Here's a watercolour with a really bad hairdo :-D
Let me explain. Since I don't have time to post on my blog every day, I post my faces in the 29-faces-Facebook-group. After I posted my roadmap-spread with the 7 faces and an excerpt from the poem by Warsan Shire about refugees, I got the request to refrain from making "political posts".
This is the spread:
Although I had been expecting something like this (after all, every artist who has been speaking out on social media against Trump has been attacked one way or another) I was a bit shocked. For me, this was not a political post. This quote is about suffering and trying to understand what it must be like to have to flee your country. When I use quotes in my art (which is more often than not) I like to use quotes that speak to me and that make people think. The fact that someone finds this offensive enough to ask me not to post it makes me sad, and very afraid for what this presidency is doing to the world and to the minds of people. Had I posted this two years ago I'm sure no one would even be bothered by it.
That being said, I got really positive and heartwarming comments on this spread in the FB-group. So I didn't want to stir up bad feelings and just put a short message in the comments-section of this picture that I wouldn't be posting in 29 faces anymore because some were uncomfortable with it. Today I wanted to read some of the comments again, and found out my picture was removed from the group...
Well, that rather pissed me off....
And it made me decide that, even though 29 faces has been my favorite challenge over the years, and I have been participating since the beginning in 2012, I won't be participating anymore in the future.
A lot of people are tired of talking about politics. They just want to get back to "normal life" and ignore what's going on. Fair enough. It is so easy to look away, especially when (you think) you're not the one being affected by what happens. But just think about this: one of the bills that asshole just signed is about allowing to dump mining waste into the water. Dump mining waste into the water....
* Think about it *
And then there's a video of it where he's bragging about signing it and all these people are standing around him smiling and beaming and applauding. And I think: WTF!? What a bunch of immoral, irresponsible, selfish bastards! And here's what I don't get: why isn't the whole world speaking out against this? Why are so many people quiet about it? Why do they want to ignore what's going on? Why do they think this is all right? How can they not be outraged? And what the hell gives them the right to criticize people who do speak out?
I will not stay quiet. With every outrageous thing that he does, every ridiculous law that he signs, I will speak out. Sometimes in words, sometimes in my art, but I will not be silenced. And if my actions result in just one person starting to think about what's happening instead of ignoring it, I will be happy. In this time and age we won't be able to escape responsibility for what happens by saying: "Wir haben es nicht gewusst"(we didn't know), as so many "normal" Germans were saying at the end of WW2. Everyone knows, even if you choose to look away. At least I will be able to look my children and grandchildren in the eyes and say I resisted with all I could.
Okay, I'll get of my high chair now ... ;-)
For those of you who are still with me, here are some more faces :-)
Another sketch:
And two more map-spreads:
That's it for now. I will be linking to Paint Party Friday. Hop on over there for some great art and inspiration!
Finishing with some funnies:
And then some to think about ....
Thanks for staying with me till the end :-) I hope your day is beautiful, and that your weekend will be filled with kindness. See you next week ♥ ♥ ♥
WHAT????? Someone was offended by that poem? And Martha removed your post? I am deeply disappointed.....and I was really starting to get into the challenge this year and trying to finish......I'm going to have to think long and hard about continuing.....because I'm with you all the way on this one. We MUST stand up to bullies! And stand for what is right! If I go down, I want to go down fighting for what's right. I DO KNOW! I DO SEE! And I AM speaking out!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry Martha didn't have more chutzpah and defend you. She should have removed the commenter's post......
DeleteWell, actually I found out today that she removed all of my map-faces and only left the "happy" ones .... :-|
DeleteI am more than surprised that Martha would do this or allow this. The fact that "people" now think that every little word is an assault against them is the beginning of the loss of freedom of speech laws. This is a good read especially what is happening in schools and American colleges. http://www.newsweek.com/2016/06/03/college-campus-free-speech-thought-police-463536.html It is happening NOW everyday. Something as ludicrous as the taking down The Walking Dead T shirt with eni meni mino moe. This is the the beginning of Staci and Thought speech and this administration is the one that will enforce it. I don't know why politicians and governments from around the world are NOT opposing what is happening here with real resistance. Ya know financial resistance. It is frightening to see a realization happen before my eyes. A country that is being taken back 150 years to a time of industrial pollution, loss of labor laws, and the right to stand for what one believes. trump will get rid of the media and impose his own. I have people tell me that he will not do these things that he is looking out for us. OMG I want to throw up every time I hear this. The people I know who like him defend him with vigor. It is said that another hitler can't happen how wrong this thinking is. If the human race survives him, people will look back in time and say, "How did the world allow this? Keep creating your art of thought and truth because the very people if "offends" are the people that need to see it. I love your art and will defend it. In fact I am writing to Martha and will no longer participate in 29 Faces. Hugs my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a frightening read Nicole :-( There is so much anger, so much hate, so much intolerance between people nowadays. I can imagine that it's even a lot worse in the US. We here in Europe only hear about the most outrageous things this administration does, but because I have a lot of American friends on FB I get to read a lot of articles I wouldn't normally have access to. And they're not fake news, I check everything. It makes me wonder how much our governments really know about what's going on ...
