They are aiming at you. No Fear. No Apologies, confronting the viewer and conjuring shortcomings. They announce a fierce level of protection to country, community and family. They call the viewer to act, to think, to consider and then ultimately, to back down. Women sharpshooters were popular in the circus during the 19th and 20th centuries. They chose to live a life that was not defined by the limitations of their gender. As a member of the circus they were a bit outside of societal norms. They were not limited by society's definitions of how to behave. They were not afraid to confront any direct threat to their autonomy and to use whatever tools they had for protection to home and family.

Oil on Canvas • 2016/7 • most are framed

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