She’s Not the Muse—She’s the Artist
Film Review: Who Does She Think She Is? A documentary by Pamela Tanner Boll
Ready, Set, Write! A Writing Workshop for Women
You have ideas, but doubt, perfectionism, or just life has been in the way. You aren’t alone! Join me for a no-pressure workshop for women ready to connect with their creative spark. You’ll end up with a beginning, clear next steps, and momentum to keep going.
5:30-7:30 pm May 12 Keller Street CoWork, Petaluma $85
One of my favorite documentaries about women artists: Who Does She Think She Is?, by Academy Award winning filmmaker Pamela Tanner Boll, features five creative women who have decided not to choose between being an artist and the demands of being a woman. About ten years ago, I presented this film at our local art center with a panel of women artists speaking afterwards about their experiences, and it still feels as relevant as ever.
Following along with the lives of these artists, we navigate some of the thorniest crossroads of our time—where mothering meets creativity, partnering collides with independence, and art struggles to coexist with economics.
The film urges us to reflect on the long arc from ancient reverence for women as cultural muses to a present where most people struggle to name even a few female artists. Ultimately, the women featured reveal that creativity and caregiving shouldn’t be opposing forces—because they’re intertwined. In fact, their connection could be exactly what’s needed to move their work forward.
I was an art student at BYU in the early nineties and went to college with one of the women in the film, Janis, and I remember her being a grounded force even then, newly married without children yet, but absolutely planning to have them and still be an artist.
The choices women make about their families and their personal life are part of who they are and inform their art, just as men’s life experiences inform their art. It’s important, now more than ever, to support art that also supports women’s choices, whatever they may be, to have a thriving society.
Streaming on Tubi, Youtube and more—or host a public screening in your town!
“Terrific, engaging and moving documentary about the ongoing conundrum of women in the arts today.”
—Film Journal International
Ready, Set, Write! A Writing Workshop for Women
You have ideas, but doubt, perfectionism, or just life has been in the way. You aren’t alone! Join me for a no-pressure workshop for women ready to connect with their creative spark. You’ll end up with a beginning, clear next steps, and momentum to keep going.
5:30-7:30 pm May 12 Keller Street CoWork, Petaluma $85
