"Blue Valentine”, is an idea
that came to the artist, while receiving feedback from a previous show. Growing
up and life experiences had made her take into account how fragile our hearts
really are. Using black and blues, it expresses the melancholy that comes with
the term valentine, and how a date can lead to bringing out a sadness that some
may not feel comfortable sharing. The title, based on the color used, is also
plays homage to the film “Blue Valentine” (2010), a film that chronicles the
ups and downs of a young couple’s relationship.
This past weekend, I participated in an art exhibition. Of course I brought my hearts with me, and the questions of why came up. So to clarify here is how it started.
According my mother, I was born with a innocent heart murmur. I don’t really understand what that means, but she always told me to be careful with it. Growing up and life experiences had made me take into account how fragile our hearts really are. Our hearts can be affected physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Have you ever felt heartbreak? Heartburn? The way it shoots through your whole body and it drains a piece of your soul (i know mad dramatic).
It was that, where i just decided to look at pics of the human heart and just started drawing it. My first real time getting it done was with “Murmur”, a piece you can see in earlier posts. And then I wanted to learn about block printing and on a random trip to Michaels I bought a kit and now here we are.
So if you’re wondering what’s the deal with the hearts? It’s my way of sharing me with you all. Cause with all I’ve experienced, my heart is keeps me going and it’s what I got left.
We give so much of ourselves away, to be left with this void in our hearts. Each line is a path we could of taken, if only we listened to the signs that were there. We allow ourselves to get intoxicated with the lives of others that we forget that we have to go on our own journeys. I know this cause I'm guilty of it. So many nights where I catch myself engulfed in endless news feeds of people showing off their lives. A picture can make everything seem perfect, but how many of us have this darkness in our hearts? That darkness that reminds us that we are still only human. That we keep giving and giving and to what end?
Everyday I get off the train and walk to my job, I pass by the same group of men, and without fail they always have something to say.
I grew up accustomed to this. With having to walk passed grown men saying things to me. I would always be told ignore them, they drunk it’s what they do. And all I could think was how is this ok?
I use to dress like a boy cause I was a tomboy. Then I wore a tank top and the comments began. I couldn’t be comfortable anymore. I had to dress to avoid the words. No shorts or skirts. I didn’t wanna hear what these men had to say.
I grew up surrounded by boys. The same boys who taught me to fight and defend myself and in the end I think they knew those skills would be used against one of them.
And they was right. The safety of being alone with someone I thought as a friend disappeared in a matter of seconds. I couldn’t even say anything, because I was made to believe it twas my fault. And worse for fighting back. I haven’t been able to speak about this for years. Cause once I told someone I was blamed. And he walks free.
I grew up watching my guy friends degrade and mistreat their girlfriends, yet tell me what they would do to a guy who does that to me. I never understood that hypocrisy.
I met a guy recently and he called me stupid without reason. He sent me a pic of himself. I’ll know what his penis will look like before his smile.
I say Me Too and wish I didn’t have to. I wish I didn’t have a story to share but sadly I have more than one. This harassment, this violence, it’s not ok. But we live in a world where it is.
Saturday night was another big night for me, as I presented 2 pieces at the Planet X: All Female Lifestyle Art Show. This being my 2nd show I was looking forward to seeing other female artists present their work. Thank you to everyone who came thru, the love is always appreciated. Also thank you The NYC Grind, Manifesto and the Ladies of Hip Hop for putting on a dope ass event. Can't wait for the next one!!
If you have any pictures or any questions about my work feel free to email:
ObnoxiousCreativity@gmail.com.
You can also find me on instagram @b_quinn_ and snapchat as Baba_Ruski
Here are some pictures of the night:
Click here to view my snaps!!!
These are the 2 pieces I had up for the show. If interested in prices please email: ObnoxiousCreativity@gmail.com