of the Sphynx, an evil and tricky one with wings and a tail…who was also now a female character.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">She was the one who asked the famous riddle you had to answer in order to pass into Thebes. What walks on four legs in the morning, 2 legs at noon and 3 legs at sundown?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you didn’t guess the right answer, she would throw you off the cliffs to your death.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, as a male icon, she was a good, wise and powerful guardian of the tombs, but as a female icon she became tricky and conniving…Got it!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is the myth that I want to bust with The Goddess Sphynx from my Goddess Project.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My Sphynx is still a woman…a Goddess no less, but I wanted to return her goodness and her wisdom, and keep her powerful.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I chose the perfect model…Shannon, a woman who had posed for my Chicks with Balls project a number of years ago.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shannon, who now proudly and happily lives her life as a woman, was born into the body of a man. It took almost 40 years of an incredibly difficult life journey for this to be corrected, and I write about her story in my Second Chicks with Balls book when she volunteered to pose for my Chicks with Balls project in 2014.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shannon was indulgent and beautiful when she posed for me as the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>all-knowing, all wise, all powerful…now female…Goddess Sphynx.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The quill pen, an ancient book of the ages, and the iconic stone image of the Egyptian Sphynx guarding the pyramids at Giza all drive the point home that she is wise and good and she is a woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Goddess Sphynx is showing for just one more week at the May Show at Lakeland College, only through July 9th. Be sure to stop by and see the fabulous company she keeps in this show, juried by Jae and Wadsworth Jarrell, founders of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AfriCOBRA" target="_blank">AfriCOBRA art movement in the 1960s. </a><br /><br />Watch when I took Living Figuratively to the May Show at Lakeland…below.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="361" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/64MOxZ2EPpg" width="607" youtube-src-id="64MOxZ2EPpg"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />One more thing…if you've been thinking about the riddle, here's the answer…its a baby who grows into an adult. Crawling on four legs in the morning, walking on two legs at noon and 3 legs, with a cane as the sun sets on their life! </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-48026326096010816122021-01-02T14:00:00.038-08:002021-01-02T15:12:35.370-08:00Epiphanies…Eve and Pandora<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEc-rZj11W4/X_D7vYL98cI/AAAAAAAABjM/5q663_i5B8UHWPlUotI9qUwP2K9LGdgswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Epiphany%2Bof%2BEve%2BFinal%2B-%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1525" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEc-rZj11W4/X_D7vYL98cI/AAAAAAAABjM/5q663_i5B8UHWPlUotI9qUwP2K9LGdgswCLcBGAsYHQ/w476-h640/Epiphany%2Bof%2BEve%2BFinal%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Epiphany of Eve<br />Judy Takács</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Eve was the first mortal woman created in the Judeo-Christian Religion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O1uoQlfoJU/X_Doiob9iuI/AAAAAAAABhM/744-QDST6ak8Pf3q7tysG0T1IzWBtjpNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Epiphany%2Bof%2BPandora%2B-%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1526" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O1uoQlfoJU/X_Doiob9iuI/AAAAAAAABhM/744-QDST6ak8Pf3q7tysG0T1IzWBtjpNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w476-h640/Epiphany%2Bof%2BPandora%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Epiphany of Pandora<br />Judy Takács</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Pandora was the first mortal woman created in Greek Mythology.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Both were curious and disobeyed divine orders by eating a forbidden apple or opening a forbidden box.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">In both stories, the consequences of this first woman’s intellectual curiosity is the downfall of all of humankind.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">These stories stand as a warning to all women to obey orders and squelch intellectual curiosity. The far-reaching fingers of this concept are laws that have kept women from education and control of their bodies, finances and property for millennia.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">If you’re tired of reading already, you can watch my New Year’s Eve Epiphany episode of Living Figuratively where I introduce both these paintings…otherwise, keep reading! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7RYVdHipKwE" width="479" youtube-src-id="7RYVdHipKwE"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><h3 style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">The Full Story</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Delving deeper into these parallel stories was fascinating.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">According to the mythology, before Pandora was created, the mortal world of the Greeks was an all-male society where the guys were obedient to the Gods, enjoyed each other’s company and all was fine.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">But, then Prometheus, kind demi-god that he was, decided that these dudes might be chilly at night and should also be able to grill their food…so, he gave them the gift of fire, which, up until then was reserved for Gods only. Zeus became quite angry at this and had poor Prometheus strapped to a mountaintop to have his liver eaten by vultures each day, only to grow back each night and repeat the process the next day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Not quite enough to satiate the God’s anger, Zues also wanted to punish the mortal men who were now enjoying fire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">So, Zeus created Pandora… the first mortal woman… as a disrupter to their blissful grilling and nightly campfires.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">When she was created, Zeus gave her as a “gift” to, of all people, Prometheus’ brother. She was a gift who came bearing a gift… a fancy and jeweled box which she was forbidden to open.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Pandora, because she was curious…intellectually curious…disobeyed and opened the box anyway.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Apparently opening the box unleashed all the evil into the world. The only thing left in the box was “hope.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Scholars are confused on this…does this mean we still have hope? Or that we have no hope because it was not released into the world?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Either way though, the disobedient curious woman messed everything up by seeking knowledge. Though, ironically, she did exactly what Zeus had her made to do…which was to mess things up on earth…but she doesn’t even get credit for carrying out the mission successfully.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Damned if you do…damned if you don’t.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Different woman, different details, but story was repeated in the Judeo-Christian bible, when God created the first mortal woman…Eve…as a wife to the hapless Adam.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">In this story, God gave them lush gardens, good food, animals to lord over, and an order to have lots of sex and babies. (an order that gets dredged up as religious freedom whenever companies like Hobby Lobby don’t want to pay for health insurance plans that include birth control.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">There was just one condition.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Do not eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Adam was down with that… lush gardens, stay naked, have lots of sex, skip the apples, don’t ask questions…got it!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Eve, however, had higher aspirations and decides to try an apple from the Tree of Knowledge.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">She shares it with her husband…and, here again, all hell breaks loose! God banishes the couple and all of humanity from the Garden of Eden to suffer on earth forever after.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">I don’t buy this. Both are stories made up by men to control women.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Through a Feminist Lens</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">I have reimagined Pandora and Eve, and shown them being rewarded for seeking knowledge; delighted and intrigued by the knowledge they have discovered.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Pandora’s box is not a sacred and forbidden thing, but a box of books from Amazon!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 14px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XI7_u6Hn3Ik/X_Dp8fbaalI/AAAAAAAABhc/h6VteqTCB3AEFaIco_ckpKYKJvm3ghO9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Epiphany%2Bof%2BPandora%2Bbox%2Bdetail%2B-%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XI7_u6Hn3Ik/X_Dp8fbaalI/AAAAAAAABhc/h6VteqTCB3AEFaIco_ckpKYKJvm3ghO9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Epiphany%2Bof%2BPandora%2Bbox%2Bdetail%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Detail from Epiphany of Pandora</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">I’ve put some intentional symbolism into the books…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You’ll see Toni Morrison’s</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">Song of Solomon</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">, Dalma Takács’ book on the afterlife,</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">The Condo</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">, Joyce Carol Oates’,</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">Because it’s Bitter and Because it’s my Heart</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">, an ancient bible, Edith Hamilton’s</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">Mythology</i><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">and, because I had an epiphany during the painting process, the last book left in Pandora’s box is Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCzJM44f6Fs/X_D8ZCR-bKI/AAAAAAAABjU/FACWXR_uINwjK8F5J_B0lc1ysOc1q4-EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Epiphany%2Bof%2BEve%2BFinal%2Bbook%2Bdetail%2B-%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCzJM44f6Fs/X_D8ZCR-bKI/AAAAAAAABjU/FACWXR_uINwjK8F5J_B0lc1ysOc1q4-EgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h448/Epiphany%2Bof%2BEve%2BFinal%2Bbook%2Bdetail%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Detail from Epiphany of Eve<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Eve has bitten from the apple…she has, in fact, enjoyed many apples.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">The snake is a skinny harmless one and a bit-player in her quest for knowledge. I show her enjoying the books…ergo knowledge…that she has discovered.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">She is also not covering herself with ivy…because she has not discovered shame about her own body like the bible story says she did.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><h3 style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Many Epiphanies</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Epiphanies abounded during the creation of these two paintings, but they all began with my beautiful model, whose name is actually Epiphany! Follow her on Instagram as epiphany.cp and on facebook as Epiphany Perkins.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">She was wicked fun to paint, and I even did some smaller studies of her before I tackled the actual painting. Both are available at my online shop, judytakacs.com</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Her close cropped short natural hair was a dream. It was perfect to show the essence, the beginning, the first mortal woman created…in both these religions. She’s a beautiful model and a lovely person too.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Here is a study I did to prepare for the Eve painting. She’s available, framed in silver and ready to ship from my <a href="https://judytakacs.com/shop/ols/products/study-for-epiphany-of-eve" target="_blank">online shop</a>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AS6b2csBztA/X_DqwKKomEI/AAAAAAAABhk/m_hJdpdz2aca4CAnMQBOF8AahKXNazh5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Eve%2BStudy%2B-%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1585" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AS6b2csBztA/X_DqwKKomEI/AAAAAAAABhk/m_hJdpdz2aca4CAnMQBOF8AahKXNazh5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w310-h400/Eve%2BStudy%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">and below is a study I did to prepare for Epiphany of Pandora. Also, framed in silver and ready to ship…and also available at my <a href="https://judytakacs.com/shop/ols/products/study-for-epiphany-of-pandora">online shop.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRHqNw7Rbo/X_DrLzr7w5I/AAAAAAAABhs/o6LyEroiTewnq6XEabHi4QMB-JNgFFKEACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Pandora%2BStudy%2B-%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2043" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRHqNw7Rbo/X_DrLzr7w5I/AAAAAAAABhs/o6LyEroiTewnq6XEabHi4QMB-JNgFFKEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Pandora%2BStudy%2B-%2B1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">If you’re wondering why I chose a Black woman to portray the first mortal women created, I will ask you why<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>wouldn’t</i></b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the first woman created be black? Really why not? Neither the Judeo-Christian bible, nor Greek Mythology ever says that God…or Zeus…was white or created white people first. It was the western and Renaissance artists that interpreted biblical and mythological characters as European-looking white people so that’s how we’ve come to think of them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Artists have great power to implant images in our heads, so, for my paintings I show Eve and Pandora as the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>same</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>beautiful black woman…because it’s the same story.<br /><br />Also, think about great black women in history and today, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Angela Davis, Kathrine Johnson, Shirley Chisholm, Kamala Harris.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>They</i></b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>were and are intellectually curious, and sometimes put into positions where they had to disobey the rules in order to do what is right and help generations to come.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">The moral of MY story is that women should absolutely seek knowledge. Be curious, learn, investigate…the world won’t crumble, but we just might save it!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16pt;">And when I say, “women” rest assured, I mean men too, and all the genders. We should all seek knowledge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-90431352258922918412020-03-29T18:14:00.001-07:002022-03-04T12:08:19.852-08:00Lauralee, Balls of Silver, Nerves of Steel<div data-block="true" data-editor="ctt3k" data-offset-key="e9pkg-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsdo53wDZ08/Xny5ZrRbClI/AAAAAAAABeY/ZY4lb8J4x2clFjAKqAYO6UzrVIogMEYHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/6.%2BLauralee%252C%2Bballs%2Bof%2Bsilver%252C%2Bnerves%2Bof%2Bsteel%25E2%2580%25A6in%2Bprogress.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1327" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nsdo53wDZ08/Xny5ZrRbClI/AAAAAAAABeY/ZY4lb8J4x2clFjAKqAYO6UzrVIogMEYHACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/6.%2BLauralee%252C%2Bballs%2Bof%2Bsilver%252C%2Bnerves%2Bof%2Bsteel%25E2%2580%25A6in%2Bprogress.jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauralee, Balls of Sliver, Nerves of Steel<br />
Judy Takács</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="e9pkg-0-0">I'm writing from the safety of my home and studio, during this Corona Spring where so many are on the front lines making sure we have food, medical supplies, healthcare, transportation, all the things that make our world livable. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of you.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just over a month ago, it was all celebration and girls weekend fun, with the opening of my Chicks with Balls show at the Zanesville Museum of Art.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, because of corona, and Ohio's "stay at home" order (that's Midwest for "lockdown") the museum is closed, and my paintings are in suspended animation; can't pick them up, can't see them.<br />Last fall, however, was when Lauralee contacted me about posing for Chicks with Balls, little did I know how inspiring her story of tragedy and recovery was, and how much more poignant it would be in the months to come.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When she posed, her story was still mostly private…an incredibly difficult one to tell…even hearing it gives me heart palpitations. Because of this, I held off on writing the blog about Lauralee, Balls of Silver, Nerves of Steel.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But, just this morning, Lauralee made the incredibly difficult and courageous move to come forward with the telling of her story. I respect and admire her immensely for this.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To me, the takeaway is that humans can go through the most horrible times imaginable, keep moving towards the light and come out of it…often with more wisdom, empathy and a sense of connectedness to the world than ever before.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Her story points to a message that the world needs to hear. And no one says it better than Lauralee herself.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="cn216-0-0">Lauralee writes,
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="cn216-0-0">“I have been reluctant to share my story until this year, the 25th anniversary of the life trauma that qualified me to be one of Judy Takács' Chicks With Balls. Some of you know some of my story. Some who sat with us in the hospital day after day know it really, really well. Some of you will be learning it for the first time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="cn216-0-0"><br /></span><span data-offset-key="amsp8-0-0">With Corona Virus suppressing all of us, it seemed no longer so necessary to hold our story so privately, as it is a story of survival and loss.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="cshln-0-0">At 9:30PM on August 19, 1994 as we were returning from vacation at my parents' and Epcott in Florida we were hit head-on by an epileptic having a seizure behind the wheel of his car just north of Marietta, Ohio on I77. He and my husband died instantly and my three children and I were critically injured. Life flights eventually ensued for my older two that same night. My youngest and I spent five days in a Marietta hospital before it became obvious, I too, needed a life flight to University Hospital, Cleveland. Intensive care was home for over a week and my 14 year old daughter was on life support initially. Eventually my older two were transferred to Metro Hospital closed head trauma unit and that began a year's worth of cognitive, physical and occupational therapies for them. My youngest, 11, was furthest from impact and released from hospital first with no home to go to. A classmate's family took him in. Three of us spent a full year in physical therapy. My oldest spent 6 months in a body cast and should be a paraplegic, but isn't (miracle). My daughter survived massive injuries with no surgery because she was too fragile for surgery (miracle). Eventually I was diagnosed with PTSD, go figure. I'd fought unconsciousness to keep my daughter trying to breathe with the firm knowledge I was the only surviving parent in that van.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="9h3t1-0-0">It took years of therapy and hard work to piece myself and children back together and we are always a work in progress with so, so many success stories we could tell. We can all prove what it means to be a good human specimen and humane so do it!
