It is not always easy to be confident to take charge of who you are and who you want to be to express your true self. Often we as artists, especially female artists, feel like imposters. 

 

Some can experience what has been termed “imposter syndrome”.  We can internalize a fear of being discovered as a fraud. We doubt our abilities. We assume everyone else knows who they are, what they are doing and that we are perhaps lucky and just along for the ride.

 

Questions I often ask myself are What am I afraid of? Who inspires me? Who is my ally and best proponent - Who are my people? My village is full of strong insightful women who inspire me, my actions, my art and quite frankly, they give me life. They create the foundation for many of my pieces -  but especially for this one - “Badass”.  

 

According to Merriam-Webster, the term badass has dual meaning. One is simply “mean”. The other is “of formidable strength or skill”.  It is this second definition that resonates with me. This collage “Badass”  represents my village. Women who are beautiful inside and out. Women who support and challenge me, encourage me and more importantly hold me accountable. Each and every one is a badass.

 

It is this community that reminds me that I belong. That I am supposed to be here and not an imposter. That I do have “formidable strength and skill”.

 

I choose strong. I choose assertive. I choose independent.

 

I choose badass.