A feminine viewpoint throughout art history has had a small lens.  It was not that woman didn’t do fine art but their main function was as objects for paintings or their work considered too feminine to have substance or meaning. During the 50’s and 60’s the art movement of Abstract Expressionist became even more of a boys club.  This weeks’ artist is Elaine de Kooning who had to deal with this bias with a double lens of being female and married to an artist.

Elaine was an Abstract and Figurative Expressionist. Even though, she was the only female member of the Eight Street Club in New York City, an artistic think tank with some of the heavy hitter of the Expressions movement, her work was looked over.  A perfect example of this overly male point of view was her first show. It  was curated for married artists to show their artwork together; however, it was called Artists: Man and Wife.  Which she later commented:   “It seemed like a good idea at the time, but later I came to think that it was a bit of a put-down of the women. There was something about the show that attached women-wives- to the real artists”.

For that reason, Elaine chose to sign her artworks with her initials rather than her full name, to avoid her paintings’ being labeled as feminine in a traditionally masculine movement and not to be confused with her husband’s paintings. When you look at her body of work most of her portraits and abstracts are of men or bulls and are done with broad strokes.  As if she is saying you want to see through the lens of a powerful woman – here you go.

P.S. Please share.  Also, I have put up another quote to download for your vision board.  Enjoy.

 

Aries – Page of Swords

The Page of Swords means you need to do some investigative work this week.  Everything is not as it seems. There is an underlining dialogue or situation that needs to be uncovered.

 

Taurus – King of Swords

The last two weeks have been deep with the Star and Hermit challenging you to heal and take solace in solitude.  You need that for this week because the King of Sword is the strategist of the deck.  This card advises you to take this week to do some long-term, like until 2020, planning.

 

Gemini – Eight of Swords

The past two weeks you have been running with some big energies with the Emperor pushing completion of tasks and Temperance challenging you to add attunement to the mix.  That energy continues this week with the slight shift of the eight of swords warning you not to blame outside sources for the stagnation.  This card challenges you to see the chains that bind you are in your hands.

 

Cancer – Three of Pentacles

The Three of Pentacles challenges you to ask for help when you need it.  Three heads are better than one this week. Collaboration is the key.

 

Leo – King of Rods

The King of Rods is the master of materializing.  So your challenge is making sure what you are focusing your energy on is what you want.  This week needs your passion to be like a laser.

 

Virgo – Four of Wands

The Four of Wands wants you to enjoy being comfy.  Take time this week to cuddle up with a good book/movie or if you have the energy tidy up then relax.  You and your house need to re-bond.

 

Libra – Queen of Pentacles

Last week The World card wanted you to try out some new opportunities and that continues this week with the Queen of Pentacles.  Think of these opportunities as seeds planted in a garden.  You will need to do a bit of weeding out some projects and water others.  Your challenge has change a bit from last week, this week you will need to pick your seedlings more wisely.

 

Scorpio – Ten of Pentacles

Last week the Empress challenged you to figure out how to nurture what was a hand or what will be in 10 months.  The Ten of Pentacles continues with the Empress’s growth energy.  However, the challenge has shifted from planning to taking the actual steps to insure that growth for projects in the now or in the near future.

 

Sagittarius – Two of Swords

This week is all about the journey and not the destination with the Two of Swords. Your destination is set but how you get there or your mental state while travel is your challenge this week.  Experience joy in the journey.

 

Capricorn – Ace of Swords

Interesting this is your second Ace in a row.  So let’s take a closer look at Aces.  They represent new beginnings.  Last week your focus was on actualizing physical change.  This week the focus is on a seeing and communicating in a new way.   You all are in the midst of creating new paradigms.  Enjoy creating.

 

Aquarius – Eight of Wands

The Eight of Wands represents messages to and from the Universe.  The challenge with this card is taking them seriously. If you want something from the Universe ask for it but be very detailed and precise about what you ask for.  If you don’t know what to ask for, just asks the universe for hints and the answers will come through by acts of synchronicity.  Keep your ears and eyes open for clues.

 

Pisces – Five of Swords

The Five of Swords’ lesson is about learning from your mistake.  This week your challenge is not to drive around the potholes but to fix them.

 

 

 

May light be on you, around you, and within you,

Nina