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="77h4q-0-0">I think our nation and the world has this kind of fight ahead of us but I am convinced we can get it done. So in the spirit of the survivor's journey hang on, hold tight, laugh and cry and keep going.”</span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="77h4q-0-0"><br /></span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="77h4q-0-0">Yes, Lauralee definitely has nerves of steel.</span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="77h4q-0-0"><br /></span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="77h4q-0-0">The Balls of Silver she is holding are her own creation. She is a metal work and jewelry artist and sculpture and she is holding a beautiful sculptural work she has forged from Silver…Balls of Silver.</span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="77h4q-0-0"><br /></span></span></div><div style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">2022 Addendum: Thrilled to announce that Lauralee, Balls of Silver, Nerves of Steel was accepted to the Portrait Society of America International Exhibition as part of the Select Fifty category. This is the best my work has ever done in this prestigious exhibition that I have been entering since 2010, so, needless to say…yet again…that I am thrilled!</div></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-78955579753995299722020-02-05T05:44:00.001-08:002020-02-05T05:44:24.195-08:00Maria, Incognito In KimonoCounting down like crazy for the upcoming Chicks with Balls show at the Zanesville Museum of Art, (It opens in 8 days!) but I would be remiss if I didn’t give you at least a little teaser of one of my most recent and most favorite portraits from the collection that is included in the show!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZ6fIxeAHFA/XjrD-L6iWmI/AAAAAAAABdg/XN367VWpLugBq3cSfeVs69cQKZO0OxlBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4.%2BMaria%2Bincognito%2BIn%2Bkimono%2Bdetail%2Bteaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZ6fIxeAHFA/XjrD-L6iWmI/AAAAAAAABdg/XN367VWpLugBq3cSfeVs69cQKZO0OxlBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/4.%2BMaria%2Bincognito%2BIn%2Bkimono%2Bdetail%2Bteaser.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria, Incognito In Kimono…a detail<br />
Judy Takács</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Opening Reception:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Chicks with Balls:<br />Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, February 13, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5:00 to 7:00</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The long-awaited SECOND Chicks with Balls<br />launches at the Opening Reception.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gallery Talk at the Zanesville Museum of Art:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Chicks with Balls: You, me, and every woman we know</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Saturday, February 15th, 2020</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">2:00-3:00<br /><br /><a href="http://zanesvilleart.org/">zanesvilleart.org</a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Satellite Exhibition at The Art Loft Zanesville:<br />My Epic Triptych, <b>Love, Athena</b> will debut at their First Friday Artwalk<br />Friday, March 6th, 2020<br />5:00 to 9:00</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Guest Lecture at The Art Loft Zanesville:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Beyond Chicks with Balls: The Goddess Project</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thursday, March 19, 2020<br />6:00 to 7:00</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><a href="http://theartloftzanesville.com/">theartloftzanesville.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Both first and second Chicks books will be for sale at the Opening Reception and at the ZMA Gift shop<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">for $50 each, during the run of the show. I’ll be available all the events to personally sign books!<br /><br />ZMA Museum Hours:<br />Wednesday thru Saturday: 10:00 to 5:00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Thursdays: 10:00 to 7:30<br /><br />The Art Loft Hours:<br />These are working art studios with a beautiful gallery common space, open for the First Friday Artwalk (March 6) by appointment and by chance. <br />Call first: 740.704.2118</span></div>
Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-62972016623523108942020-01-17T07:31:00.001-08:002022-11-10T10:18:25.344-08:00Mary, as Luna, Goddess of the Dung Beetle Ball<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biGBpo47WLM/XfKJbXRR2rI/AAAAAAAABcg/2yRaMk3sDKMasnzwvR6LaE15CP-tyWPaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/25.%2BMary%2Bas%2BLuna%252C%2Bgoddess%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdung%2Bbeetle%2Bball.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biGBpo47WLM/XfKJbXRR2rI/AAAAAAAABcg/2yRaMk3sDKMasnzwvR6LaE15CP-tyWPaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/25.%2BMary%2Bas%2BLuna%252C%2Bgoddess%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdung%2Bbeetle%2Bball.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary, as Luna, Goddess of the Dung Beetle Ball<br />
Judy Takács</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The story behind this painting begins in the middle of the most harrowing time in Mary’s life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It was a time whose concerns did not include breast cancer…until they did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Its never a good time for a breast cancer diagnosis, but because she put her family’s concerns ahead of her own, she ignored symptoms that otherwise would have been dramatic and alarming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">After a slow and tumultuous several years battling the cancer, Mary was left happily in remission with a double mastectomy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Not wanting to endure continued surgeries, recoveries, complications and also needing to get back to the easel (she’s a phenomenal artist, and founder and director of <a href="http://www.hullartacademy.com/">Hull Art Academy</a> of Art in Dallas, Texas)…Mary made a sensible and measured decision to forgo reconstructive breast surgery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This simple and logical, personal,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>cosmetic</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>decision was met with extensive pushback from armchair psychologists and nosy acquaintances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some folks actually asked her if she was trying to become a man.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">There were women who inexplicably said they’d be concerned if their husband still found them to be sexy with no breasts.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Even doctors put intense pressure on her to reconsider, using sexist generalizations about how a woman’s self-esteem is related to her breast size.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">She was also strongly advised to clear it with her husband and consider his feelings on the matter. He was all but asked to sign a consent form agreeing to keep a wife without breasts.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Because her husband is a loving and supportive best friend, his response was, “Unless you’re filling them with beer, I don’t know why my opinion matters.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One of the unexpected issues with choosing to remain breast-less is that no plastic surgeon will tidy up the extra skin so your body will look smooth and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>intentionally</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>breast-less. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Mary was told by a plastic surgeon that they only do surgery if you’re changing the size or shape because you’re not happy with what you have…not if you’re removing them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Before disrobing for the posing session, Mary braced me with dire warnings of what I was about to see. In Mary’s eyes, she saw sagging skin with puckers, dimpling and scarring. I geared up to not display shock, or even wince…never having seen a double mastectomy in person.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Her warnings were, in my eyes, very much unfounded, and her breastless-ness seemed very natural and quite lovely…exotic, other-worldy even.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thus came the inspiration to interpret her as a mythological character.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I cast Mary as the Roman Goddess Luna; embodiment of the moon, driving her horses and chariot across the night sky.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Mary’s Luna, however, is driving<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Dung Beetle Balls</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>across<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>earthly</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>terrain.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Why Dung Beetle Balls?</span></i></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mary beautifully navigates her sometimes tumultuous life and identifies with the humble dung beetle, who literally takes the shit of other animals and rolls it into positive action.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Dung beetleballs are created by dungbeetles to attract mates, store food, and safely house and feed baby beetle larva. Their production is a methodical process where the beetles roll the dung of other animals in a single direction away from their original source, using the heavens as their guide; sun by day, moon by night. After the dung ball has finished its job helping beetles pro-create and survive, it returns to the earth to fertilize new plant growth that will feed other animals whose dung will continue the cycle.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mary’s shit…hand-typewritten words from naysayers and doctors about her cancer and decisions …is rolled into<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>her</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>giant dung beetle ball as she marches forward in life, rolling it into positive action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And Why Mythological Characters?</span></i></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As I march forward in my art life painting people…especially women of strength and courage, I am shifting focus from my Chicks with Balls series to other forms of inspiration and imagery.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I, like countless artists and authors before me, have found a very deep well of stories, themes and fantastical details in mythology. And by mythology, I mean the tales, legends and beliefs from<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>all</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the religions; Pagan, Ancient Greek, Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Hindu…wherever there are colorful characters with stories to tell. These fictions have inspired art, literature, fairy tales and belief systems for eons. Their lessons and warnings reflect the prejudices, ignorances and injustices of the time they were written, and have endured because of timeless characters to become deeply rooted in our contemporary subconscious…for better and for worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I’m excited to explore these concepts and re-examine classic mythological characters and tell their stories through a contemporary lens. I dispel stereotypes with the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2018/09/medusatoo.html"><i>#Me(dusa)to</i>o</a> diptych, and put non-traditional bodies into action via my <a href="https://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2018/05/venus-shes-got-it.html">Venus</a> interpretations and the <a href="https://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2018/05/venus-and-winged-victory.html">Winged Victory</a> triptych.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mary as Luna<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">bridges the gap between my Chicks with Balls series and my Goddess series, so she holds a very special place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Because Mary’s portrait is part of the Chicks with Balls series too, it was shown at the Zanesville Museum of Art as part of my first ever, solo museum show!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And now, she's traveling again…<br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Showing now through December 11, 2022 as part of the</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">13th Annual Figurative Drawing and Painting Competition</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><a href="https://www.susqu.edu/calendar/event/22165" target="_blank">Lore Degenstein Gallery</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Susquehanna University</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Selinsgrove, PA</span></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-9695447523095740982020-01-01T12:24:00.000-08:002020-02-11T07:22:40.967-08:00Hillary Emerges…and so does the SECOND Chicks Book<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hillary Emerges<br />
Judy Takács</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our sweet high school babysitter grew up into a beautiful athletic woman who posts gorgeous selfies, with healthy foods and positive affirmations while hiking the desert mountains of Arizona.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Maybe you know someone like this too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If she weren’t one of your kids’ favorite babysitters…and you hadn’t watched her grow up since the age of 14…you might limit these posts, or even turn them off because…well, her life looks too idyllic and maybe yours isn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But, as a wise internet meme once said, “On Facebook, you’re comparing your real life to everyone else’s highlights reel.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, I was to find out eventually that the selfies of the gorgeous girl going on gorgeous hikes were not just Hillary’s highlights reel…at times these hikes were her life-line. Hillary is very forthcoming about her struggle with alcohol addiction and bulimia. She will readily tell you how healthy living, a positive mindset and her faith is continuing to save her.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Saving others also saves her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hillary has worked for <a href="http://www.w4ki.org/">Water4Kids</a>, an organization which drills deep wells and water filtration systems for areas of the world where there is no access to clean water. This is a noble and difficult goal, which Hillary speaks of passionately and fights for daily. Lack of access to clean water has many heartbreaking and unexpected repercussions. Diseases like e.coli, cholera and dysentery are rampant in the contaminated water these people drink from. Children cannot attend school because they spend their days walking many miles to fetch water from faraway sources and bring it back to their village. Women must often make the choice between preparing food and spending hours bringing home water. Villagers must choose between dehydration and dysentery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Water4Kids reaches areas with the greatest need by drilling deep wells in remote villages throughout east Africa and Central India close to their schools and medical clinics. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The benefits are life changing and immense, and the organization has drilled 500 wells to date!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">She now works for a technology company that helps churches and ministries organize events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hillary posed for me the day after Christmas, when she was back in Cleveland visiting family. Together we decided that some big shiny Christmas balls would be absolutely perfect. I presented a triple image of her, emerging from the balls and representing her own emergence as the vital, smart, healthy, kind and positive young woman she has grown to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Because I loved this image so much, and also because it was purple…I chose<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Hillary Emerges<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>to grace the cover of the long-awaited SECOND Chicks with Balls book!<br /><br />I shall be launching the book, February 13th when Chicks with Balls heads to the Zanesville Museum of Art for its (and my) first ever solo museum show!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Opening Reception:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Chicks with Balls:<br />Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, February 13, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5:00 to 7:00</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The long-awaited SECOND Chicks with Balls<br />launches at the Opening Reception.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gallery Talk at the Zanesville Museum of Art:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Chicks with Balls: You, me, and every woman we know</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Saturday, February 15th, 2020</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">2:00-3:00<br /><br /><a href="http://zanesvilleart.org/">zanesvilleart.org</a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Satellite Exhibition at The Art Loft Zanesville:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My Epic Triptych, </span><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Love, Athena</b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> will debut at their First Friday Artwalk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Friday, March 6th, 2020</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Guest Lecture at The Art Loft Zanesville:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Beyond Chicks with Balls: The Goddess Project</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Thursday, March 19, 2020</b><br />6:00 to 7:00</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><a href="http://theartloftzanesville.com/">theartloftzanesville.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Both first and second Chicks books will be for sale at the Opening Reception and at the ZMA Gift shop<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">for $50 each, during the run of the show. I’ll be available all the events to personally sign books!<br /><br />ZMA Museum Hours:<br />Wednesday thru Saturday: 10:00 to 5:00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Thursdays: 10:00 to 7:30<br /><br />The Art Loft Hours:<br />These are working art studios with a beautiful gallery common space, open for the First Friday Artwalk (March 6) by appointment and by chance.<br />Call first: 740.704.2118</span></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-28341690914864296832019-12-09T15:30:00.001-08:002020-02-11T07:23:50.706-08:00The Chicks head to Zanesville Museum of Art<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharon just wants peace, love and joy</td></tr>
