Research for a New Print

This past weekend I started working on my print for Baren Exchange #26. I often begin a piece with a title, and the title I've had with me since I signed up for the exchange is "Everyone Everywhere Loves the Same Moon."



I imagined that the print would be an anti-war piece, so I began by researching, looking at photos of Iraq and Afghanistan on the internet.



As I looked at photos, I found myself less drawn to photos of war and more attracted to photos of Muslim women and children. As an American woman with feminist tendencies I find the life of a traditional Islamic woman difficult to imagine, so I began to really explore this theme.



I also looked at images from the great Islamic civilizations of Mesopotamia and Persia, civilizations that greatly influenced ours.



All of which led me directly into the volatile and difficult topic of religion.



Now what?? Time to make some sketches and see what happens as all these thoughts and images roll around inside me.