DeleteI'm Canadian and we here are aghast at what's happening south of us. It's horrifying to watch all the American people that are good, moral people cringe in fear and disgust watching their new President talk about anything. I think what happened to you at 29Faces is awful and I think your piece is spectacular. I don't usually tell other artists this because I know it can sound pompous but if that was a piece not in your journal I'd put it on my wall. To me, that's one of the most honorific things one artist can say to another. To say "I like your art so much I want to see it everyday" is one of the best things any artist can hear from another. I hope you understand I mean that in the highest esteem. I think that piece is just that good. It spoke to me and anyone not seeing that is just.. well, blind. I read your post to my mom and she said you should take your own advice in your art. You don't need that kind of person, one who thinks like they do, in your life. I'm glad to hear you left them, they didn't deserve to see your art. Keep getting on your soapbox, you speak so well and we who are listening are glad you're up there. I hope you have a lovely weekend, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks so much Jennifer ♥ This is indeed one of the best things I can hear from another artist! This is what makes me so sad: I really love that poem about refugees, because it so achingly describes what it must be like to flee your country and leave everything behind. I cannot imagine someone not being moved when they read it. It is so universal and painful and it could happen to any of us, no matter how "safe" we might feel at this moment. The people in Syria had normal lives like us until a few years ago. And then to have my faces, because part of this poem was on it, removed from the group is for me hard to understand. Your mom is very right, I don't want to even know people like that anymore...
DeleteOh, there are always people who don't understand right artist's message. Sorry to hear about what happend to you.
ReplyDeleteI love your art as well as words you write or say. The subborn woman is my fav this week.
Happy PPF and week ahead xx
Compassion for refugees shouldn't be considered political! This post made me cry! I too read it to my family, I'm beyond sad! Your art and soul is beautiful! Speak your heart!
ReplyDeleteLove Giggles
Hi Denthe, I am with you in feelings and definitely when I voted. But I am silent on these issues most of the time because open discussion of them is splitting families and life-long friends. The friends I have that I know voted for Trump are also silent when with me, as they know I don't agree. I wonder if they are still okay with the fact that they voted for him? It makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can so understand that Gloria. It's horrible how this is tearing families and friends apart. I too wonder how many regret their vote now. I really would like to know. Although I'm having a hard time with it, I can even get why people voted for him in November. But if they're still with him now, hmm .... I'm having very serious doubts about their morals ...
DeleteLove your art, as always, and stay political! It's RIGHT to open you mouth and complain about what's going on in the world just now, especially when that A***hole is doing his best to silence all criticism. Happy PPF, Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm appalled that your spread was removed. It was the most heartfelt, beautifully depicted artwork I've seen. Shame on those involved. What a shallow attitude to life all those concerned must have.
ReplyDeleteYour faces paintings this week are delightful... oooh I always love wispy, curling and fly-away hair as your bad hairdo girl has!
Thanks too for the funnies and the thoughtfuls.
Good for you Denthe :D)
I love your paintings, especially when they are so expressive! Human suffering happens in all realms, and illustrating a poem is just that. Silly that one would push that into the political arena. It is a shame, we should all be mindful and considerate of other's beliefs. Don't let anyone stunt your creativity!
ReplyDeleteLove your posts and your thoughts!! Please come and visit my blog--I think you will like seeing my latest "political" paintings!! www.janetsartplay.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful art and soul is in the right place Denise. Whatever happened to freedom of speech or expression? And how is it that your art would be removed because someone thought it political-and perhaps just didn't agree with it when it was put in a place specifically to share your personal styles? What if everyone had every right to destroy art done by the masters over the years just because of opposing view points-what a sad state that would be!
ReplyDeleteSo now, us bloggers are lucky enough to have each other and view our art without condemning.
LOVE your messy haired girl-do you know what some salons charge for that look??? :):) Happy PPF and have a great weekend!
Wow! I didn't know your art was removed from the Facebook group. Well BOOOO. That's just ridiculously silly and I'm not going to post there either anymore. I don't want to be part of any art censorship group. My latest crowd scene has pink pussy hats in it. I wonder if it will get taken down from the Facebook group too.
ReplyDeleteLove the faces you've posted here. I think your map people are amazing and I love the quotes! They're perfect. And the funnies are hilarious. I love the thigh gap one. That's me! LOL :)
Beautiful work Denise! Please continue to post your expressive art on your blog, it's unfortunate what happened.
