Women have always been punished for the simple act of questioning and/or saying no...

In the biblical narrative, Lot’s Wife was turned into a "glistening token" of salt for the "sin" of looking back—for witnessing the destruction of her family and home rather than blindly obeying the path ahead demanded by her husband.

I began this series, Wilderness of Salt, during a traumatic period in my own life. It was a way to psychologically connect to the greater whole of womanhood—from Eve to Typhoid Mary—women who have borne the burdens of a patriarchal society and the "unhappy consequences" of their own patriarchally perceived bad decisions.

Today, as we navigate the rise of Christian Nationalism and a legal and social framework designed to return women to a state of "domestic subjection," I’m returning to her story. In a world that still turns a blind eye to systemic abuse, "disobedience" in 2026 is often just another word for refusing to ignore the truth.

Lot's Wife

oil on burlap, 16x20, 2015

Cassandra

portrait of young Virginia Giuffre

oil on burlap, 20x36, 2026

LEADING WITH ANGER

a new series launching at Ceres Gallery NYC in April 2027

Whether it be in the art world, the corporate, philanthropic or romantic/family world for that matter women are told to soften it up. If you are going to be aggressive, make it the passive variety. If you are fighting for your rights, be careful, don’t come on too strong. And across the board, never lead with anger. If I had a dollar for every time I was told not to lead with anger, I would be a rich woman. And, I have to admit, there were times were I thought, maybe, just maybe, they were right. Perhaps I was too harsh when dealing with that old sexual predator? Maybe I was harsh when that banker scolded me for my natural hair color. Maybe I should have been softer when that hotelier screamed I was a fucking bloody cunt?

Maybe all those times I led with anger were a mistake?

Or was it the rest of the world that was being too soft? Maybe if there were more of us unafraid to strike back when struck we wouldn’t have this horrible monstrosity ruling our land today? And what to do now, when any pushback can get you taken to a concentration camp? Is the time for leading angry or otherwise lost?

These are the questions I have been pondering when planning for my next solo exhibit at Ceres Gallery. One of the few remaining feminist classified galleries in NY and possibly the USA. I think my only option is to continue as normal. I know it is risky, putting it out to the universe a raging anger at repression, oppression, attack, rape and worse, death. But honesty, what other option is there when death and destruction from a patriarchal menace mentality is upon us?

Maybe more will join me? Take up the banner of Joan and fight? Or maybe I will go down alone. But to quote Emiliano Zapata “It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees”, which certainly takes on added meaning when you are a woman.

The painting Cassandra explores the devastating intersection of ancient myth and modern systemic abuse. In Greek mythology, Cassandra was gifted with the ability to see the future by the god Apollo, but when she refused his advances, he cursed her so that her prophecies would never be believed. She became the ultimate symbol of the silenced truth-teller—a woman who saw the coming ruin but was dismissed.

In this work, the mythological figure is personified by a young Virginia Giuffre. In casting Giuffre in the role of Cassandra, the piece draws a direct line from the divine "curse" of antiquity to the modern, calculated silencing of survivors. The "Apollo" of this era is not a single deity, but a global syndicate of power—presidents, royalty, CEOs, and academics—who used their status to facilitate and conceal a vast network of sexual predators with an appetite for children.