Josephine’s Courage

Behind the Artwork

Faith - 2018 watercolor painting in progressTold in Josephine’s own words

“My husband and I heard a man knock on the door. The door was largely open. Soldiers were emerging inside the house; we made a loud noise and asked rescue to anyone who could hear us.

“I started to cry, and my husband cried too. I could not imagine that death entered my life. I trembled like a sheet of paper. The soldiers asked us for money. My husband gave all that we had. Before they wanted to leave, the commander had already torn my clothes.

“That night, because I am a woman who is now known by several men, I lost my husband too. Many do not want to associate any more with me because I do not *smell well. I do not know how to join together a little money to request a surgical operation. I must forget and forgive my torturers and look at the future in front of me.”

* Because of the fistula—created when she was raped, Josephine’s bladder leaks like a sieve.

Faith 2018

Behind the Artwork

Faith - Part of the Courage Ablaze series, Pamela Alderman, 12 x 16 inches, Watercolor on paper, 2018Viewer Responses

Amazing process in how you work the face. The mouth being the last part of the painting. Women who had been seemingly silenced by horrific circumstances—reawakened with the restoration of their voice through accompaniment of listening hearts and ears that gift compassion and hope. Maura

I see the past pain in her eyes but hope for the future too. This is a living painting.

I’ve been watching your Congo art forms evolve. Your hand has become graceful in its touch. Insightful now. Anna

Those eyes speak volumes. Barb

Faith – Part of the Courage Ablaze series, Pamela Alderman, 12 x 16 inches, Watercolor on paper, 2018

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A New Test of Courage

Behind the Artwork

Faith (detail), Pamela Alderman, Watercolor on paper, 12x16 inches, 2018

After posting Sabina’s story and image a few months ago, my friend Laurie asked me to paint another Congolese work. But Laurie’s request posed two challenges for me. The first challenge was to paint a watercolor painting. Four years ago, I had tucked away my watercolor paints—partly in frustration with my watercolor work at the time and partly because it was time to expand my art into new areas. I worried that the painting might flop due to a lack of practice.

Secondly, I had made up my mind to retire my Congolese artwork. But with that announcement, Laurie’s challenge came. This posed another dilemma: Would I stick to my plan and keep the work retired? Or would I allow my passion for the Congolese people to be rekindled? In the end, I decided to haul out my watercolors, face my insecurities, and paint.

It was also amazing to discover that the same emotional response to painting the Congolese work back in 2012 was still active. Throughout the entire painting process, my soul bled—through my paint brush onto the canvas—for Congo’s pain. So now I wonder: Is my Congolese work finished?

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Originals and Commissioned Art

Behind the Artwork

Cityscape No. 2, Pamela Alderman, Mixed media, 96 x 48 x 6 inches, 2018

Commissioned Art

It was an honor collaborating with Wolverine Building Group. I enjoyed working with the old historic site plans for the backdrop and the hand-painted Plexiglas shapes of their defining buildings in the foreground.

Cityscape No. 2, Pamela Alderman, Mixed media, 96 x 48 x 6 inches, 2018

Original Art

Splash - An original “hand painted” acrylic on canvas painting by Pamela Alderman

Pamela Alderman’s hand-crafted, custom artwork or original works are a unique commodity. Pamela accepts a limited amount of commission work per year. Please contact the studio to inquire about available artwork or to discuss your custom needs.

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Healing in Arts Award

General

Sustainability Champion Award from GVSU

Thank you to the Office of Sustainability Practices of Grand Valley State University for recognizing my interactive healing art with sex-trafficking. It’s a real honor as an artist and community member to receive the Sustainability Champion Award. Thank you so very much!

This award also goes to all my volunteers—my collaborators—who work so hard to serve the public through my healing art! Your candles shine brightly!

A 17 Mile Journey

Behind the Artwork

Getting trace drawing of hands in NYC

While walking seventeen miles through New York City, I invited individuals to respond to my interactive art as I stopped on sidewalks, waited in line at famous tourist attractions, or sat in Starbucks. I challenged others to live generously and be part of the solution to healing our broken world. My artwork spoke of compassion and living large hearted. But do I actually live that way myself?

Hand trace sketches from NYC

At the end of one day after challenging others on the streets of New York to help impact our broken world, I missed a valuable chance to connect with a stranger. After a woman who was drinking alone at the bar saw my husband pull out my chair at the table, she said, “Aren’t you lucky.”

We chatted for a quick moment. But I kept thinking of her as I ate my meal. When she pulled out twenty dollars to pay her tab, I had an urge to offer to pay for her drink. But I didn’t act.

I did say goodbye, though, and wished her well. This restarted another small conversation. But as I watched her leave the restaurant, I felt an emptiness—a lost opportunity. I didn’t have any more maps left to invite her to interact with my art. But this woman probably needed something deeper than an interactive art experience. This woman may have needed the artist, herself, to live out her art message.

Today I’ll look for another moment to connect. This time I hope to respond like Babette and offer the next stranger an opportunity to experience infinite grace. Then my artwork will actually have an impact across generations because the artist will have learned to live with an open hand.

Babette’s Feast is now playing at the Theatre at St. Clements located at 423 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

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