Empowering Women through Art

As an artist I often have wondered what my role is, and what role art itself plays in the larger world.  The day after the Election 2016 I was having drinks with friends, and someone said to me that it was my RESPONSIBILITY as an artist to keep making my work. However, I don't make political art per se, so what positive impact does my work have in the world? Especially because purchasing artwork for most folks is a luxury. How does creating a "luxury item" truly a responsibility worthy of respect and an agent of positive change? 

I purchased some artwork recently - a poster of Hillary Clinton. You may or may not be a fan of Hillary, but for me she represents someone who has committed her life to a cause and no matter WHAT has been thrown at her, has PERSISTED (nevertheless!), which is something that I want to personally channel within my own life.  

When I bought the image of Hillz it didn't feel like a luxury item. It felt like something necessary. It felt like a visual talisman that I needed to strengthen qualities in myself to be an agent of positive change. 

I came to understand that some images have a power to awaken something within us. 

That's when I realized that my work did have worth beyond simple luxury. 

This is what I believe to be true: We are at a crossroads in human development where the old rules of the patriarchy no longer serve our race or our planet. The Feminine is required to take its rightful place alongside the masculine to heal and move forward for the evolution and salvation of our species and world.

The artwork that I create is to help facilitate that movement. Surrounding oneself with authentic images of the Feminine Divine and Female Power is activating to our inner heroines, to then bring out into the world to make positive changes in the name of Love, Justice and Peace. This "activating force" is the term I use for what energies does a Goddess, Heroine, or Saint have for awakening the dormant or blossoming mirror energies within ourselves.

I am creating a series of Goddesses, Female Saints, and Real World Heroines to fulfill this new focused vision. The first two of the series are the Greek Goddess Psyche (read more about her HERE) and the Christian Saint, Doctor of the Church, and Mystic Hildegard Von Bingen (read more about her HERE).

They are currently available as open edition Giclee Prints (shop HERE) and I have grand visions of other forms these women will take to help you on your journeys, as well as many other goddesses, saints and heroines to add to the series.
​xo K

P.S. Do you have a Goddess, Female Saint or Heroine who inspires you? Tell me about her in the comments!

"Psyche" 11" X 14" acrylic, gold leaf, Blue Morpho Butterfly wings copyright Karin Bolstad 2016

"Hildegard Von Bingen" 11" X 14" acrylic, gold leaf, blue sapphires, swarvovski crystals copyright Karin Bolstad 2016