xx 029 || Original Suminagashi

This piece is what spurred me to buy a total of three suminagashi pieces from Liz. So much of my life was spent dwelling on the conservative teachings of those "authority figures" around me. I had miscarriage after miscarriage which caused me to think that in some way I was failing even though I had long since rejected most of the things that conservative background had brought. Then I had my son and heard men in my own family say they were proud of me for the first time. Seeing this piece brought all those feelings back and causes me to reevaluate the remaining bits of my upbringing. It reminds me that my value is not in the number of children I have nor is it in the cliche thoughts on femininity, but that my value is my unique experiences and who I have become through those experiences. It is the best lesson a piece of art can bring to the viewer. Added bonus is that the piece never has gone without a comment when people see it.