Don’t Mess With Her…Art for Writers
This is a self-portrait by the New Zealand artist Rita Angus. She seems to be saying, don’t even think about it…
I’ve chosen this painting because she has such a strong, commanding face and even her clothes seem to say that they are in control, don’t mess with me.
Write about her. Better still, write in her voice and once you’ve established her character give her a challenge to overcome. Or, in Stephen King’s words, throw stones at her because that’s the way we discover the person behind the defiant stare.
If you enjoyed this, there’s a pretty good chance you’d also like my writing guide Back to Creative Writing School. 100+ reviews on Amazon…just saying.
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BACK TO CREATIVE WRITING SCHOOL — 120+ reviews on Amazon and over 75% gave it five stars
A Good Confession
"Unputdownable" Miriam Stoppard
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 
So right: that is a very strong face. And a don’t mess with me kind of face.
But it makes you think…how and why did she grow such a hard shell?
Life does that to some people. I always wonder how my mother remained so generous and radiant, after the many life obstacles she survived. Maybe some people grow a hard shell to protect them, and others get kinder and wise, without hardening.
Cynthia’s comment is spot on.
The dimple in the chin was the true master power stroke for me!
Yep, that’s a truly intimidating dimple…
Reblogged this on mira prabhu and commented:
This is a self-portrait by the New Zealand artist Rita Angus. She seems to be saying, don’t even think about it…thanks for sharing this, Bridget Whelan….
Thanks for reblogging Mira
Comes up short compared to Kirk Douglas’s true intimidator in SPARTACUS (what dimple wouldn’t?) but then he never held a cigarette or wore devil’s red lipstick with quite the same meance she does.