Self Portrait Artist Statement
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
-Gandhi; My life motto
I identify with my Irish and German heritage (flags on left), as well as my maiden name Blackburn, which is Scottish (small flag). I have always thought of myself as a redhead - because it was more red when I was younger, an auburn color. It has now turned to a more brownish color. My family nickname was Fred the Red. My favorite color is various shades of blue and I wear a lot of blue (clothing). I am holding a peace sign with my left hand and there is a peace dove above that because a major part of my life mission is to work toward world peace (hence the symbol at my heart). I included music notes with the dove because I love listening to birds singing. I am also singing in the picture, because I have a broad musical background and love for the arts, which is also related to my doctoral research. There are mountains in the background because I love them, and I included flowers because they bring me joy. The mountains also represent my home state of Pennsylvania. The sun is smiling because sunshine makes me happy. The cat at the bottom symbolizes my love for cats and all the cats I have had as pets/family members so far. The red figures at the bottom are my immediate family members, whom I love dearly - mother, father, brother, and husband. I am able to do what I do in life because of their support - I am standing on their shoulders. The pink figures to the sides represent my teachers, mentors, extended family members, and friends, whom I also love and who have contributed to my life and who I am today. I am shaking hands with “diverse people” on the right, because I try to love, respect, and understand people from all backgrounds. The American flag is backward because I feel my country is going backward in so many ways. It is also black and white, because of the long standing, unresolved racial issues in America. I am currently not proud to call myself an American. The images at the top are my heroes/role models: Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Dalai Lama. I am looking up to them, as I hope to change the world significantly for the better, as they have.
