Things have been quiet on the art-creation front. Not because I lack ideas for art, as is wont to happen when I am in the grips of depression or struggling artistically, but because I have been exceptionally busy with a project that includes more than just myself.
Art for me has always been a solitary endeavour. Even in art school, with peers around to help inspire and learn, the final creations have always come solely from my own hands. So developing a project in which I will only be one of 54 creative individuals that play a part in the project’s success is daunting and thrilling at the same time.
The project is called ‘Flush Fatale,’ and the entire goal is to create a deck of playing cards depicting 54 notable women from history, illustrated by 54 present-day women. Rather than simply find artists who wished to contribute for free/exposure, Flush Fatale aims to pay each and every one of the contributors for their time and experience. Throughout history women have been paid less than men, if they were paid at all. Which is why it is so important that in illustrating women from history, we honour how far we have come and how far we have left to go before women and artists are paid for their valuable time.
In order to pay the artists, develop the deck of cards, print and ship the decks, and ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible; the project is going to be funded through Kickstarter. No different than a patron of the arts, our backers will be the support behind the project; and without them, none of the art will come to life. If the Kickstarter is not successful, none of the artists will be required to create an illustration, and the project will simply fade away as a dream that my sister and I developed over late night crème brûlée.
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. ”
Flush Fatale will not fail. We have done our upmost to bring the project to life, and soon we will share our dream and our drive with 54 other artists, who will in turn bring their fire and breath to 54 women from history. Opening my hand to offer an artistic opportunity to other women has done more to light my own passions than I ever thought possible. Together we will bring women from the past back to life. It is only a matter of time.