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Before the first Chick took off her shirt and hugged her first ball, I’ve been thinking about a solo museum show for my epic, now decade-old project,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes.</i></div>
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On February 13, 2020, that dream is coming true.</div>
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<i>Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>will have its (and my) first solo museum exhibition at the Zanesville Museum of Art in Central Ohio.</div>
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At the opening reception I will be launching and signing copies of the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>second</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>book in the Chicks series;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>keeps</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>painting unsung female heroes.</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The collection is now more than 50 paintings strong and all the works<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> painted since the first book will be included in the second, which will be for sale exclusively through the Zanesville Museum of Art during the run of the show, through April 4<sup>th</sup>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second Chicks book…the purple one!</td></tr>
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The Chicks with Balls show was curated by ZMA Museum Director, Laine Snyder and will include approximately half of the chicks paintings, including some that have never been shown.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> There will also be a satellite exhibit at The Art Loft in Zanesville, where more of the chicks can be seen…details to come!<br />
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The night of the opening will also be the first reveal for a giant multi-figure triptych to honor some of the women who originally posed for Chicks and whose lives have taken torturous twists and turns since. They have gone through hell; some through hell and back, some still fighting their way forward. This piece,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Love, Athena,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>serves to bridge the gap to my next series,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Goddess Project,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>where I re-examine stories and characters from the mythology of all religions, through a feminist lens.</div>
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Mark your calendars and head down to Central Ohio’s hidden gem, the Zanesville Museum of Art for the opening of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes</i>, or one of my two talks!<br /><br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Opening Reception:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Chicks with Balls:<br />Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, February 13, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5:00 to 7:00</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The long-awaited SECOND Chicks with Balls<br />launches at the Opening Reception.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gallery Talk at the Zanesville Museum of Art:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Chicks with Balls: You, me, and every woman we know</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Saturday, February 15th, 2020</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">2:00-3:00<br /><br /><a href="http://zanesvilleart.org/">zanesvilleart.org</a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Satellite Exhibition at The Art Loft Zanesville:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My Epic Triptych, </span><b style="font-size: 14pt;">Love, Athena</b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> will debut at their First Friday Artwalk</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Friday, March 6th, 2020</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">5:00 to 9:00</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Guest Lecture at The Art Loft Zanesville:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Beyond Chicks with Balls: The Goddess Project</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Thursday, March 19, 2020</b><br />6:00 to 7:00</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><a href="http://theartloftzanesville.com/">theartloftzanesville.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Both first and second Chicks books will be for sale at the Opening Reception and at the ZMA Gift shop<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">for $50 each, during the run of the show. I’ll be available all the events to personally sign books!<br /><br />ZMA Museum Hours:<br />Wednesday thru Saturday: 10:00 to 5:00</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.6667px;">Thursdays: 10:00 to 7:30<br /><br />The Art Loft Hours:<br />These are working art studios with a beautiful gallery common space, open for the First Friday Artwalk (March 6) by appointment and by chance.<br />Call first: 740.704.2118</span></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-48991119258312077172019-05-09T07:18:00.001-07:002020-03-09T12:27:49.640-07:00Emilie, The Tenth Muse…The One Who Sees<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Emilie is a rare gem at an art opening.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">She doesn’t have a dog in the fight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">By that I mean she’s pure patron, appreciator, creative spirit, lover and follower of art… without being an actual maker of art herself. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">In the Northeast Ohio world of gallery openings, museum shows and juried competitions…literally everyone…from Part-time Volunteer Gallery Assistant to Museum Director…is also an artist, or has been at some point in their life. This is why Emilie is so rare, and I told her so the moment I found this out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Since then, I have seen her at every art opening I attend, and she has attended many that I do not. Usually she pops in to one, and then has two more on her dance card for the same night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">At one such art opening, I talked to her about how I’m transitioning my Chicks with Balls project to my Goddess project, where I view the mythology of all religions through a feminist lens and reinterpret images and stories that have shaped our collective thinking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Emilie’s portrait is one of a few that stands at the threshold of the Goddess project.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">In Greek Mythology, there were nine muses; Godesses who inspired great achievement. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These eternally beautiful and youthful daughters of Zeus had names like<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Thalia: The Cheerful One</i>,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Erato: The Lovely One<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Melpomene: She Who Sings</i>. There were even specific muses for flute-playing, astronomy and remembering things (<a href="https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/The_Muses/the_muses.html">TUM PECCET</a>… find out the rest when you click it).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The glaring omission in this glowing line-up is a muse for the Visual Arts!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">In the world of figurative art, the concept of the artist’s muse is as old as art itself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>artist’s</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>muse, however, isn’t an ethereal 22 year old goddess whispering in your ear, it is a mortal human whom you find fascinating to paint because of physical, intellectual or emotional attributes…or an exciting combination of all three! As Picasso once said, “Let inspiration find you working.” An<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>artist’s</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>muse shows up and poses for you, thereby enabling the actual “working” part of inspiration.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">For me, a muse often falls in line with the kind of lines I like to make. And, for those who haven’t noticed, I love painting glorious age! The fact that Emilie is such a great appreciator of art just made her mythological title that much easier to come up with:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Emilie, The Tenth Muse…the One Who Sees.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But, I’m not the only one inspired by Emilie. If you talk to her for a bit (at one of the many art openings where you’ll see her), you’ll find out that she is the proud mother of two-time Academy Award Winning Director for Pixar films, <a href="https://oscars.fandom.com/wiki/Lee_Unkrich">Lee Unkrich</a>. Among a host of other movies, he directed<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/">Toy Story 3</a></b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>and</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2380307/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Coco</a></b>…<i>both</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of which won Oscars for Best Animated Feature Film.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Yes,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>THE Toy Story 3</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>THE Coco</b>…I shit you not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I don’t want to end my blog with the words, “I shit you not…,” so I’m going to throw a little love in the direction of my own “ethereal, whispering in your ear” muse; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Singer_Sargent">John Singer Sargent</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The pose and composition of my portrait of Emilie was inspired by Sargent’s portrait of iconic collector and museum founder, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_Stewart_Gardner">Isabella Stewart Gardner</a>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum catalog says, Sargent’s painting of Mrs. Gardner presents her as a “pagan deity.” Art critic and author, Henry James called Sargent’s depiction a “Byzantine Madonna.” Both descriptions speak to me.<br /><br />Mrs. Gardner's head is surrounded by a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandorla">mandorla</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana";">patterned after a tapestry in the Gardner museum collection. In keeping with this regal addition, I re-imagined Emilie's mandorla as a halo of brushes, befitting the muse of the visual arts.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Emilie’s sari is an exotic fabric from an exotic land purchased at an exotic fair-trade store in Lakewood, Ohio. The primary colors and patterns made me think of Toy Story and Coco. And, Emilie wears the red-striped admission bracelet for <a href="https://frontart.org/">Front International</a>, Cleveland’s first-ever summer-long adventure as an international contemporary Art Mecca.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="https://frontart.org/">Front International</a> is a triennial festival to be repeated in the summer of 2021, so mark your calendars!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">And, if you find yourself in Boston, make a point to head to The <a href="https://www.gardnermuseum.org/">Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum</a>. Around the turn of the last century, Mrs. Gardner amassed a major collection that included <a href="https://www.johnsingersargent.org/">Sargents</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Zorn">Zorns</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_Manet">Manets</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_Bonheur">Bonheurs</a> along with some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt">Rembrandts</a>, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Vermeer">Vermeer</a> and even a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo">Michelangelo</a> drawing. <br /><br />During her lifetime, these works were beautifully displayed in her private home…really a mansion… which she bequeathed as her legacy, to become the magnificent Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. It ranks among the best private museums in the world and is a “must-see” even in Boston, the land of “must-sees!” Its just around the corner from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, but each museum deserves its own day…heck spend the whole week!<br /></span></div>
Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-63225075384589665282019-04-29T07:17:00.003-07:002019-08-30T05:49:11.177-07:00Arachne: The Spider and the Queen Bee<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arachne: Predator and Prey…left panel<br />
Available through Zhou B Gallery on <a href="https://www.artsy.net/artwork/judy-takacs-arachne-predator-and-prey-2">artsy.net</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />Arachne: Predator and Prey. The Arachne story from Greek Mythology, is a little
known one, so I shall tell it here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
the ancient world of the Greek Gods, Arachne was a mortal woman and an
extraordinary weaver. She boasted of her skill, declaring that she was better
at weaving than the Goddess Athena. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pride in her accomplishments was Arachne’s first
crime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
is the crime that has disempowered many talented and intelligent women
since…well, since women could speak. She knew she was good and told people so.
In a man, this is respected as confidence in one’s own abilities. For a woman,
however it is seen as undesirable bragging. Even contemporary women of great
skill tend to hide their light lest they be seen as too cocky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Athena,
Goddess of Arts and Crafts (among other things) also demanded that Arachne
declare her weaving prowess to be a gift from the Gods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Arachne
wouldn’t hear of it. She had built her skill through hard work and persistence,
not magical divine intervention. For me, as an artist, this really hits home. I
always bristle when someone tells me I’m “blessed” or “gifted” with the skill
to paint…when in fact I am consistently working very hard to master it as a
lifelong goal in progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Athena
took umbrage at these perceived insults and challenged Arachne to a weaving
duel…if only all disagreements were settled this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
this competition, both woman and goddess chose to weave complex scenes of
figurative art…a detail I adore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Athena’s
weaving was predictably grand: a scene of Olympus and a tribute to the glory of
the Gods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Arachne’s
weaving, however was profoundly moving, truthful, beautiful, realistic and
earthly…and far more skillful than Athena’s. Arachne depicted the Gods as
carnal beings whose whims, passions, and petty jealousies create suffering in
the lives of mortals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">With
predictable pettiness, Athena was disgraced that her own work could not best
that of a mortal. She became enraged with the very jealousy that Arachne’s
vision of the Gods depicted. She tore Arachne’s beautiful weaving to shreds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Thinking
this was only the beginning of Athena’s godly wrath, Arachne attempted suicide
by hanging herself right there on the spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Athena
thwarted the suicide and removed Arachne from the rope she tried to hang
herself with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then,
in classic vengeful-God style, Athena declared (I imagine with great sarcasm
and false fanfare) that since Arachne was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">such</i>
a superior weaver, she should hang from a rope forever and weave for all of
eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djz7pyBuBd0/XMb6qwEGkuI/AAAAAAAABYA/EaZpiILaqBcT3VgO90i1snTlvKCbYuwxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Judy_Takacs_Arachne%2BTriptych%2BCenter_oil%2Bon%2Bcanvas_48%2Bx%2B48_2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djz7pyBuBd0/XMb6qwEGkuI/AAAAAAAABYA/EaZpiILaqBcT3VgO90i1snTlvKCbYuwxQCEwYBhgL/s400/Judy_Takacs_Arachne%2BTriptych%2BCenter_oil%2Bon%2Bcanvas_48%2Bx%2B48_2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arachne: Predator and Prey…center panel<br />
Available through Zhou B Gallery on <a href="https://www.artsy.net/artwork/judy-takacs-arachne-predator-and-prey-1">artsy.net</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Athena* summoned her almighty Goddess powers to turn
Arachne into a spider…for the crime of beating her at a weaving
competition…nooo, the gods weren’t petty…<br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
triptych casts Arachne as the beautiful and diligent weaver of her spider web.
She is also prisoner of it; wrapped with the same silken webbing she uses to
create it… even as she sprouts the multiple arms of an arachnid to complete her
metamorphosis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Arachne Triptych…measuring almost 10 feet when seen together…it made its
debut at the Zhou B Gallery in Chicago as part of <a href="https://www.artsy.net/show/gallery-at-zhou-b-art-center-secondary-meanings-figural-diptychs"><b>Secondary Meanings</b></a>, a
<a href="https://www.poetsandartists.com/">Poets/Artists</a> Exhibition and Catalog curated by Steven Alan Bennett and Dr.
Elaine Melotti Schmidt, sponsors of <a href="https://thebennettprize.org/">The Bennett Prize.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And,
since it’s a triptych, there’s also a third panel…but, because she’s been in
hiding for so long, I’m going to keep her a secret for a while longer. You can
see her though, if you snoop around on the Zhou B Gallery site on <a href="https://www.artsy.net/artwork/judy-takacs-arachne-predator-and-prey">artsy.net!</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14pt;">Order the stunning Poets/Artists Secondary Meanings catalog <a href="https://www.blurb.com/b/9447895-poetsartists-102-secondary-meanings">here.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14pt;">The Arachne triptych is available…as a set or as individual paintings…<br />check her out on artsy.net…<a href="https://www.artsy.net/artwork/judy-takacs-arachne-predator-and-prey-2">left</a>…<a href="https://www.artsy.net/artwork/judy-takacs-arachne-predator-and-prey-1">center</a>…and <a href="https://www.artsy.net/artwork/judy-takacs-arachne-predator-and-prey">right</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br style="text-align: start;" /></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
*Future paintings in this series will address the other cultural myth implicit
to the Arachne story: the “Queen Bee” concept, as personified by Athena.</span><span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
I examine mythology, I often find powerful Goddesses, Queens, Sorceresses, and
Witches smiting young women who have angered them simply by being beautiful,
talented and clever and intelligent. The capable young women in these stories
are punished, persecuted, thwarted, enchanted, manipulated and murdered by the
very women who should be their mentors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
concept that there is only room for one powerful woman at the top has repeated
itself in mythology, religion, literature, fairy tales and also in the
corporate and political world. It affects how women view and treat each other
and validates the humiliations and injustices women have suffered from society as
well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
world has also suffered greatly for the “queen bee” concept as well. If you
look at how history is riddled with testosterone-induced wars, conquests,
pillages and enslavements…you’ll notice a distinct absence of women leading
these charges. And also how women in positions of power
often seek to emulate this swagger in order to be seen as strong…when in fact,
strength also lies in setting ego aside and seeking peaceful solutions; a skill
that wives, mothers, sisters, teachers, nuns, nurses, nannies and all unsung
female heroes have practiced for millennia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
“queen bee” myth…and practice… needs shattering and future paintings will
attempt to do just that with my paintbrush. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also
write about them…because I want to make sure you all get the point! </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-86081901127828027852018-09-30T15:14:00.003-07:002020-12-16T05:15:25.296-08:00#me(dusa)too<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwnEdTmTo8Y/XLpJGRQuLGI/AAAAAAAABW8/29kw-Yib8lQ5W6_c_UMl6YohAWX0p2wUgCLcBGAs/s1600/Takacs_Judy_%2523Me%2528dusa%2529too_oil_30%2Bx%2B48_2018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwnEdTmTo8Y/XLpJGRQuLGI/AAAAAAAABW8/29kw-Yib8lQ5W6_c_UMl6YohAWX0p2wUgCLcBGAs/s640/Takacs_Judy_%2523Me%2528dusa%2529too_oil_30%2Bx%2B48_2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#Me(dusa)too…two<br />
to be showing at the <br />
Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art as part of Painting the Figure Now 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If
there’s one story from Greek Mythology that everyone knows, it’s the tale of
Medusa. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
shall refresh your memory in case it’s been a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Young, handsome demi-god Perseus was charged with killing the hideous snake-headed
Medusa and bringing back her head to an evil king for reasons <a href="https://www.ancient.eu/Medusa/">way too complicated</a> to tell here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
tricky thing was that if you so much as looked at Medusa, you’d turn to stone
immediately. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perseus, armed with a mirrored shield (given to him by Athena)
killed Medusa by looking only at her reflection, not at her actual stone-invoking face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoKCx-53cJc/XPgu9vgzeXI/AAAAAAAABZw/7-FYk6xcckk5JAhGz0OmqNPB48nPDtdKQCLcBGAs/s1600/%2523me%2528dusa%2529too%2Bback.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1004" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoKCx-53cJc/XPgu9vgzeXI/AAAAAAAABZw/7-FYk6xcckk5JAhGz0OmqNPB48nPDtdKQCLcBGAs/s640/%2523me%2528dusa%2529too%2Bback.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#Me(dusa)too<br />
to be showing at the Ohio State Fair Cox Art Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All
fun and adventure, except that’s not the whole story.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
apocryphal story of Medusa, through a feminist lens, is classic rape-victim-blaming
at its most horrific and deadly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long
before the Perseus beheading story, Medusa was a beautiful young woman. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Medusa was
raped by the God Poseidon in Athena’s Temple.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Athena*,
angered that her temple had been desecrated, took vengence on the <i>victim</i> Medusa…not the
<i>rapist</i>, Poseidon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blaming Medusa’s
beauty, Athena made it so no man could ever look at her again. She cursed innocent
and lovely Medusa to become a snake-headed gorgon whose glance turns those who
look at her into stone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This
rape-victim-blaming story has repeated itself throughout time, and continues
through news stories and political events happening right this minute…thus the reason for my rushing this post to publication.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
For
my painting, I have re-imagined the hideous gorgon and restored Medusa’s youthful
beauty and innocence. I have also given her a hashtag <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigmata">stigmata</a>; a merging of Greek,
Christian and Contemporary iconography.<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQiUpbXTJB4/XLpOVlZMz4I/AAAAAAAABXU/iIChfraXqjA_7ITOZ4T8p-bQAsIgfeliACLcBGAs/s1600/Medusa%2Bfront%2Bstigmata%2Bdetail%2B-%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQiUpbXTJB4/XLpOVlZMz4I/AAAAAAAABXU/iIChfraXqjA_7ITOZ4T8p-bQAsIgfeliACLcBGAs/s640/Medusa%2Bfront%2Bstigmata%2Bdetail%2B-%2B1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hashtag Stigmata detail from #me(dusa)too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The duo of works I’ve painted are called, #Me(dusa)too and #Me(dusa)too…two.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And, I’m thrilled to share that both paintings will be showing this summer, each at its own spectacular venue :<br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "times"; font-size: large; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i>#Me(dusa)too… two</i></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">will be included in</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times";"><b style="font-size: 36px;"><a href="https://wmoca.org/upcoming-2019-2/">Painting the Figure Now 2019</a></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times";"><b style="font-size: 36px;">Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Opening Reception:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Thursday, July 11, 6-8:00 pm</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Through September 28</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Curated by WMOCA Director, David Hummer and Poets/Artists Didi Menendez</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Painting the Figure Now 2019 is also a <a href="https://www.blurb.com/b/9543914-painting-the-figure-now">Poets/Artists Catalog</a> all about the works and curatorial inspiration that went behind this phenomenal show! Click the <a href="https://www.blurb.com/b/9543914-painting-the-figure-now">link </a>and check it out!</span><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Aaaaaand…</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"><i>#Me(dusa)too</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">will be included in</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times";"><b style="font-size: 36px;"><a href="https://ohiostatefair.com/">The Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition</a></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times";"><b style="font-size: 36px;">Cox Fine Art Center</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Opening Reception: </span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Tuesday July 23, 6:00 to 8:00 pm</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">through August 4</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><br /><br />*Athena is cast as one of the evil ones in this story, isn’t she? </span><span style="font-size: small;">Well, fear not, future paintings and blogs will also address</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><i>THAT myth </i><span style="font-size: small;">too… the myth of the powerful queen who does everything she can to keep other women down. This queen bee theme is repeated over and over in religion, mythology, fairy tales and political smear campaigns. It desperately needs retelling…and that’s just what I’ll be doing in the coming months! Stay tuned!</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-3352334054449230392018-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:002018-09-21T04:55:42.350-07:00Judy Takács, the artist formerly known as Judy Takács Pendergast<style type="text/css">
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</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
And, in honor of my birthday…(56 today)…I am reclaiming my artist name…<i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist">Judy Takács</a></b></i>…and dropping my husband's name, <i>Pendergast</i> from my <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist">facebook</a></i> name.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLj7Hv9wBAg/W5aw33cSSnI/AAAAAAAABS8/EaGn6p53Yz8segMinWcfjH5KEHAhvRQJACLcBGAs/s1600/7.%2BJudy%252C%2BJudy%252C%2BJudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLj7Hv9wBAg/W5aw33cSSnI/AAAAAAAABS8/EaGn6p53Yz8segMinWcfjH5KEHAhvRQJACLcBGAs/s400/7.%2BJudy%252C%2BJudy%252C%2BJudy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judy, Judy Judy…<i><b>Takács</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
I shall kick off this blog by telling you how much I love my husband.<br />
<br />
And, even though I’m dropping his name from my facebook profile, I am totally keeping <i><b>him</b></i>! <br />
<br />
We are happily settling in to our new empty nester-dom, resurrecting the candle light dinners we used to have 24 years ago, eating al fresco on the deck, traveling and really enjoying each other’s company too. It’s awesome to find out that the man you love is also someone you really really like too!</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Here’s why the<i> “Pendergast” </i>was added to my name.<br />
<br />
24 years ago we brought home our first born and realized that from that point forward we were no longer just a couple…we were a family.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhVQs8QAmHQ/W5ax0vIw3LI/AAAAAAAABTM/Oj6kLsVZYFQizNoXQ8JXsyA6m6vXBefpACLcBGAs/s1600/Takacs.4.Sweet%2BSloth%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1586" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhVQs8QAmHQ/W5ax0vIw3LI/AAAAAAAABTM/Oj6kLsVZYFQizNoXQ8JXsyA6m6vXBefpACLcBGAs/s400/Takacs.4.Sweet%2BSloth%2B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Sloth…my oldest just before college</td></tr>
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And the fact that we would be a family was the whole reason that when we got married 27 years ago, I added my husband’s name… <i>Pendergast</i> to mine. I eliminated my middle name (Eva) and shuffled my maiden name (<b><i>Takács</i></b>…also my artist name) to become my new middle name. My full and legal name became <i>Judy Takács Pendergast</i>…and still is. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlQsHZS2NnU/W5ayAm2dLiI/AAAAAAAABTU/fc_SKdCwwqAO5aqrOo_OjmlMmP5GrRTWACLcBGAs/s1600/Silent%2BPicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1577" data-original-width="1600" height="393" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlQsHZS2NnU/W5ayAm2dLiI/AAAAAAAABTU/fc_SKdCwwqAO5aqrOo_OjmlMmP5GrRTWACLcBGAs/s400/Silent%2BPicture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silent Picture…a self-portrait of the artist <i><b>Judy Takács</b></i></td></tr>
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But, this mouthful of a name was never intended to be said together or to be hyphenated. I really had two identities.</div>
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I intended to be <i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist">Judy Takács</a></b></i> the artist, and J<i>udy Pendergast </i>the PTA mom.</div>
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I would sign <i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist">Judy Takács</a></b></i> to paintings and <i>Judy Pendergast</i> to teacher’s notes.</div>
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I would receive payments for paintings and graphic design work as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist"><i><b>Judy Takács</b></i> </a>and sign checks for kid’s pre-school enrollment as <i>Judy Pendergast</i>.</div>
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But then, facebook came along, and my two worlds collided. I saw that many of my married friends were using both their maiden and married names in their facebook profile so that kindergarten friends could find them, along with their new neighbor. So, I did the same.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrCaO5UV3pU/W5ayKOp7CCI/AAAAAAAABTc/PMWEbayGyHklvH1g5VWuuFpIYYIGVA1jgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hatchlings%2B5%253A18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrCaO5UV3pU/W5ayKOp7CCI/AAAAAAAABTc/PMWEbayGyHklvH1g5VWuuFpIYYIGVA1jgCLcBGAs/s640/Hatchlings%2B5%253A18.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatchlings…a self-portrait of the artist, <i><b>Judy Takács</b></i></td></tr>
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What I didn’t realize was how much I would use facebook to market and talk about my art. And, even though every single one of my social media identities, and even my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Tak%C3%A1cs">wikipedia page</a>, only uses my artist name, <i><b>Judy Takács</b></i>…</div>
<ul>
<li>instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/judytakacs/">@judytakacs</a></li>
<li>email:judytakacs@me.com</li>
<li>website: <a href="http://judytakacs.com/">judytakacs.com</a> and <a href="http://judytakacspaintspeople.com/">judytakacspaintspeople.com</a></li>
<li>facebook page: <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JudyTakacs/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdzoG9WLYnynp2GTEN7g_fTI4Lz9MfyAgUuniJj3afUUWg%3AAdyPbwsOIusQVdCG2cK0nwwTJq-9eO4DgxG4Taq1BQty2w">Judy Takacs, artist</a> </i>and <i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=chicks%20with%20balls%3A%20judy%20tak%C3%A1cs%20paints%20unsung%20female%20heroes">Chicks with Balls: Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes</a></i></li>
<li>blog: <a href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/">chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com</a></li>
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…I still sometimes see painting labels and artistic venues and art friends refer to me as <i>Judy Pendergast </i>or <i>Judy Takács Pendergast</i>. I bristle that the art identity I was trying so hard to define (Judy Takács the artist) wasn’t sticking. I even wrote a <a href="http://portraitsocietyceciliabeauxforum.blogspot.com/2014/07/triple-identitymaking-name-for-yourself.html">blog article for the Portrait Society of America</a> about this predicament that many women artists have…I called it “<a href="http://portraitsocietyceciliabeauxforum.blogspot.com/2014/07/triple-identitymaking-name-for-yourself.html">Making a name for yourself when you actually have three.</a>”<br />
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My favorite line which I wrote for the article was, “It’s hard to market yourself as <i>Coke</i> when you’re also known as <i>Coke-Pepsi</i>.”</div>
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So I have decided to drop the Pepsi…the Pendergast…from my facebook name.</div>
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From now on, my facebook profile name will be <a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist"><b><i>Judy Takács</i></b>!</a></div>
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Period.</div>
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See what I did there? I put “Period” on the next line? Didn’t want to confuse you again!</div>
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And, I figured my birthday would be the best time to do this…because after all, 56 years ago today was when I first got the name<a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist"> <i><b>Judy Takács</b></i></a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zuq4rTY86KI/W5gYLsWkWpI/AAAAAAAABUo/qqfQ2Tje4tY5B2X0I5ufLYjh6peUmR_mQCLcBGAs/s1600/Baby%2Bpic%2Bof%2BJudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="935" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zuq4rTY86KI/W5gYLsWkWpI/AAAAAAAABUo/qqfQ2Tje4tY5B2X0I5ufLYjh6peUmR_mQCLcBGAs/s400/Baby%2Bpic%2Bof%2BJudy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judy Takács as baby…with rattle…in crib</td></tr>
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Thank you for reading to the end and remembering that my facebook name from now on will be <i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.artist">Judy Takács!</a></b></i></div>
