February 14, 2021 by Daniela Sebastian
When I think of the word portrait, I imagine a simple picture of someone smiling into the camera. While there is nothing wrong with this, I think that women are portrayed in this way too frequently, oversimplifying their wonderful complexities and selling them short. So often in our world, women are only appreciated for their outward appearance when there is much more depth below the surface, begging to be seen.
In this series, I have taken portraits of women that go beyond their surface, and showcase their skills and passions, rather than just their appearance. A picture of a woman smiling is no doubt a beautiful thing, but not a match for the beauty that shines through a picture of a woman smiling because she’s doing what she loves.
Maxine Meckfessel
“I started woodworking in high school, just messing around with my dad’s tools. What began as an easy way to spend time with my dad quickly became my favorite hobby, and something incredibly therapeutic. I really hope more girls learn the art of using power tools and building their own tables and what not. It is incredibly empowering to know that you can use your own two hands and a selection of drills and saws to make whatever your heart desires. If anything, it’s nice to be judged on the basis of what I can build, as opposed to what I may look like. When it comes to carpentry, safety comes first and appearance maybe third or fourth. You can be a badass woodworking princess, you just can’t prioritize being a princess overdoing a good job.”
Sophie Heimerdinger
“Having a strong relationship with nature has always been really important to me. Being able to connect with the earth in a tactful way through gardening has been a large factor in my overall wellbeing, as well as sustaining my interest in environmental protection. I got involved at Cal Poly’s arboretum for this reason, and the work I do there has proven to be mutually beneficial for both myself and the landscape. It gives me a strong sense of mental clarity and calmness to work with the plants, which has really impacted me day to day. It’s also empowering to be able to take on more difficult tasks as well, and have the strength and capability to get things done independently. I love having the freedom to stray away from presenting myself as a composed, feminine woman, and be in a setting where it is acceptable to wear baggy clothes and be covered head to toe in dirt.”
Cristina Golubovich
“I first began experimenting with photography when I was eight or so. My dad had a really nice Canon that I would take around our yard and snap pictures of anything that caught my eye. Initially, I didn’t realize the impact that photography would have on my life, but now, having grown up with it, it’s become so much of who I am and how I express myself. I have always admired and been inspired by famous photographers, namely Annie Leibovitz, but have noticed a lack of gender diversity among the greats. As my progression with the craft has continued, I feel it’s part of my duty as a female photographer to explore the ways in which I can empower other women to express themselves through their art. Whether it’s a portrait series on self-love or a social commentary on the divine feminine, exploring myself and my identity is one of the most powerful and beautiful things photography has to offer.”
Skye Addicks
“I’ve spent my entire life pursuing projects and creativity. For as long as I can remember, I was painting, drawing, making jewelry, building fairy houses and playing music. Eventually I discovered clothing as a new artistic medium. All my hand-me-downs and curtains became projects that I’d cut, sew, and recreate to fit a vision. While the past year has been everything but ordinary, it’s given me unexpected time to pursue this passion. For this, I feel so lucky. In September, I created SkyMerRay, a brand of original, sustainable, handmade designs. I’m beyond grateful for the support from the Cal Poly community and beyond, and each day on this journey is an adventure. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and I encourage everyone to take a leap of faith in pursuing your passions because if you truly love what you’re doing, other people will too, and you hold the potential to create something wonderful!”
Aurora Ferlinghetti
“I grew up in a small town that had primarily boys. Having an older brother led me to hang out with them and do the things they did. There were some girls, but I was more interested in the ‘boy hobbies’ such as surfing, skateboarding, and fishing. I wanted to prove to the boys that a girl could be good or even better at skateboarding, so I convinced my best friend to get a skateboard with me, and we started to practice every day. I have been skateboarding off and on for about five years now, but it wasn't until two years ago that I became passionate about it. When I first started there weren't many girls I knew that liked to skateboard, so it was discouraging at times, but now I see many girls learning, and it has been very inspiring. Skateboarding is such a relieving thing to do when I have a lot on my mind. The feeling of getting that new trick or a clean turn makes me feel so good. Everything I am stressed about at that moment vanishes.”
Ariella Cohen
“I have always been someone who loves working with my hands, beginning when I was just a kid and would paint and draw with my mom, who is also very creative. I learned to knit from my granny many years ago, and rediscovered it in high school. Then I got into crocheting and have been obsessed ever since. I love fashion, and having the ability to make the clothing exactly how I imagine is so rewarding. Crocheting has also become a form of meditation for me because of how calming it is. I find that it’s a great way to be productive while having a break from my phone, which I think we all need. One of the best feelings in the world is being able to wear clothing that you made yourself, not only because you feel accomplished, but because it’s sustainable fashion that is great for the environment!”
Abby Cogen
“Jewelry is an accessory that brings a unique pizzazz to any style, and I fell in love with using wire because of the endless possibilities it holds. With the ability to contour it in any way, I have found wire is an outlet that I can manifest my femininity, edgy-ness, minimalism, boldness, or anything my heart desires. Art is a truly healing and relaxing process, so having such a plentiful outlet to be able to put my art out in the world has fostered a lot more imagination in me. My identity as an artist, small business owner, and woman has taught me endless lessons of growth and confidence which I will cherish forever! I encourage everyone to pick up some type of tool, whether it be wire, a pencil, or a pair of dancing shoes, and go create something beautiful (or funky, silly, random) using your mind, body and soul!”
Mia Habib
“I got into makeup a little in 7th grade when my mom bought me my first mascara and eyeshadow. Shortly after that she gave me a BUNCH of makeup she had but never used, and that’s when I started to experiment. Around sophomore year of high school is when I started actually playing around with trying new things because the Instagram explore page became a thing and started showing me 10-second tutorial videos. From that point on I actually became invested in different products and tricks and things like that. Now I have a lot of fun doing makeup for festivals and things like that, not only for myself but for my friends as well. I find it incredibly fascinating the way a few colors and brushes can completely change the way you and others are seeing you! Now that I’m confident in my abilities to play around with super vibrant colors and more difficult things, I think it’s a fun and easy way to express myself and be creative, even if I don’t leave my house with it on.”