“Virago” Oil on Canvas 11″ x 14″

The original Latin meaning of “Virago” was “female warrior.” However, in later centuries the meaning shifted toward the negative and was used to describe a “loud, overbearing woman.”

It no longer comes as a shock that a term for women which was once empowering has morphed into something pejorative. Some typical examples like “bitch” and “hussy” come to mind. These terms reinforce traditional stereotypes, consciously or not, by attempting to shame women with labels that counter normative expectations of what it means to be a woman. But that’s exactly what makes this an even more fitting name for this painting.

Virago is taking back the narrative and not letting anything or anyone keep her from revelling in her spirit. Her tattoo represents the impact that words leave behind and yet, she wears the markings like a royal sash. She refuses to let her pain taint her heart and instead bears it proudly for the world to see.

For this piece, I used black-and-white oil paint on a stretched canvas that measures 11 x 14in and comes ready to hang.

For more paintings like this, check out “Laconica” and “Lumota.”