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<br />Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-88231070684524351102018-07-26T19:29:00.000-07:002020-04-17T10:07:01.620-07:00Highland Matriarch…inspired by Highland Monarch<div style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few months ago, the American Women Artists put out an interesting Call for Entry.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">In pursuit of their far-reaching goal to have <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4nmH_aPGj0">25 museum shows in as many years</a>, they </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">charged artists to become inspired by one of the works from the Haggin Museum Collection (where this year’s AWA show would be held). Artists were asked to create our own work as a result of that inspiration.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I chose Eugene-Joseph Verboeckhoven's Highland Monarch as my inspiration.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXDxlP1rM8g/W1p4vEtuyWI/AAAAAAAABSM/2JrwWoKqPJcAtPZr45cTx_fjuncvUCYdACLcBGAs/s1600/Verboeckhoven%252C-Highland-Monarch-THM0367---.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="840" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXDxlP1rM8g/W1p4vEtuyWI/AAAAAAAABSM/2JrwWoKqPJcAtPZr45cTx_fjuncvUCYdACLcBGAs/s400/Verboeckhoven%252C-Highland-Monarch-THM0367---.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Highland Monarch</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: right;">Eugene-Joseph </span><span style="text-align: right;">Verboeckhoven</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The organic twist of horns, the knock-kneed rhythm of legs and the elegantly arranged, lounging wooly rams are what first drew me to Verboeckhoven’s painting. As a life-long painter of people, I knew I would interpret this painting using the human form, and as a painter of paint strong women of character, courage and empathy, I wanted to re-contextualize it as a feminist piece…a Highland</span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Matriarch</b>. </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">(yes, I used the word re-contextualize…)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The model posing for this piece is one of my patient and willing favorites. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She indulged me with awkward hand poses, duct-taped on gloves (my long black gloves were too big for her), tissue paper horns, and an itchy thrift-shop curly lamb coat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To get the ram horn detail authentic, I sought out and actually found rams horns attached to the base of a hunting-theme specialty-shop lamp. Truly it was not an attractive lamp at all, but the horns were powerful, gorgeous and had the organic twist of forms that I love to paint. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Lucky for my model, I did not make her wear the actual horns, which were quite heavy, and firmly attached to the light fixture!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did set her in a regal languishing pose, calmly ruling the countryside, much like the Patriarchal Ram in Verboeckhoven’s painting. I echoed his rolling hills, the mountains in the mist, and the subtle, cloudy grey sky.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0iRlDFikCs/W1p6UQrrohI/AAAAAAAABSY/FX8NaXmzu-AMDaEz8djwbZjWyU32mbKcACLcBGAs/s1600/Takacs.7.Highland%2BMatriarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1600" height="333" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0iRlDFikCs/W1p6UQrrohI/AAAAAAAABSY/FX8NaXmzu-AMDaEz8djwbZjWyU32mbKcACLcBGAs/s400/Takacs.7.Highland%2BMatriarch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Highland Matriarch<br />Judy Takács</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />The little sheep salted about in the distance were the piece de resistance to my first-ever Scottish Countryside scene.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Highland Matriarch made her Museum debut at the Haggin Museum in Stockton, California as part of American Women Artists Full Sun Exhibition in the Summer of 2018. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Psyched to say she will be showing again soon…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.valleyartcenter.org/annual-juried-cte.html">Valley Art Center</a><br />47th Annual Juried Exhibition</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony: </b></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Friday November 2, 6:00 to 8:00</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Show runs through December 11</span></div>
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Valley Art Center<br />
155 Bell Street<br />
Chagrin Falls, Ohio<br />
<a href="http://valleyartcenter.org/">valleyartcenter.org</a></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-5010235023192537602018-07-04T12:56:00.003-07:002018-07-05T13:51:08.329-07:00Cleveland Figurative, CAN Triennial and Front International: Explained<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Once upon a time, <a href="https://frontart.org/about/">Fred Bidwell</a>, Cleveland’s generous and highly active art patron and benefactor, along with Artistic Director, <a href="https://frontart.org/about/">Michele Grabner</a>…masterminded a Cleveland art event the likes of which had never been seen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This summertime festival and Northeast Ohio-wide art event would be called <a href="https://frontart.org/">FRONT International</a>, and take place across many of the major art venues that Cleveland is so rich in (<a href="https://frontart.org/venues/">CMA, MOCA, CIA, Spaces</a> and many more…some surprising!) during the Summer of 2018.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hand picked <i>international artists</i> with a connection to Cleveland would be invited to create works, projects, films, installations and use all manner of creativity to address the theme of An American City…Cleveland. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The publicity and international recognition generated by this event would be the boost that Cleveland…and lovers of “the land”…are always looking for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And, the CLE Art Community would not BE the Cleveland Art Community if we did not jump all over this to try to show off some of the terrific art being made right here by <i>Cleveland Artists</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So, masterminds on the board of Cleveland’s own <a href="http://canjournal.org/">CAN Journal</a>; <a href="http://www.lizmaugans.com/">Liz Maugans</a>, <a href="https://coolcleveland.com/2015/10/michael-gill-shows-new-artist-book-woodcuts-tregoningandco/">Michael Gill</a>, Nancy Heaton and many others…put their heads together. CAN (which stands for Collective Art Network) is a unique Art Journal and networking group dedicated to the promotion of <a href="http://canjournal.org/?s=Judy+Takacs">all things Art in CLE</a>. Plans were made to stage our own event to spotlight <i>Cleveland artists</i> during the FRONT International events in Summer of 2018.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This CLE event is called the <a href="https://www.cantriennial.org/art/gallery-pavilion">CAN Triennial</a> and takes place at the iconic <a href="http://78thstreetstudios.com/about">78th Street Studios</a>, on Cleveland’s West side. In their own words, THIS is what CAN Triennial is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“A gathering of exemplary contemporary art from Northeast Ohio, featuring new discoveries, rising stars, and the region’s most accomplished artists. An exhibit filling three floors of the 78th Street Studios with painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, fiber art, music, film, and site-specific installations. A Gallery Pavilion bringing together 20 of the most selective dealers from Northeast Ohio and surrounding cities. A deep dive into the creative minds of Cleveland.”</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The 78th Street Studios is the former American Greetings Creative Studios…turned warehouse…turned art mecca. It houses artist studios, galleries, hosts weddings, events and the coolest monthly Third Friday Artwalk our town has ever seen. It made perfect sense to make this the one stop place to showcase Cleveland Artists for International Art tourists (apparently there is such a thing!) coming to town for FRONT International!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Thus was born my role in all this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://www.cantriennial.org/art/gallery-pavilion"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CLEVELAND FIGURATIVE</span></a></b></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUggiE_bhSs/Wz0d4z1G9_I/AAAAAAAABRY/O1O9WA7CQ5UaPrRJ6sBuNzJ5Gv-wMxbbgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cle%2Bfig%2Bevent%2Bheader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1300" height="331" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUggiE_bhSs/Wz0d4z1G9_I/AAAAAAAABRY/O1O9WA7CQ5UaPrRJ6sBuNzJ5Gv-wMxbbgCLcBGAs/s640/Cle%2Bfig%2Bevent%2Bheader.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I gathered just a few of Cleveland’s foremost
figurative realists to share their work at Booth No. 10,</span><span style="color: black;"> <b><a href="https://judytakacs.com/">CLEVELAND FIGURATIVE</a></b></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">at the 78th</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Street
Studios, during the CAN Triennial Art Event.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/964741433698679/">CLEVELAND FIGURATIVE</a></b> is <a href="http://www.stankakordic.com/">Stanka Kordic</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/martinoconnorart/">Martin O’Connor</a>, <a href="http://www.johnasargent.com/">John A Sargent III</a> and myself, <a href="https://judytakacs.com/">Judy Takács</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Contemporary Figurative Realism is a movement that has been brewing on the coasts for over a decade. Cleveland’s own figurative artists have also been passionately painting humans with an eye to truth, beauty and the beauty of the truthful depiction…physically and emotionally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To own a masterful depiction of a human soul is to bring empathy into your home. Contemporary Figurative Realism invites viewers to feel something for and with another person on this planet; to smile, to be touched, to connect, to linger and think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Visit us at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/964741433698679/">Booth 10</a> during the hours below to make friends
with the artists and discover the beauty of the human souls who have been so
lovingly painted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">CLEVELAND FIGURATIVE Hours:<br /><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Saturday-Sunday, July 14 and 15…12:00 to 6:00</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Saturday-Sunday, July 21and 22…12:00 to 6:00</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and during the </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Third Friday Artwalk</span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Friday, July 20…5:00 to 9:00</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.cantriennial.org/art/gallery-pavilion"><span style="color: black;">CLEVELAND FIGURATIVE at the </span>CAN Triennial</a></span></div>
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</style>Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-89299831908285419672018-06-06T19:14:00.001-07:002018-06-07T05:35:48.928-07:00How to Make Friends and Influence Strangers<div class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last night I gave a talk on everything I know about social media…up to the point where I had to hand my slide show in (yes I still call it that) to the wonderful folks at <a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/">Artists Archives of the Western Reserve</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><br />Eternal Thanks to Mindy Tousley and Megan Alves and Theo Albano, whose efforts made sure the Social Media talk went without a hitch and who ran everything so beautifully for the opening of <a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">Szalay.Takács.SECRETS</a> ! <br /><br />There’s still time to see the <a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">SECRETS</a> show…its up through July 14th and totally worth the trip! See fabulous photos from the Opening Reception <a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.pendergast/media_set?set=a.10216188171484979.1073741934.1472518038&type=3">here</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/ArtistsArchivesoftheWesternReserve/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155933055560376">here</a> by awesome photographer, <a href="http://pearlphoto.blogspot.com/">Stuart Pearl</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we all know, Social Media changes on a dime, and yesterdays algorithms might have allowed you to reach patrons and fans that todays algorithms don’t. And up until about six months ago, the word ”algorithm“ didn’t even came up in conversation…ever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, at the end of the talk I used the oldest media trick in the book to get you to come visit my blog for “<a href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/">the abridged transcript</a>” of the talk…and here you are!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope you’ll enjoy some of my other blog posts about paintings and projects. If you do, sign up to follow chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com<br />…over there on the right!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enough taking advantage of your compromised position where you're eagerly awaiting the meat and potatoes of my talk last night…<br /><br />so, without further ado…here’s the beef:</span></div>
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At my social media talk, I showed you some great website examples…</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://davidkassan.com/">davidkassan.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://aleahchapin.com/">aleahchapin.com</a></li>
<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://jenniferbalkan.com/">jenniferbalkan.com</a></span></li>
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</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then I showed you my facebook page…ask to be my friend, but send me a PM along with it, so I know who you are!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/judy.takacs.pendergast">Judy Takacs Pendergast</a></span></li>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I talked about branding yourself, deciding what your artist name really is and defining your identity via your profile page. I mentioned the dillema that some married women have about naming themselves on facebook. I wrote a blog about just this topic a few years back for the Portrait Society of America.</span></span><br />
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<li><a href="http://portraitsocietyceciliabeauxforum.blogspot.com/2014/07/triple-identitymaking-name-for-yourself.html" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Triple Identity: Making a name for yourself when you actually have three</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I showed a beautiful example of an artist who lives her brand and her brand is her life</span></span><br />
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<li><a href="http://teresaoaxaca.com/">teresaoaxaca.com</a></li>
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<br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I suggested googling yourself to see just who you appear to be “out there.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>HOT TIP When you link someone's website or blog on your blog or website, your image may appear when someone searches for that (possibly more famous) person…another way that cross-pollination works for you. </b><br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I talked about being a good citizen of the social media world…just like you want to be a good citizen of the real world…respecting “my house my rules…your house your rules” with each other's pages.</span><br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I talked about the pros and cons of having a business page</span></span><br />
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<li>pro…it can be all art and business and searchable on the internet, your mini website on facebook</li>
<li>con…few people see it unless you pay for sponsored posts, and even those send your page to people who may not be the ones you want to market to.</li>
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<br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I showed you my business pages…which I still maintain despite their limited reach.</span></span><br />
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<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JudyTakacs/">Judy takacs, artist</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Chickswithballsjudytakacs/">Chicks with Balls Judy Takács paints unsung female heroes</a></li>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I told you about Group pages and how you can use them to market and share your art activities to, and gave you some examples:</span></span><br />
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<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/COAA1/">Cleveland Ohio Area Artists</a></li>
<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CIAalumni/?ref=br_rs">CIA Alumni</a></span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/alliedartistsofamerica.org/about/">Allied Artists of America</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1382670221747717/about/">Here’s the story: Every Episode of Brady Bunch Reviewed</a></li>
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<br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I stressed Cross-Polllination in Social Media…tagging, pasting in links referencing each other whenever you market…spreading the love back to yourself and to others.</span><br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I talked about Facebook Event pages…and showed you the Event page for the AAWR show, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=graphic%3A%20cartoons%2C%20comics%20%26%20graphic%20novels%20in%20northeast%20ohio">GRAPHIC</a> that’s coming up after my show, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/573245796364000/">Szalay.Takács.Secrets</a> comes down July 14</span><sup style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">th</sup><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Predicting it will be awesome!</span><br /><ul>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=graphic%3A%20cartoons%2C%20comics%20%26%20graphic%20novels%20in%20northeast%20ohio">Graphic…the Counter Culture of Cartoons, Comics and Graphic Novels in Northeast Ohio</a>…curated by Iconic Cleveland <a href="http://www.dummart.org/">Graphic Artists Gary and Laura Dumm</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And then there was a whole lot about instagram. I referenced a social media expert who also has a lot to say about instagram, so much so that she’s writing a social media book. Her name is Megan Van Groll and her Social Media Expert website is:</span></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_631414531">
</a>
