"From the critically acclaimed artist, designer, and author of the bestsellers The Principles of Uncertainty and My Favorite Things
comes a wondrous collection of words and paintings that is a moving
meditation on the beauty and complexity of women’s lives and roles,
revealed in the things they hold.
“What do women
hold? The home and the family. And the children and the food. The
friendships. The work. The work of the world. And the work of being
human. The memories. And the troubles. And the sorrows and the triumphs.
And the love.”
In the spring of 2021, Maira and Alex Kalman
created a small, limited-edition booklet “Women Holding Things,” which
featured select recent paintings by Maira, accompanied by her insightful
and deeply personal commentary. The booklet quickly sold out. Now, the
Kalmans have expanded that original publication into this extraordinary
visual compendium.
Women Holding Things includes the
bright, bold images featured in the booklet as well as an additional
sixty-seven new paintings highlighted by thoughtful and intimate
anecdotes, recollections, and ruminations. Most are portraits of women,
both ordinary and famous, including Virginia Woolf, Sally Hemings,
Hortense Cezanne, Gertrude Stein, as well as Kalman’s family members and
other real-life people. These women hold a range of objects, from the
mundane—balloons, a cup, a whisk, a chicken, a hat—to the
abstract—dreams and disappointments, sorrow and regret, joy and love."
I have had the above quote sitting here in an unpublished post since March. Last night as I lay in bed unable to sleep I thought about what women hold. It isn't always beautiful, like a balloon or a bouquet of flowers. Sometimes holding things is messy. I may be holding together a broken heart or being the strength for your family when things are falling apart. It isn't easy. I wanted to share beautiful pictures of women holding things, but all I could think of was the messy part of what we as women must hold.
What encouraged the thinking last night was seeing a cartoon of three men in suits and three women dressed for the office getting ready to run a race. In the tracks where the men would run it was clear sailing. Where the women were to run there were hurdles of such things as doing the laundry, cooking meals, caring for the children and much more. They took on the challenge, yes; but the way was cluttered with detours and obstacles. Yet, they persevered.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tc4SFcR2Fbz5hDB6qwj1FQNnqRoABiqwdv1-cJ15k8qEHIDfS33sxI-GhZ-hjtDtqKouvaTOF1RHUn7luccQ_meei6CpoWCWydNBBcETyxgz58mQrIibK2LkVSEE4X1OqXnuGtDw9iSjX-Ap37RxBjNb2wNkbCunGPX0NCiAFJOYxpEzXqCkyH1s0AU/w338-h450/20240822_133055.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB5_u_s7T5dSe7tIyf1t5DDa5bpogOq1UmWxCgvAU8JdUOIgJ4FYeP8ZJzxk7XaRayuz08Xzayz8ID6XBv4pvB8NIPzsIElZybGQnHSbZZbyAuQPjyCBNkD7I0UHb2htJj654e_Ugj1KFeGowRbLmAf6WqRT6JbxoOr3tyoEskGU-_A6L2OZM-Kdv4L8/w372-h496/20240822_133037.jpg)
I know, this is a lot to read; but it is to say sometimes it is hard for me to even be here at Delights of the Heart. I keep persevering, even though the hurdles are great. I get so weary. So right now I am weary, but thank you for being here to encourage me to focus on delights, joys and kindness. Looking back at my pictures of the past week the only thing I could see is flowers and one dear grandson with more cats in the city. We found 7 cats yesterday. There are sorrows and regrets, but I am going to keep on focusing on those delights.
How are you doing, dear friends? Are you holding an armful of messy? Hoping that there are a few beautiful, delightful things popping up in your week.
Sending love,
Marilyn