Gutter Girlz Prompt #32

Title: Permanent Record

This is my first challenge with the Gutter Girlz.

I've recently found their blog, and felt immediately drawn to it for it's honest and "keeping it real" artwork. Lately I've felt a stirring in my heart to create art journal pages--ones with substance, raw emotion and depth. Not that I don't enjoy scrapping "cute kids" pages, but that process in itself became mindless, effortless medium to "make pretty pages" for a sake of decoration. My creative spirit was asking for more. Life's clutter was piling on my proverbial shoulders and I had to unload, and the best method of reaching a state of Zen for me, is through art and the use of symbolism.

So last year I started a "for my eyes only" album - a 12x12"format art journal album. This piece is the fourth entry that I chose to share (since the journaling/vent/rant is concealed behind the page).

What is this page about? Let me tell you a story...

Who is that pompous woman with a cigarette looking at you? She could be your family, relative, business partner, a friend with a long-shared history or the same crowd you "run with". Perhaps she's your teacher, or the in-law. Whoever she is, it's unimportant. What is, is that you can't completely sever ties with her (as much as you wish for that). You'll still run into her at so-and-so's get together or holiday party. Every encounter you have had with this woman has left you feeling emotionally drained, frustrated and irritated. Even her compliments are sarcasm-laden insults in disguise. Finally, "that" boundary has been crossed, and "those" words like dark bats have escaped her mouth, and you knew as she finished the last word that there's no going back--irreparable damage has been done. From there on, things have to change, and knowing that you can't change people, the only thing to change is your own response to her.

This page is a declaration. It is a physical and spiritual manifestation of this amputation of a bond or trust that I've shared with her in the past. It is a written statement that from now on the only "thing" we'll share is superficial chitchat --the doors to my trust and friendship have been closed indefinitely.

*****

For this #32 Gutter Girlz challenge the Prompt was: I'm Only Fine. The Song: It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing by Shania Twain; Product/Technique: Mesh/Gauze.

My interpretation: I printed the lyrics of the song on scrap paper as a guide while working on this piece. Then, I cut a few lines that defined the subject matter of this layout. I've used a garlic-mesh bag as gauze to tie the wounded bird's wing; I've also used punchinella to stamp gold paint around the page.
The vintage image is from the Graphics Fairy. I coated the vintage image with gel medium to give it a matte finish. I also attached some "bling": rhinestone choker, and feather on her highness hat. The black and white photo is of little me (I plan on using this photo again for a more uplifting layout, but it fit here because of the innocent look of trust in my eyes). All the visuals used are symbolic and/or metaphorical.
Thanks for taking an interest!

Irma