When I joined the Army, I had no idea how long I would stay in. The idea of the three years I committed to seemed daunting. My rocky start did not help.
Now that I am staring down the barrel of 20 years, I am starting to reflect on who I am, how I have changed and what I want. This piece is all about how I want to be seen, verses the labels and embellishments that my uniform poses. This image shows me as two different people - a persona for work and home.
In 2023, I started a new job. I have never felt more me when I am at work; my two personas are finally being united. It is like the position was made for me.
I have depth, detail, colour and value. I am proud to serve and wear the uniform. However, my value proposition to the world is greater than anything that can be pinned on my chest. I am a wife, mother and student.
I hope this image will let people see past the uniform and value women who serve. Women dance the fine line of career, motherhood and relationships. I listen to my friends and fear my generation of women will disappear into the expectations of society and we will loose our identities by what they expect us to be - everything.
On the eve of International Women's Day 2023, I want every woman to know they do not have to do everything. They only need to know, they can be anything.
I also want to celebrate the IWD 2023 theme - “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” This drawing is produced on an iPad in Procreate and printed on canvas. Self taught to digital draw and produce this blog all thanks to technology access - #YouTube and Torrens University.
This drawing will be displayed in the Defending the Arts exhibit at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 01-10 March 2023 at Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide and in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland in 2023.
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