Women - Men

I recently saw an exhibit at the Invisible Dog Art Center about birth selection, which is the practice of aborting baby girls in preference for males. Birth selection has led to a lack of women in countries where it is practiced. Without enough women, a population will wane.


Prune Noury, a visual artist, created an extensive installation about birth selection. I found her visual imagery as disturbing as the subject matter.


I created this piece with Noury's exhibit in mind.


Women and men need each other. There's a balance that takes place in any mixed-gender group, which I consider essential and necessary, especially in a work environment or a classroom.

Peter Pan

While I feel this requires no explanation, I will admit that I recently went on a date with someone 10 years younger than me. In the past, I would never have entertained this idea, but he was polite and straightforward, and enthusiastic, qualities I like, which are often lacking in men in a more appropriate age bracket. While sparks didn't fly, (I just couldn't get over the experiential difference as a result of our age gap) I enjoyed talking to him.


I made this piece to remind myself of a few things: sometimes men who are "perfect" on paper (live in a convenient and desirable location, have a similar education level, are an appropriate age, personable, funny and smart), are not mature when it comes to their relationships with women. In the past I had a hard time accepting this. I simply couldn't believe that any adult could willingly refuse to accept adult responsibilities, particularly in a romantic context. If you had a choice to nurture a loving relationship with someone you clearly liked, why wouldn't you pursue it?


Now, after having lived through some romantic disappointments, I am well aware that we don't know anyone until we're actually involved with them. Often, our fantasies don't pan out as "planned." Best to not "plan" anything and keep an open mind.

The New York dating scene

Word on the street here in Brooklyn is that the male-female ratio in New York City favors men, creating an environment where men have the upper hand in dating relationships, and can "get away with" unkind behavior. Is this true? I don't know, but I do know that dating does not always inspire the most truthful interactions. By truthful, I mean being true to one's heart.

Women are the New Men

You're an elixir

The crowd grows

Still looking for that one special man in the crowd.

You're my main meal

"I want you to be my main meal. Not just a side dish. Not even dessert.

Many people dream of getting married. I dream about running. Will you be my one and only pair of sneakers?"

Hand stitched on antique lace (see Antique fabric and what I'm dreaming of post).

When the Shoe Doesn't Fit

I've tried on and run in many pairs of sneakers, just as I've tried out many men. I am not sure in which area I have done more research.

"When the Shoe Doesn't Fit," finished piece at right, says:
"My slow accumulation of boyfriends, like pairs of running sneakers. Some hurt and were hardly worn. I hoped some would mold, magically, to my feet. Others, I ran in blissfully. I held on as long as they held up. Now, after years of waiting for the other shoe to drop, I know to try on many pairs until I find one I won't want to take off. I know when to say no, even if it hurts. And I am learning how to slow down."

As for learning to slow down, I am picking up speed and mileage.

The drawings at left, my study for the finished piece at right, are from an embroidery class I taught at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn last spring. After my students practiced French knots (see right-hand image), which require small, tight movements, there were sighs of frustration. To loosen up, I had my students do a continuous line drawing of one of my sneakers. This exercise is like a game where you continue drawing and do not pick up your pen until I say stop. I participated, too, and later went home and added more sneakers.

To sign up for an embroidery class: Etsy at 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn:
http://www.3rdward.com/classes/spring/etsyward see Extraordinary Embroidery.
Next one is Saturday, April 11, 12noon-3pm.

Greenpoint, and the Men Who Want to Meet Me

Preliminary images and writing for two pieces, "I Don't Miss my Ex-boyfriend, but I Do Miss Greenpoint," and "The Men Who Want to Meet Me."

Journal entries from February 2008.