I participated in an exhibition at Hera Gallery with four other Artist Members from March 7-April 11, 2026. The exhibition title was Resilience // Perseverance. Included in the show were the first six paintings from my "Faces of Survival: Goddesses and Warriors in Our Midst" series.
Following is the text of the presentation. You may also watch the video here.
Once upon a time, humans inhabited a world in which women were revered as sacred beings, because we bring forth life and we nurture and protect it. But then something happened to disrupt the balance and equality that existed.
These paintings are my offering to that original world… to help us remember.
I am offering a vision in which women take back our power by:
I am offering a vision of women that defies our conditioning and socialization, and teaches us that we don’t have to squeeze ourselves into that mold.
I am offering a vision in which we are NOT divided based on how we look, the color of our skin, where we come from and the language we speak, how we worship, how much money we have, and whether we conform to gender norms.
I am offering these stories to help you imagine walking in someone else’s shoes, in a country where diversity is not a dirty word and compassion is a moral obligation.
I am offering these paintings to help all women feel empowered and to feel like our voices are being heard.
I am offering these paintings to tell the stories of Resilience and Perseverance.
These mothers’ lives were thrown into chaos by circumstances beyond their control.
These mothers ran towards the danger.
These mothers carry swords and spears to symbolize the battles they waged, battles against their own self-doubt, battles against the naysayers, and battles against the system that tried to hold them down.
These mothers slayed the dragons of:
These mothers were AFRAID, but they didn’t let their fears, and their tears, stop them from doing what they had to do to survive.
These mothers wear armor of precious metals, so that you can see your own reflection in them.
These mothers are survivors.
These mothers are warriors.
These mothers are goddesses.
These children are not victims of those circumstances.
These children are mighty:
These children are not passive participants, they are actively engaged in the fight for survival.
These children lift up their mothers.
These children will lift up the world.
These children will fix the mess WE leave behind for them.
These children are survivors.
These children are warriors.
These children are goddesses.
These Madonna and Child paintings are not idealized, angelic depictions of every man’s fantasy woman - they are real women and children who could be:
These Madonna and Child paintings are a mirror, to help you see yourself and feel a sense of pride in what you TOO have survived.
My name is Joanne and I am a mother and a grandmother, and I have overcome many challenges in my life. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that:
I am a survivor.
I am a warrior.
I am a goddess.
All women are goddesses.
I invite you to recognize the warrior and goddess in yourself and in those who you love.
This is not the end. Because WE are resilient and WE persevere.
Following is the text of the presentation. You may also watch the video here.
Once upon a time, humans inhabited a world in which women were revered as sacred beings, because we bring forth life and we nurture and protect it. But then something happened to disrupt the balance and equality that existed.
These paintings are my offering to that original world… to help us remember.
I am offering a vision in which women take back our power by:
- Standing tall with confidence and conviction
- Being treated equitably in all ways… from wages to voting
- Thriving, despite our trials and tribulations
- Making our own choices, and
- Demanding safety, especially in our homes and schools.
I am offering a vision of women that defies our conditioning and socialization, and teaches us that we don’t have to squeeze ourselves into that mold.
I am offering a vision in which we are NOT divided based on how we look, the color of our skin, where we come from and the language we speak, how we worship, how much money we have, and whether we conform to gender norms.
I am offering these stories to help you imagine walking in someone else’s shoes, in a country where diversity is not a dirty word and compassion is a moral obligation.
I am offering these paintings to help all women feel empowered and to feel like our voices are being heard.
I am offering these paintings to tell the stories of Resilience and Perseverance.
These mothers’ lives were thrown into chaos by circumstances beyond their control.
These mothers ran towards the danger.
These mothers carry swords and spears to symbolize the battles they waged, battles against their own self-doubt, battles against the naysayers, and battles against the system that tried to hold them down.
These mothers slayed the dragons of:
- A debilitating head and neck injury
- Having no place to live with her babies… twice
- Domestic abuse, addiction, separation, and foster care
- Breast cancer
- A life-threatening illness
- Abandonment, a dangerous journey, and a perilous immigration system.
These mothers were AFRAID, but they didn’t let their fears, and their tears, stop them from doing what they had to do to survive.
These mothers wear armor of precious metals, so that you can see your own reflection in them.
These mothers are survivors.
These mothers are warriors.
These mothers are goddesses.
These children are not victims of those circumstances.
These children are mighty:
- For their great ability to adapt and change and heal
- They are brave for growing up in a world in which active shooter drills are even a thing
- And they are bold, by not being afraid to look you in the eye
- And not being afraid to tell it like it is.
These children are not passive participants, they are actively engaged in the fight for survival.
These children lift up their mothers.
These children will lift up the world.
These children will fix the mess WE leave behind for them.
These children are survivors.
These children are warriors.
These children are goddesses.
These Madonna and Child paintings are not idealized, angelic depictions of every man’s fantasy woman - they are real women and children who could be:
- Your mother or grandmother
- Your daughter or granddaughter
- Your sister
- Your wife or partner
- Or your most beloved friend.
These Madonna and Child paintings are a mirror, to help you see yourself and feel a sense of pride in what you TOO have survived.
My name is Joanne and I am a mother and a grandmother, and I have overcome many challenges in my life. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that:
I am a survivor.
I am a warrior.
I am a goddess.
All women are goddesses.
I invite you to recognize the warrior and goddess in yourself and in those who you love.
This is not the end. Because WE are resilient and WE persevere.