<li><a href="http://askmvg.com/">Askmvg.com</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">She gave some good hashtag examples for instagram…but encouraged you to be creative and make up some of your own, mixing hashtags with huge reach (#art…366Million posts) where your post is buried, but lots of people go there and those with limited reach (#eggtempera…17K posts) where fewer people go, but your post is more likely to get noticed:</span></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<li>#art, #artist, #oilpainter #painting #workinprogress #WIP #contemporary realism #artistsoninstagram #Contemporaryart #juicypaint #artstudio #commission #onmyeasel</li>
<li>And some hashtags to target art collectors:<br />#<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;">artcollector</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>#</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;">artdealer</span> <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;">#</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;">artcollection</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>#</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;">artgallery </span>#<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;">buyart</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span>#<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;">contemporaryartcollector</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "verdana"; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></li>
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<li><b>HOTTIP from Megan Van Groll Always hashtag yourself if you're posting artwork… #yournamehere…someone may be searching for you via hashtag. And its also a good way to have a curated hashtag with your name on it.</b></li>
<li>Hashtag your location too …#clevelandartist</li>
</span></ul>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I talked about the curated instagram page, and how you can trim out the extraneous stuff after the fact so your page will be all art, or at least all gorgeous. After your post about your neice's graduation has collected family likes and comments, you can “archive” it from your page. Its not deleted, just hidden from the overall page…you can see it again when you look under “archived posts”<br /><br />Here are some gorgeous curated instagram accounts to inspire you to trim the fat from yours. </span></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jennysaville/?hl=en">@jennysaville</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/katestoneart/">@katestoneart</a></li>
<li><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/benjaminbjorklund/">@benjaminborkland</a></span></li>
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<br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I’d be remiss in the social media expert business if I didn’t include mine…which, admittedly isn't as curated as I'd like, but peppering in kid pix is part of my brand too, so I'm not trimming too much of the fat.</span></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/judytakacs/">@judytakacs</a></li>
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<br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow us all…some us may follow you back!</span><br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">These two won’t though…check out their "following" statuses.</span><br /><ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/taylorswift/">@taylorswift</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/oprah/">@oprah</a></li>
</ul>
<br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>HOT TIP…Be sure to turn off “private account” for your instagram if you want people to see it</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And if you want to obsess about who has unfollowed you…<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unfollowers-for-instagram-ig-followers-on-tracker/id574850908?mt=8">there's an app for that.</a><br /><br /><br />I also talked about Blogs…<br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Blogs…I just love blogs…realllly I do! Here's the reference I made for those of you who didn't get it when I said it aloud!</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9-BBoVUdOf4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9-BBoVUdOf4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<li>Blogs with useful how-to info:<br /><a href="http://sophieploeg.com/">Sophieploeg.com</a><br /></li>
<li>Blogs that beautifully spotlight the artist's activities, point to workshops and art and book sales:<br /><a href="http://terrystricklandart.blogspot.com/">Terrystricklandart.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://artworkbyannarose.com/">Artworkbyannarose.com</a><br /></li>
<li>Blogs that share the spotlight with other painters:<br /><a href="https://debbybirdart.com/blog">Debbybird.blogspot.com…Painting Parents</a></li>
</span></ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blogs that focus on history and education in art:<br /><a href="http://womenintheactofpainting.blogspot.com/">Womenintheactofpainting.blogspot.com</a><br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Blogs that focus on special long-term art projects:</span><a href="http://pallettesandpearls.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Pallettesandpearls.blogspot.com</a><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2013/03/nina-poster-woman-for-chicks-with-balls.html">Chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And I summed things up with some fun internet memes…which I’m sure you’ve seen, but maybe won't mind seeing again…because they're so true.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Social media and the issue of privacy…</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkMUE8naqPE/WxKm5KtxT3I/AAAAAAAABQQ/AVgaqrf1U9EwzGh2BNOxo1lQ6zdWLlKfgCLcBGAs/s1600/wiretap%2Bpancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkMUE8naqPE/WxKm5KtxT3I/AAAAAAAABQQ/AVgaqrf1U9EwzGh2BNOxo1lQ6zdWLlKfgCLcBGAs/s640/wiretap%2Bpancakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Social media and the issue of wasting time…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And, I closed my talk with a hook…in advertising, we call this a “call to action.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/">“for more information go to…”</a></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and I'm so thrilled to have lured you here, to my blog! <br /><br />This is a hook you can use though…next time you have the opportunity…cross-pollination is what Social Media is all about! <br /><br />Email me at <a href="mailto:judytakacs@me.com">judytakacs@me.com</a> and I'll put you on my email list for my art comings and goings.<br /><br />And, as a thank you for reading all the way to the end, when you email me, send me your home address too and I'll send you a Chicks with Balls Car sticker…along with a couple postcards and stuff too! I promise not to give your info to anyone else!<br /><br />Thanks for coming to my talk…and I hope that you'll continue to join me in building the art world we want to live in! </span></span><br />
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-22404622833686416492018-05-21T07:36:00.003-07:002021-12-09T06:31:16.037-08:00Mária, the secret sister who was sent away<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMCKhPbPh7o/XBAGrfVm7LI/AAAAAAAABVg/hK6g-aDDA-knKv96kn0WbNIpiJtUo2ZXACLcBGAs/s1600/Takacs_J_Titkos%2BTestve%25CC%2581r%2B%2528The%2BSecret%2BSister%2Bwho%2Bwas%2Bsent%2Baway%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1218" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMCKhPbPh7o/XBAGrfVm7LI/AAAAAAAABVg/hK6g-aDDA-knKv96kn0WbNIpiJtUo2ZXACLcBGAs/s640/Takacs_J_Titkos%2BTestve%25CC%2581r%2B%2528The%2BSecret%2BSister%2Bwho%2Bwas%2Bsent%2Baway%2529.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Titkos Testvér (The Secret Sister who was sent away)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Almost 100 years ago, in a land three lifetimes away, my dad was born in the Hungarian village of Maglód. With his birth, the Takács family of three became a family of four.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Though she only had an eighth grade education, his mother…my grandmother… recognized my dad’s extreme propensity for mathematics early on. She did all she could to encourage the education of her young and budding genius son.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This was not an easy feat in a land where it would have been quite reasonable and expected for him to end his education at age 14 and work repairing cars with his father or helping his mother with the general store she ran in this rural village.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">His older sister, Mária, being<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>only</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>a girl…sigh…would have been the logical choice to stop her education and work for the family in order that her brother be allowed to continue his.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mária, however, had larger issues. Her epilepsy required constant care and her seizures prevented her from leading a meaningful life…even for a girl…sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">She required constant care at home, with, presumably, my grandmother bearing the entire burden.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The situation became even more difficult when my grandfathers’ health worsened … his lungs were declining rapidly. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He could no longer work, and my grandmother had to spend her days running the family General Store. My dad, at age 12 had just started commuting by train to a competitive school in Budapest, and his sister, Mária could not be left alone to care for herself while my grandmother managed the store.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />My grandmother, completely devoted to her brilliant son, would have sooner cut off her own arm than pull my dad out of his schooling to care for his sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mária needed to be sent away so my grandmother could continue to work to support the family…and continue to fund my dad’s education. The story told to my dad as a young boy was that his sister, Mária went to live with relatives in another village. It is unclear if he ever saw her again. It is also unclear how long she lived after she was sent away, or at what age she was sent away, but she died at the age of 21. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My grandfather passed away around the same time and left my grandmother a widow, with one son on his way to becoming a brilliant mathematician.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">There is no mention in family documents or folklore as to when Mária was born, or how much older she was than my dad. There are no photos of her as a child or young woman…there are only a few of my dad, but they were professional formal photos. Why were none taken of his sister? <br /><br />My dad never spoke of the person his sister Mária was. Did she read books? Did she draw? Was she funny? Did they play together? Did he know her well? Surely between the debilitating seizures there was a human being who lived for a time, was loved by her family and made some marks on her small world.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, as for the “sent away to live with relatives” part of the story… could that have been a euphemism to soften the shame of her being institutionalized? And in 1930s rural Hungary, I can only imagine the horrors of being institutionalized for a misunderstood disease where constant seizures may have looked like insanity and have been treated with constant sedation and restraints. At the time there also existed experimental surgery for epilepsy, and also some <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=l44HkHxu12IC&pg=PA288&lpg=PA288&dq=epilepsy+in+the+1930s+hungary&source=bl&ots=YI--qm9PVJ&sig=y4Y7QL9ztykoosOBjiT-VLbiOUY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjvrIHn8Z7aAhUjzlkKHWMnCeoQ6AEIYzAH#v=onepage&q=epilepsy%20in%20the%201930s%20hungary&f=false">experimentation inexplicably linking it with psychosis and using electro shock therapy</a>. I have no idea if this these treatments touched Mária’s life. I was imagining botched brain surgery on par with lobotomies, and later found out even more about the horrors of insane asylums in the not too distant past, when I saw ceramicist Kimberly Chapman's exhibit, “86 reasons for Asylum Admission” exhibition at the Baldwin Wallace University. Read about it <a href="https://www.kimberlychapmansculptor.com/86-reasons.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.bw.edu/events/2021/fall/08-30-art-exhibition-86-reasons" target="_blank">here</a>, and she talks about the project <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mGExSyyung" target="_blank">here</a>. The truth of what happened to many of these unfortunate women is even worse than the imagination can think up. <br /><br />The true story of Maria's short life will never be known, nor will the actual cause of her death…we have no death certificates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I do not judge my grandmother for her agonizing Sophie’s Choice decision to send her daughter away so her son’s education and genius could thrive.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, selfishly, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my grandmother for essentially betting on the winning pony in the family and making the painful decision that benefited all the relatives yet to come… but sacrificed one.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />My dad’s education, and subsequent success as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lajos_Tak%C3%A1cs">Mathematician and Pioneer of Queueing Theory</a> was his ticket out of communist war-torn Hungary. His coming with my mother to Columbia University as an invited distinguished professor ensured that my sister and I would be born as citizens in the United States…which, despite opinions to the contrary…is already great.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I am ever-mindful of this privilege of birth I got for free; a privilege paid for by my parents, grandparents…and my only aunt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">So, I paint my gratitude to honor my mysterious Aunt Mária.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Titkos Testvér</i>. Secret Sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Full of symbolic details, I chose for my model, a young woman who looked like a photo of my dad at age 18…I figured there would be a family resemblance. My model, Jordan Serpentini is actually a talented singer, skateboarder, artist and all around beautiful soul…check out her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fIa5H-xAu4&feature=youtu.be">music video…its a lovely peaceful protest song for our times!</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I wrapped her in a shawl that my grandmother had crocheted for me as a young girl…thinking she may have done the same for her own daughter Mária.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Because my grandmother was a good Catholic, I figured she would have sent Mária off with accessories of the faith to keep her company; a bible, a rosary and the Infant Jesus prayer card. These are all items which had belonged to my grandmother and were brought with her when she emigrated to the United States in 1963, five years after my dad left in 1958.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hanging behind Mária are toddler mittens my grandmother had knitted for me as a child…I can only assume she would have done the same with her own daughter. And the black purse, heavy with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_forint">Hungarian forints and fillérs</a>, may have been pocket money sent along to keep her caregivers happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And there is a letter hanging in the background. It begins, “Édes Mária…Dear Mária.” I collaged pieces of my grandmother’s handwriting to form these words since I have no actual letters from mother to daughter in exile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">There’s an old Jewish saying, sometimes attributed to Banksy, and also to Herman Taube…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I’m starting the clock again on my mysterious secret aunt, Mária Takács.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Titkos Testvér</i>, Secret Sister Aunt Mária…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">the one who was sent away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Titkos Testvér</i> made her debut at my Two-Artist Inaugural Exhibit with the late <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Szalay">Marilyn Szalay</a> at the <a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">Artists Archives of the Western Reserve</a> in the summer of 2018.<br /><br />Now, I'm thrilled to announce that my painting has been awarded the<br /><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Ridgewood Art Institute<br />Award for Painting Excellence<br />at the<br />Catharine Lorillard Wolfe<br />122nd Annual Open Exhibition</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />at the<br /><a href="http://www.nationalartsclub.org/">National Arts Club, NYC</a><br />January 2019</span></h3>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-34328904001322004802018-05-12T13:48:00.000-07:002018-09-10T15:03:59.913-07:00The Final Chapter…A Mother's Day Portrait<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Final Chapter<br />
Judy Takács</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">There is so much symbolism in this work I don’t even know when to begin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br />I’ll begin at a time that was very close to the end.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Late in May of 2016, I asked my mom to come to my studio and pose for me from life. Neither one of us said, “one last time.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">She was at the end of her four-year journey with Ovarian Cancer, had decided to forgo the last cruel bout of debilitating chemo…that wasn’t working anyway… and let the chips fall where they may.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I told her she could read while she posed for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">This is something I do not encourage because the sitter’s downward cast face moves from one side to the other, changing the head angle with the regularity of a slow and frustrating metronome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But I bent the rules for her…just this once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">As she posed, she also dozed, giving me even more frustrating head angles. But, I embraced the experience and came up with this portrait of a disappearing little gray person painted from life.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> (below)</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Little Gray Person<br />Judy Takács</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">While I was painting, I also snapped photos because I knew there was a better painting yet to come. I also had no idea how long the photos would sit on my hard drive after she was gone, before I steeled myself to approach them as painting reference…let alone look at them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Now it’s been not quite two years, and I felt the time was right to approach this “final portrait” of my mom…especially with the advent of my solo show, SECRETS, coming up in May.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I’m not a believer in the afterlife per se, but my mom was. To her, the afterlife was a glorious journey where you find out everything you didn’t get to find out during your lifetime. Ever the control master (like mother, like daughter) she wrote her own eulogy reassuring us that she was now on to new discoveries about historical and scientific questions that had plagued the ages. I’m sure she is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">As I watched her read while I painted her, the pages of the book began to look more like angel wings…allowing her to soar via the vast knowledge she was gaining in the afterlife.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I surrounded her with her own words. If you’ve read my other blogs on my <a href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2017/06/ephemera.html">Ephemera</a> paintings, you’ll know that my mom, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalma_Tak%C3%A1cs">Dalma Takács</a>, was an English Professor who left mountains of handwritten words; journals, plays, concepts, fictions, histories and class notes. These class notes were color-coded on multi-colored notecards. From this vast store, I tore juicy tidbits of her observations on the many books she read and lectured to her classes about. There are reflections on heaven, hell, good, evil, puritans, monsters in fiction and reality and Beowulf too.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />The ancient poem, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf">Beowulf </a>is particularly pertinent, because the day before she died, she told me all about Beowulf, and his quest to slay Grendel.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The actual book she was reading when she came to pose was one about Greek Tragic Drama. In the painting, however, I decided to substitute the book she was reading when she died. It was a book by her own father, <a href="https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A1l%C3%B3czi_Horv%C3%A1th_Lajos">Lajos Páloczi Horváth</a>; an autobiographical account of his life during the Second World War, Communist Hungary, his time in political prison and the Hungarian Revolution that released him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The name of that book was, <a href="https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A1l%C3%B3czi_Horv%C3%A1th_Lajos">“Két Világ Határán”…Between Two Worlds</a>…kinda perfect actually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">And, the name of my painting is <i>The Final Chapter. </i>She made her debut this summer at SECRETS, my inaugural exhibition with Marilyn Szalay at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve.<br /><br />And now, she's hanging in New York City as part of the:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Another study for The Final Chapter<br />Judy Takács</span></td></tr>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-43164273896004996912018-05-09T11:57:00.000-07:002018-05-09T11:57:47.377-07:00Venus and Winged Victory<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;">My older Venus has spent an eternity presenting her gifts to the world; peace, love, sexuality and fertility. Her lean and aging body is evidence of what she has readily given for eons, as are her Botticelli braids, which are positively fallopian. These gifts which mortal women…and goddesses… present to the world so willingly, are sometimes taken by force, coercion and legislation and used against us to deny us the power we naturally hold. Greek Mythology, contemporary religions and the headlines give us plenty of examples of this. <br /><br />And yet women…and goddesses… continue to give.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Winged Victory</i><br />Judy Takács</span></td></tr>
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;">Once again posing the my favorite model to paint, I asked her to clutch antique rug beaters; a metaphor for the trials of existence; being beaten. Her firm grasp on them, however exerts control.</span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;">Ever the optimist, I also saw the rug beaters as wings…winged victory.<br /><br />I'm thrilled to announce that both these paintings were accepted into the:<br /><br /></span><br />
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<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Ninth Annual May Show<br />Lakeland Community College</b><br /><br />Opening Reception:<br />Thursday night May 17th, 6:00 to 9:00<br /><br />Show continues through July 13th<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lakelandcc.edu/gallery#">Lakeland Community College</a><br />7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, Ohio<br /><br />Thank you to <br />Ohio Art Council judge Ken Emmerick for what I know was an incredibly difficult decision process with so many wonderful entries. <br /><br />And Thank You to Mary Urbas for, year after year, putting together this <br />premier Northeast Ohio juried exhibition; <br />The May Show at Lakeland.<br /><br />In case you need more reasons to go see the show, here’s the list of <a href="http://www.lakelandcc.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=edee36e7-2507-4781-ba31-8dd2485675fb&groupId=454318">artists who are included</a>.</span></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-80673674235333222952018-05-04T05:07:00.000-07:002018-05-04T05:27:25.842-07:00Venus, She’s Got It…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“A Goddess on the mountaintop…was burning like a silver flame…the summit of beauty and love…and Venus was her name”*</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">In 1967 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPEhQugz-Ew">Mariska Veres sang</a> these words with the band, <b>Shocking Blue</b> and they have occupied my head ever since I began researching and painting, <i>She’s Got It </i> for Poets/Artists <a href="https://www.artsy.net/show/zhou-b-haus-der-kunst-visions-of-venus">Visions of Venus/Venus’ Visions</a> exhibition at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago. Sadly, my work wasn’t accepted into the show…but the whole project resulted in several paintings I love, so it’s all good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The shocking blue background, the flame, the planet(s) and my beautiful and sensuous Venus; a recent mother…not quite “black as the dark night,” all came from the song. My Venus’ artful braids were real, but I multiplied, embellished and brought them to life…much like Botticelli did with his Venus’ flowing hair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">As I researched this most-famous Goddess of all time, I found that she is more than the welcoming, fleshy, pale and pampered woman languishing about in so many Renaissance paintings. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">Botticelli, <i>Birth of Venus</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The Goddess of Love and Desire, sprouting from a shell…or from sea foam…(depending on which artist you ask) fully formed, is also the Goddess of Peace, softening the swagger and violence of her male counterpart, Mars, the God of War. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wikipedia tell us that, “In myth, Venus/Aphrodite was born of sea-foam. Roman </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology"><span style="color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;">theology</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> presents Venus as the yielding, watery female principle, essential to the generation and balance of life. Her male counterparts in the Roman pantheon, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_(mythology)"><span style="color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;">Vulcan</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_(mythology)"><span style="color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;">Mars</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, are active and fiery. Venus absorbs and tempers the male essence, uniting the opposites of male and female in mutual affection. She is essentially assimilative and benign, and embraces several otherwise quite disparate functions. She can give military victory, sexual success, good fortune and prosperity.”</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Paul Rubens, <i>Prometheus on the Rocks</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Interpreting the Mythology (as all artists have throughout art history)…I saw Venus as more a Prometheus character. Prometheus is the Demi-God who brings fire from the Gods to the mortals of the earth and is punished for it by being strapped to a rock to have the vultures eat his liver for all of eternity…the Rubens’ painting in the MET makes this horrifically graphic.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />For my painting, I interpreted Venus as a symbol of the African American Woman. Her gift of fire; whether its tending the home with the cooking fire, the fire in her heart to achieve, the fire to love, the fire to create, the fire to fight for justice and the fire to bring forth new life and to nurture it…is historically unrecognized, unappreciated, diminished and often destroyed. <br /><br />Venus as Prometheus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My painting, however is hopeful. Her expression is concerned but peaceful as she graces a non-Euro-centric perspective of the earth beneath her fingers. Look closely, Africa is on top…and why shouldn't it be? The universe is three dimensional, there is no up or down, but the globe-makers were European, so Europe is depicted in the top half of the globe every time. I show my Venus’ vision and her unique viewpoint.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />And, her flame is burning brightly as she peacefully presents it to the world…again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> *VENUS written by Robbie Van Leeuwen</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Venus, She’s Got It…</i>will be showing at my Two-Artist Inaugural Exhibit with the late <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Szalay">Marilyn Szalay</a> at the <a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">Artists Archives of the Western Reserve</a>.<br />Mark your Calendars for the May 24th opening reception. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/"><span style="color: red;">Szalay…Takács…Secrets</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">Artists Archives of the Western Reserve</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Opening Reception: May 24, from 5:30 to 8:00</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Show continues through July 14, 2018<br /></span></h3>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-89072601985554644352018-04-25T09:43:00.000-07:002018-04-25T12:27:57.905-07:00SECRETS…Revealed May 24th at the Artists Archives!<div class="" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic";">I’m thrilled to issue the official announcement and press release for my upcoming two-artist show at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio…just one month away!</span></div>
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<span class="" style="color: #ff2600; font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 36px;">SZALAY…TAKÁCS…SECRETS</span><br />
<span class=""><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: medium;">Inaugural Exhibit featuring the works of archived artists, Judy Takács and the late Marilyn Szalay</span><br class="" /><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: medium;"><a class="" href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">Artists Archives of the Western Reserve</a>, Cleveland, Ohio</span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: medium;">Opening Reception: </span><br class="" /><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 36px;"><span style="color: #ff2600;">Thursday, May 24, 5:30 to 8:00</span></span><br class="" /><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: medium;">Show runs through July 14, 2018</span></span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">Several years in the making, (or a lifetime, depending on when you started the clock) I am honored to be sharing my inaugural exhibit at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve with the work of Cleveland’s late and legendary figure drawing master, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Szalay">Marilyn Szalay</a>, who passed away in 2012.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /></span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">SECRETS features new work from me, along with pieces from my <a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2014/10/kim-keeper-of-time-by-judy-takacs-kims.html">Chicks with Balls project</a> my <a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2014/03/painting-nuns-coveredand-uncovered-woman.html">NUN</a> project, my </span><a class="" href="http://judytakacspaintspeople.com/judytakacspaintspeople.com/Paintings/Pages/The_Age_of_Adventure.html"><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">paintings of the elderly</span></a><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"> and work inspired by the <a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2013/11/taking-my-eyes-off-ball.html">passing of my parents</a> and the family secrets I discovered subsequently.</span><br />
<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /></span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">I’m also excited that the exhibit will feature many never-before-exhibited charcoal masterpieces by the powerfully</span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><span class=""> prolific, </span><a class="" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Szalay">Marilyn Szalay</a>. These pieces were chosen by Mindy Tousley, Executive Director of Artists Archives and myself, from the collection of her works lovingly cared for by her sister.</span><br />
<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /></span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><span class="" style="color: #ff2600; font-size: medium;">Why SECRETS? </span></span><br />
<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /></span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">Art is full of secrets…secret meanings, symbolism, struggles and statements. Some secrets, in the case of Marilyn Szalay’s work…go to the grave with the artist, leaving curators and art historians to investigate, gather clues and put together assumptions. </span><br />
<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /></span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">Some secrets, however, are </span><a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2013/12/last-stop-before-heavena-heathen-paints.html" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">readily explained by the artist</a><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">…and an art historian, curator or critic need only </span><a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2016/11/guardian-angel-of-good-death-judy.html" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">read the artist's blog</a><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"> to find out the whats and the whys behind decisions and symbols. This is certainly true in my case; </span><a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/2016/03/serenity-prayer.html" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">many of my secrets are in plain sight</a><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"> at </span><a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/search?q=ephemera" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com</a><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">. But, even my blog is not a “tell-all confessional”…</span><a class="" href="http://chickswithballsjudytakacs.blogspot.com/search?q=nina" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">some secrets remain secret.</a><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"> </span><br />
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">One of my goals in showing my work with Lynn’s was to also create a Wikipedia page for her.</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">I spent the past few months putting this together, writing it in encyclopaedic format (no easy feat for me with my love of adjectives, superlatives and metaphors) and submitted it for approval…preparing to be put through a few months of back and forth with changes and corrections from Wikipedia’s judges and jury. <br /><br />I submitted it at 9:00 in the morning a few Tuesdays ago and was shocked and thrilled that they accepted it by lunchtime that same day, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Szalay">Marilyn Szalay</a> is officially part of art history now, with her own Wikipedia page. Her notability is obvious by the mark the has left on the figurative art world, so I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised one bit her page was approved so quickly.</span><br />
<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /></span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">If you haven't clicked on her name already or seen her work (below), check out </span><a class="" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Szalay" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Marilyn Szalay on Wikipedia here</a></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /></span><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">Read more about </span><a class="" href="http://canjournal.org/2018/02/artists-archives-western-reserve-spring-2018/" style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"> SZALAY…TAKÁCS…SECRETS in CAN Journal here</a>.</div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">Put May 24, 5:30 to 8:00 on your calendar for what I’m predicting will be a thoroughly satisfying celebration of figurative art in Northeast Ohio.</span><br />
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><br class="" /><br class="" />Hope to see you there!</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">Judy</span></div>
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<span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";"><span class="">Artists Archives of the Western Reserve</span><br class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;" /><span class="">1834 E. 123rd Street</span><br class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;" /><span class="">Cleveland, Ohio</span><br class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;" /><a class="" href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="" style="font-family: "century gothic";">artists archives.org</span></a><br class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;" /><span class="">216 721-9020</span></span></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-72454090824535852402018-04-03T12:11:00.002-07:002018-04-03T12:11:07.814-07:00A shameless plug for Allied Artists of America…which is about to get a whole lot more social!
