Today's drawing is a lesson in cultural sensitivity. I mentioned previously that I drew a series of drawings based on mythological deities. This is not quite accurate. This is one such drawing based on Guanyin, a Buddhist bodhisattva who is associated with the concept of mercy. Is any of that information reflected in this drawing? No. Would I, as an adult, draw from active religions again for inspiration? No, I would not. I would say, having led a pretty sheltered childhood, that I didn't have a huge grasp on why someone might take offense to having their deities lumped in with people like Zeus and King Arthur.
Learning about other cultures is the best. Finding ways to incorporate them into your art is cool. But one has to learn the line between appropriate and inappropriate, and when admiration ends and appropriation begins. The best advice I have is when you are in the wrong don't just dig your heels in. Admit you fucked up, learn the lesson, and move on from there.
Regardless of the past, I decided to redraw the newly renamed Mingzhu as a regular person. Also: sportswear! I decided that this person, having shed her elevated past, is now just a regular young Chinese woman. I depicted her here after a brisk run in the park on a cool spring morning.
Art lesson: Why is she not wearing sneakers? That makes no sense! Well it does if you know how much I dislike sneakers, both drawing and wearing them. Unpopular opinion time: I think they're all ugly.
Mingzhu's art trading card can be purchased in my shop.
Mingzhu's art trading card can be purchased in my shop.