She Was, An American Girl

In my own interpretation, I find myself the typical American Girl, the single parent, with the never-ending task of two people, making and bringing home the bacon. How tragic that have we have gotten so far away from the shared load of two parents, shifting the great burden on a sole provider. This new American Girl, stands proud, strong, and worn down. Endurance and hardship are her backbone. She bought the house her children grew up in and cares for every single aspect of life within it.  

On the left of the image, I am portrayed caretaker of house and family hair loosely down, barefoot in a red flowered summery dress in the front of my house with domestic cat holding it like a child, proud in nature looking forward. The image of me to right is in heals business suit and hair pulled up. Over my shoulder I carry a colorfully patterned brief case with bread in it, obvious statement of breadwinner. I am holding a shovel in my right hand representing hard labor. The hammer in my right hand is held in the motion and trajectory of my lady parts, signifying the destruction of feminism with the burdens of single parenting. The shriveled plant that looms in the background adds the idea of little growth with this burden. And the dog with the sunshine headband balances out such a gloomy concept with a bit of humor and feeling of loyalty. So much emotion in the pose and expression of the women standing in front of their house. Strength, determination, hardship, heartache, endurance and accountability to oneself. There is a unity and symbiotic feeling that sends a message to the viewer that they are unbreakable.