You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.
Steve Jobs
Tina’s topic — Creativity in the Time of Covid — for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge, coincides with the celebration of a milestone for women in America: the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, officially According to an article by Allie Clouse in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, “Kristin Luna and Scott van Velsor, journalists and founders ofΒ Do More Art events, started theΒ Walls for WomenΒ project, a statewide effort to hire and empower female artists for the centennial of women’s suffrage.” For her notable creativity, Paris Woodhull was selected as one of 10 women artists to design and paint a mural on the side of Print Shop Beer in South Knoxville celebrating the project.
In an interview by TV station WBIR, Paris said she was at first overwhelmed at the opportunity to create whatever she wanted on the designated wall saying, “Usually I only do client work.” But this talented young lady known for her cartoon-like drawings of Knoxville and vicinity, welcomed the challenge for another special reason: Her great, great, great grandmother Victoria Clafin Woodhull was the first woman to run for president back in 1872! Paris even named the mural “Victoria” after this very special woman in her ancestry.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Albert Einstein
Now, it’s one thing to create original drawings, but it’s another to paint a mural on a wall in front of a working business. But with paint cans and scaffolding, Paris scaled the walls coating them with a dark charcoal background making the artwork pop.
Caricatures of women wrap around each other as well as the windows and door of Print Shop Beer while happy images move in and around the larger-than-life forms, supporting each other as women do so well.
Smooth, clear colors and simple forms help us see the people for what they are — happy, contemplative, friendly souls moving in and around obstacles with ease. It’s a happy mural, one that speaks to the cooperation and movement of supportive women.
Knoxville is proud of Paris’s contribution to Walls for Women, and Paris may be pleased with her accomplishment as well.
After all, creativity in the time of Covid comes in many forms.
For more about Paris Woodhull, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and her website, Paris Woodhull Illustrations.
Admiring the creativity of others,
Rusha
MJ
Very interesting.
Angelilie
I really like your beautiful blog. A pleasure to come stroll on your pages. A great discovery and a very interesting blog. I will come back to visit you. Do not hesitate to visit my universe. See you soon. π
Oh, the Places We See
Thank you so much for the compliment! I’ve been working on improving it, but now I have a glitch with pictures turning sideways and upside down. Oh, well. There’s always something, right?
CompassAndCamera
Beautiful art and what a great legacy to celebrate through her mural.
Oh, the Places We See
She really did a great job on this one, and in tight quarters with lots of obstacles. I hope this isn’t her last one in Knoxville — her art makes me smile!!!
Amy
Great choice, Rusha! These walls for women paintings are not only creative, but inspiring and so very meaningful.
Thank you for sharing with us. π
Leya
Indeed something to celebrate. Interesting choice.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Leya. It seemed appropriate to showcase this creative endeavor that was also tied to a national celebration the same week. I appreciate your leadership with Lens-Artists Photo Challenges! Have a good weekend.
Leya
Thank you – to you as well!
Rupali
Very interesting cover.
kzmcb
Great story
Tina Schell
Wonderful choice Rusha and what a great idea for an artistic competition. The historic connection makes it even more special
Oh, the Places We See
Sheβs really a neat person. Iβve also gotten to know her mother and sister βall talented! This mural is a stretch for Paris because of the scale of the project and the medium. But her creativity and hard work brought beauty to Knoxville, so Iβm all for it! Thanks for inspiration!