The Hag

The Hag
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plaster, paint, raffia, bone
approx. 20" x 20"

Aging is no fun.  As I deal with my distress about changing appearance, aching joints, learning to recognize myself as a senior citizen, I decided to make a mask about that.  The Hag is as ugly an old woman as I could make her: stringy hair, colorless skin, washed out features.  Yet when I finished I noticed how brightly her eyes shine and I recognize her wisdom.  She tells me there is freedom in growing older.  There is a different kind of beauty.  And there is joy.

She says:

“I am woman over 50, crone, wise woman, wild woman, mystic, cynic, psychic, sage. Invisible to most people, fearsome to some, ugly to others, I am the mother daughters fear they will become — and they will.”