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-r38-PazyY/WsPOO6hYSeI/AAAAAAAABL8/HowdrhhHcxEzylhgvfFM_clFrrEYRJj9QCLcBGAs/s1600/aaa%2Blogo%2Bred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-r38-PazyY/WsPOO6hYSeI/AAAAAAAABL8/HowdrhhHcxEzylhgvfFM_clFrrEYRJj9QCLcBGAs/s320/aaa%2Blogo%2Bred.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /><br />That’s because, I’m the new Social Media Chair for the <a href="http://alliedartistsofamerica.org/">Allied Artists of America</a>…that’s their logo above!<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Not sure how this happened, but just about 10 years ago, I remember sitting at dinner with friends and saying, “Wait…facebook? What’s that?” Sharon, who was several steps ahead of me said she’d send me a “friend request” (huh? I’d known her for 10 years already) so I could join up.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And she did. And then I joined up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And the rest is history…or at least facebook history…which changes on a dime depending on their algorithms du jour.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For some reason now, I’m considered a “social media expert”…not by the young mind you, but by the mature folk like myself and older. So I get offered amazing opportunities to do work in social media, have a lot of influence, </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">meet some talented artists and <a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">even s</a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.artistsarchives.org/event/szalay-takacs-secrets/">peak on the topic</a> at my <a href="http://canjournal.org/2018/02/artists-archives-western-reserve-spring-2018/">upcoming two-artist exhibition!</a><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My social media expertise was first rewarded/called upon in 2014 when <a href="http://portraitsocietyceciliabeauxforum.blogspot.com/2015/02/our-portraits-our-selves-focus-on_28.html">Judith Carducci</a> asked me to Chair the New Media Relations Committee of the Cecilia Beaux Forum of the <a href="http://www.portraitsociety.org/">Portrait Society of America</a>. She didn’t need to twist my arm. I was chomping at the bit to play a more significant and useful role in this worthy organization whose meetings I love to attend and whose members I love to party with.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I wrapped up my 3-year term at the Portrait Society of America and left things in excellent hands with the new Chair of Social Media, <a href="http://www.stephaniedeshpande.com/">Stephanie Deshpande</a>, when just last month, I was approached by <a href="http://www.gabrieladellosso.com/">Gabriela Gonzalez Dellosso</a>. I had originally met Gabriela when I wrote a <a href="http://portraitsocietyceciliabeauxforum.blogspot.com/2015/02/our-portraits-our-selves-focus-on_17.html">Portrait Society blog article</a> about her series of self-portraits as the great women artists of history…shortly after that Gabriela wrote an article about me for <a href="http://sankofareview.com/2015/10/">Sankofa Review</a>! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">So, fast forward to January 2018, Gabriela asked me if I would be interested in the position of Social Media Chair for the <a href="http://alliedartistsofamerica.org/">Allied Artists of America</a>. This was a Board Position with a national arts organization, based in NYC, and had been around for 114 years, so I was thrilled to…very impulsively…say yes immediately. In fact, I remember my return text to Gabriela (from the cab we were in on the way to see the <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2017/michelangelo">Michelangelo show at the MET</a>) was, “I shall impulsively say yes!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, now, for the shameless plug…</span> </h3>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you’re an artist, I’ve set up some social media platforms for Allied Artists of America that will help you connect and enhance the reach of your own social media efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you’re a collector, patron, art lover, or just a big fan of all things creative, these social media platforms are for you too! Have fun with them and enjoy!<br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mVNNhU7Gj8U/WsPP0387XTI/AAAAAAAABMI/YNUjS5enlkIi-DDUitvfdp7kBQIxhOZagCLcBGAs/s1600/Allied%2BArtists%2BGroup%2BPage%2BHeader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mVNNhU7Gj8U/WsPP0387XTI/AAAAAAAABMI/YNUjS5enlkIi-DDUitvfdp7kBQIxhOZagCLcBGAs/s640/Allied%2BArtists%2BGroup%2BPage%2BHeader.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/alliedartistsofamerica.org/" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">REQUEST TO JOIN</span></b></a><b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #ff2600; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">the</span><span style="color: #ff2600; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/alliedartistsofamerica.org/" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">NEW Allied Artists of America Group Page</span></i></b></a><span style="color: #ff2600; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">on Facebook. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">Here’s where members can easily share art achievements, activities, blog posts, workshops, upcoming shows, awards and announcements. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">You can also share content that may be of interest to other members; upcoming museum exhibits, articles on art issues, blogs about process and materials…or ask questions, advice and bring up art topics for discussion.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nQi4ixWGMyU/WsPP_vZgZ_I/AAAAAAAABMM/ofpKPeA4f9cTHG7WcEsEfLVeGzsnRnleQCLcBGAs/s1600/Allied%2BArtists%2BLike%2BPage%2BHeader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nQi4ixWGMyU/WsPP_vZgZ_I/AAAAAAAABMM/ofpKPeA4f9cTHG7WcEsEfLVeGzsnRnleQCLcBGAs/s640/Allied%2BArtists%2BLike%2BPage%2BHeader.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlliedArtistsofAmerica/about/?ref=page_internal" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">LIKE</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff2600; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">the existing</span><i style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #ff2600; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlliedArtistsofAmerica/about/?ref=page_internal" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">Allied Artists of America Page</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff2600; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">on Facebook…and click “See First” to make sure you see what is posted there! </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">These two facebook pages will work together to enhance your reach.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-r38-PazyY/WsPOO6hYSeI/AAAAAAAABMA/iUXtmZo4wMUVn4TidAM5TEhPqYg4dzDfgCEwYBhgL/s1600/aaa%2Blogo%2Bred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P-r38-PazyY/WsPOO6hYSeI/AAAAAAAABMA/iUXtmZo4wMUVn4TidAM5TEhPqYg4dzDfgCEwYBhgL/s320/aaa%2Blogo%2Bred.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/alliedartistsofamerica/" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">FOLLOW</span></b></a><span style="color: #ff2600; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">us on the</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">NEW</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">Instagram account…</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/alliedartistsofamerica/" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14pt;">@alliedartistsofamerica</span></b></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">…and we’ll follow you back! </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">Tag @alliedartistsofamerica when you post announcements to your own instagram and further your reach!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you know me, it seems like I’m *<b>always</b>* on facebook…I’m actually not, but I’m there quite a bit, so these will be well-tended pages. And if you post and share and comment, these sites will be exponentially even more fun, and help expand the reach of your art marketing efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And, if you’d like to get in on an actual membership to the Allied Artists of America, here’s how you can<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="http://alliedartistsofamerica.org/join-renew/"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">join or renew your membership</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and, </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">if you’re an Associate Member, enter the </span><a href="http://alliedartistsofamerica.org/prospectus/"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Associate Online Exhibition</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">…deadline April 15th! Entering this show may well be your fast pass to “elected membership” in the Allied Artists of America…the top ten winners of the Online Associate show will be invited to become elected members!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Remember, you can enjoy the Social Media platforms of Allied Artists of America no matter whether you’re a member or not. I hope to see many of you out there on facebook and will work to make <a href="http://alliedartistsofamerica.org/">Allied Artists of America</a> your new favorite arts organization!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5984099763008252757.post-80427983475192010922018-03-03T08:05:00.000-08:002018-03-03T08:05:27.148-08:00Jan Rescues<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_aO6rsA9Sk/WlKV8VavSsI/AAAAAAAABKA/QWhsx_lKi4ku2HvrvdKdwHNUYIo9dPGxgCLcBGAs/s1600/Rescued%2B-%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="391" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_aO6rsA9Sk/WlKV8VavSsI/AAAAAAAABKA/QWhsx_lKi4ku2HvrvdKdwHNUYIo9dPGxgCLcBGAs/s640/Rescued%2B-%2B1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rescued<br />
Judy Takács</td></tr>
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With her whole heart and soul, Jan provides a welcoming home for pets that have been abandoned elsewhere. She is an activist and advocate for creatures great and small through her work with the <a href="http://www.geaugahumane.org/">Rescue Village</a> in Geauga County, where she has volunteered for the past 28 years fulfilling just about every need this Humane Center has; performing transports, serving on many committees, working on events and chairing campaigns. She now serves on the board of trustees of this caring and very necessary organization. </div>
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I wanted to depict Jan with her creatures, a sweet dog, Indigo with one blue eye and a brown one and a shy cat named Diesel who posed beautifully and obliged my chasing her with a camera surprisingly well.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Visually, I was intrigued by the black and charcoal coloring of her lovely pets, and the strong silhouettes made by their sleek bodies. There’s a <a href="https://thebark.com/content/black-dogs-face-hard-choice-shelter">sad statistic</a> that states that black dogs and cats are least likely to be rescued…not in Jan’s house though. Indigo and Diesel are happy, healthy and here to stay.</div>
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When I came to visit her house and meet her pets, Jan presented me with two feathers…a black one and a white one. They were such a perfect visual foil for both her gorgeous dark pets with white chest markings. I had to include them in the painting…and because feathers are so fun to paint, I really went to town with the feather concept!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Jan also wrote down for me the Native American concept behind a feather… a lovely piece of symbolic wisdom:</div>
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Each part of the feather is symbolic of a life.</div>
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The quill represents our inner strength and the path we are on.</div>
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The feather is divided into two parts, male or female, good or bad, right or wrong.</div>
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The fluffy down at the bottom is infancy; our beginning.</div>
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The Veins represent the days of our lives and the choices we make.</div>
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And the top is adulthood.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">And, since this painting is part of the Chicks with Balls series, <br />you might well ask, Where are the balls? <br /><br />The answer is: there are none…nor are there ovaries. Jan is a firm believer in spaying and neutering all rescued pets.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica";">So happy to announce that </span><i style="font-family: Helvetica;">Rescued</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"> will be showing for the first time in Northeast Ohio at Lakeland Community College in March! Please join me at the artist reception on Sunday March 25th, or stop by and see the always fabulous from WOMAN show…organized year after year by the ever-amazing Mary Urbas, gallery director at Lakeland.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><br /></span>“from WOMAN XI”<br />Lakeland Community College<br />February 25th through March 31st<br /><br />Meet the Artists Reception: <br />Sunday, March 25th from 3:30 to 5:00<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://lkn.lakelandcc.edu/apps/integration/launch/display.cfm?ID=2660&type=e">Lakeland Community College</a><br />7700 Clocktower Drive<br />Kirtland, Ohio</span></h2>
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Judy Takacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15908492142178743383noreply@blogger.com0