ReplyDeleteThe world is going insane! And our president (USA) is leading the way. We all need to remember the famous quote “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I hope you keep writing and sharing your thoughts and concerns. I love your art and I love you even more for the stand you're taking. I am appalled by what's happening in my country right now and my husband and I are taking a stand for what we believe. All human beings have rights but if we aren't careful they're going to disappear one after the other. We're on a slippery slope right now and we need to be very careful about what we allow to happen. I'm terrified of what's coming next.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF, lots of food for thought
ReplyDeletemuch love...
people are sticking their heads in the sand over what is happening, and I didn't think so many people were so bloody daft to not see what is happening. people need to think and find the FACTS, the REAL facts not the ones drumpf and his handlers are making up. the world needs people to speak up or we will just end up back in the 30's :/
ReplyDeleteHearing this angers me! I've been with the group from the beginning too but will not be posting there anymore. I have always admired your art but more I admire your ability to stand up for what you believe and express that message so well with your art.
ReplyDeleteFWIW... I love hearing from you. You have MAD talent and your art always speaks to me. Thank you for sharing. You are making the world a better and more beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteYour blog, your voice, so don't let anyone try to make you be quiet! Live that Jane Austen quote. We live on the other side of the world, but we're watching carefully (and prayerfully) what is happening - and it's frightening.
ReplyDeleteI am APPALLED that someone would ask this of you- how dare they!
ReplyDeleteWe won't stay quiet and will not shut our eyes and hope it all goes away- it will not!
Denise, to hell with the Martha's and the others out there that do not respect freedom of speech and art!
I still cannot believe that there are people who do not see a direct correlation to Hitler and his policies
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
I continue to support you and all you stand for and am grateful that you "will not stay silent"
much love and respect,Jackie
and I love those funnies!
Your comments are thoughtful. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. On the happy side, your artwork is incredibly strong and moving.
ReplyDeleteYou have a right to free speech and the right to create your art the way you wish!!!
ReplyDeleteAt least for now we are still a free country!
My husband's favorite saying is...
George Washington..."I cannot tell a lie."
Nixon..."I cannot tell the truth."
Trump..."I cannot tell the difference."
Your art is fantastic!!!
Jan
Your faces are all gorgeous, Denise. And I think the bear funny really is funny. I don't think either side is being honestly represented by the press. Having been a columnist and writer for several publications, I know "information" can be slanted in whatever way is popular (or not). Don't believe everything you hear, see, or read from either camp. For security's sake, everything can't be revealed. You are too young to remember: "loose lips sink ships" from WW2. I think more is going on than the public knows about. I just hope it's for the good.
ReplyDeleteAbout the mining bill, please look at http://www.city-data.com/county/McDowell_County-WV.html and see why mining must come back to this, the poorest area of the US. They depended on coal mining. Instead of taking it away something should be done to protect the waterways and still allow the mining. I'm all for helping immigrants, but I am also all about helping America's poor.
DeleteAbout the 29 Faces. I think each host has the right to set boundaries. I think Martha just wants the challenge to be about art, period. Of course, you are certainly allowed the privilege of expressing your opinions on your own blog. I didn't see the 7 Faces piece as about immigration bans, but about the terrible tragedy of being a person without a safe country.
ReplyDeleteHello Denthe, i hope you are having a great Sunday. I have read your post on Friday and wanted to think a little bit about it before i have commented.I think your art is beautiful. I always thought so as i have been following you over the years, long before you moved to Belgium, while you were in Australia.I was especially struck by the way you juxtaposed maps and your art. Looking at your paintings is reading faces and i love it.I believe we are all political in some way or another. Some people express themselves more directly while others talk in other ways, through art, poetry, you name it.Immigration is not peculiar to one era or person.The situation is the same in my country (Turkey)We have been experiencing a flood of refugees in the last decade. Surely this had led to many problems on both sides and especially social aspects and integration of refugees were started to be discussed. Because you know we are all human. But last year all research on immigrants and refugees were shut down. The administration pretends millions of refugees is not here.This is so sad. And funny at the same time. Because you would not find a single person in Turkey whose ancestors have not been an immigrant in some way.Looking all of this i got out of Facebook in summer.(there are many visible and invisible "limits" in Facebook) I kept my blog to express what i think.Now unto the second issue :) Thank you for visiting my blog. You asked if i speak Dutch, i would say een beetje. Let me try this: Ik ben een conservatie arkitekt. Im zommer ik werk in een Belgie archeologie project, Sagalassos, in Turkije bei KU Leuven. Since 2000 i work there and my art journal was actually my Dutch learning book Vanzelfsprekend :) I enjoy altering it with my art and i learn as i go.
ReplyDeleteAmazing art ! Wow! Happy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteLove your face drawings. And I love that bear funny! I am definitely for saving the environment and free speech!
