Monday, October 20, 2014

For fun

I made this for the ladies I go to church with. I am blessed and surprised to find such unbelievable women in our church as well as men. There is such a large gap of families our age and college students. The families that keep our church going work so hard and don't have many to invest time in them and remind them what their purpose and direction is as a contemporary man and woman. This is for the beautiful women in my life who just do it all somehow. 

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Ray

I'm continuing to explore the various definitions and characteristics of the pioneer woman. I traveled back down to Rosecreek yesterday. Unfortunately my model, Natasha, isn't available to come with me anymore because of her new job so I went by myself with my son. Ray wanted to give me a tour so I accepted his generosity and he gave me an education about the village and farm. His three young kids climbed in the cab while he drove me and my three year old around. I asked him about his family's choice to have such a raw lifestyle compared to the rest of the country. He commented on his background as a professional welder and how his presence with his family when he arrived home was rarely 100 percent after 12 hours of work. He wanted to change that so they rooted themselves on Selmer TN. Neither he or his wife come from a family of farmers so getting started was difficult not only because he didn't have the resources initially but his knowledge of self-sustaining living was so limited. The average farmer now is 65 years old so finding good physical help as well as education is so difficult. Although I was unable to talk with his wife very much, she wasn't shy to let me take her photograph. Their fridge had stopped working and she was briskly transferring frozen vegetables and other items before it all went bad on a 70 degree weather day. Although she didn't have much time to visit I was so aware of her strong presence in the home. She was 8 months pregnant and had no sign of weakness or exhaustion. When her husband asked a question, she strongly answered and directed him. There was no fear or lack of confidence in her role and she didn't stop her duties to treat or serve me. Photos coming soon. 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Proverbs 31

I'm interested in working visually connecting the idea of the pioneer woman, proverbs 31 and modernity vs pre-industry. Here are scriptures I've rearranged according to the subject and my interpretation as it relates to today's culture: 

Plan, prepare the finest and work eagerly for harder days to come: 
She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands. 
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Cook and prepare food for my family well as well as anyone who works for us:
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar. 
she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.

Always be available:
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

Use my craft to be profitable:
She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sees that her trading is profitable, 
She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Be strong and vigorous, without fear:
She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

Help others in need who ask:
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.

Create home and myself into beautiful sanctuary:
She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple. ;


Represent my husband well:
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Always be prepared and never fear difficulties that may come. My spirits must be always pleasant:
 she can laugh at the days to come.

Exude a strength, respect and speak wisely and thoughtfully:
 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity. She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Protect against others and not give into sinful desires: 
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness

Seek respect and blessing from my family: 28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her: