Follow You Passion

This  mixed media layout was an experiment with tissue paper, transparent acrylic glaze by Silks by Colour Arte, texture paste by Farber-Castell, Golden Matte Regular Gel, Farber-Castell Pitt Pens, Zig Wink of Stella glitter pens, Gelly Roll White pen for highlights, stencils from my stash, and images of African American Ballerinas Ashley Murphy, Misty Copeland and two other ballerinas I found on the internet. I wanted to convey images of black women who were following their passions.

The tag, holds another quote from a stamp that I do not have but was inspired to use the text: 

The three ballerinas (left to right) are Ashley Murphy, with the Washington Ballet Theater, Misty Daniella Copeland, Principal with American Ballet Theater, and Michaela DePrince.

Spirit led me to select these women for my Art Journal Page, and now that I've learned about each of them, I am glad I did.They are excellent subjects for my layout about Following Your Passion. Surely each of these women follow their passion everyday as practice and performance is an integral part of their lives.

 

Michaela DePrince

Michaela is a Sierra Leonean orphan from the war in her native country who was adopted by American parents. A war survivor with vitaligo, she has had to overcome a lot of stigmatization, culture, loss of parents and sheer survival. You can read more about her story on her website. Since my daughter is also a Sierra Leonean, Michaela's story touched me as I learned about how her passion helped her to survive great odds, unbelievable adversity, and became a light to success as a ballerina, published author at the young age of twenty two. All of this juxtaposition to my daughter who has never been to Sierra Leone, I realize how incredibly blessed she is to be an American. However, when I look at the sheer talent and determination of Michaela I realize that it's not where you come from, but what you make out of yourself. I admire this young lady and was drawn to her image and so I included it on my art journal.

 

Misty Daniella Copeland

I love the fact that Misty Copeland is the first African American Principal of the American Ballet Theater. She's a trailblazer, a role model, an inspiration to me, young girls and women everywhere. She is a published author, and has a Barbie Doll in her name by Mattel, which I plan to get my hands on one. Misty is following her passion, as I read that she is in the studio dancing 8 hours a day 6 days a week. Truly a labor of love. She talks candidly about her aches and pains, as a dancer, but she has become strong by willing herself through it, and recognizes this as a strength. I so admire her for this, you can learn more about Misty on her website.

 

Ashley Murphy

Formerly a dancer with the Dance Theater of Harlem, Ashley is now with the Washington Ballet Theater. Originally from Shreveport, LA, Ashley's pose was so striking, I had to include her in my layout. You can learn more about Ashley on the Washington Ballet Theater website.