ReplyDeleteI love your faces and your words. Your bear was darling! And the thumb joke got me laughing! We live in some really difficult times and people are more "US" against "THEM" which does not get anything done at all...I was horrified at the DAPL. All anyone can do, for whatever they believe in, is keep talking whenever possible. So sorry you had that experience with 29faces. Hope you have a great week. Big Hugz, Rasz
ReplyDeleteI meant to comment on this post when it appeared in my emails last week but as always life got in the way. I haven't been a regular PPFer or blogger this last while but am looking more at Bloglovin as a way to keep up with fellow blogs I love and when I saw this just now on my Bloglovin feed it reminded me I had wanted to comment. Anyway, I'm sorry that you were asked not to bring politics into the art challenge - I know you've always been a big fan of the 29 faces challenge and I don't think what you wrote in your quote was political - how can anyone not empathise with what refugees are going through regardless of where their political affiliations lie? I agree with you that it's when people sit back and do nothing that evil is allowed to continue unchecked and it's incredibly dangerous to not speak out while Trump continues to run roughshod over human rights and the environment and I admire your passion for speaking out against him - I always chuckle at the memes you share on Facebook! That said, I have taken a step back recently from watching the news and even going on social media because I found that it was just consuming me and right now, my desire to stay informed is clashing with my desire to stay sane. I feel so helpless to change things from my little corner of the world but you have reminded me that if everyone just buries their head in the sand then who is going to stand up for what is right. I applaud you.xx
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are all wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for speaking up, honoring your truth, heart and the spirit of life itself.
Unbelievable. Only happy faces. Shit, no.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been participating in 29faces for the last couple of times and now it's easy to forget that challenge.
Artists have obligation to take a stand. Go, Denthe, go!
I think your art is beautiful- however the rules of the group do ask that your art be about faces and to keep the space a place to create art to share ONLY faces. It is her group and her decision to remove art that is not just faces if she likes--why could it not be as simple as leaving the group because it was not what worked for you? You have your freedom of speech--but this is a free online group she maintains for NO money and she has her own right for freedom of not wanting anything other than faces in her art group. I think that there were probably a lot of other groups as well as your own facebook wall that you could have posted this art to and shared your beliefs. To get a bunch of other people to attack someone because they are running the group they started they way they want to is kind of sad. She never even said if she agreed or disagreed with your statement- all she did was remove it--yet here she is being attacked by all of you as if she somehow has made a statement that she disagrees with your belief. Furthermore--if a person wants to spend their own free time and create a group for only "happy faces" that is her freedom of speech right to do so. those of you saying I will not be silent and will not stand for it----fine--but go into a different space and do it. She has every right to run that group the way she wants to run it--just because you don't agree is not a cause for bashing. Leave the group and move on.
ReplyDeleteKim, my art was about faces. There were 7 faces on there, and the quote was not political.
DeleteThat being said, at first I was hesitant about saying anything about this on my blog, because I didn't want to stir up negative feelings between people. But I've been participating in this challenge for so long, and I felt I needed to explain why I stopped participating. It was never my intention to attack her, and rereading my post I don't think I did. I explained why I decided not to participate anymore. She indeed has every right to run that group the way she wants it. I just don't want to be a part of it anymore.
After that I went on to talk about politics, but this didn't have anything to do with 29 faces anymore. It was a general rant about things I have noticed on social media, and the fact that I won't let anyone silence me. So when you say leave the group and move on that's exactly what I did. I'm not responsible for people reacting so strongly to what I wrote. Saying that I'm getting a bunch of people to attack her is a bit unfair to say the least.
I wish we could've had an open and honest discussion about this in the group. It could have cleared the air. But Martha chose not to do that, and that is her right. I chose not to be a part of it anymore and let my blogreaders know why, and that is my right.
Case closed.
Oh Denise, I am surprised to read this. I don’t find anything offensive in your work and whether it is read in the context of what is going on in the US or not, the words are powerful and the work is beautiful. I understand that if she (the host) doesn't feel comfortable she does have a right to delete posts as it is her group but it’s unfortunate. You have always used text with your art and your quotes are often very moving and inspiring. Keep doing what you do. Some will not like it and some will love it. Like everything in life. I love it. ;) ❤
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm new here and I love your art. Wow, you have emotion and talent and just really, wow. You're a strong cookie too, good on you.
ReplyDeleteCheers and boogie boogie.
Love your faces. Sorry you were censored. Not only did Trump sign that order you mention but he had the gall to say in his Congressional speech that he was going to push for clean air and water! Liar!
ReplyDeleteI came over from a friend's blog Pink House Studio (Robin Walsh) where she shared your story. I had a feeling this was the cause. It's a very sad time here in the U.S.