Is your time free?

I illustrate women to represent a more diverse group of women. I worked in fashion and I found that a lot of the women in the supply chain are suppressed. I want to spread the word that every woman should be represented, not just those who get attention from the media. That those not heard are struggling as well.

The perspective may not be coherent and it will be complex, but that is the reality. It will frustrate and confuse you to read but that is the truth I experience. There will be no timeline just thoughts bouncing from one to another, because we juggle situations like this daily.

You will despise me, maybe admire my intentions, pity me or be so bored, but that is not something that will deter me. What is key here is, is that I have the capability to be a voice for people who can’t.

I draw women, I draw lots of women. We are far more complex than people give us credit for. We have always been 2-10 steps behind in the race. What race I am not sure. What I know is that it takes a lot of courage and strength for a woman to do something, anything. Even now when you say everything is accessible we are still behind. We are playing catch up.

Through my art and crafts, I try to support vulnerable women in Thailand. The women in the hill tribes who do not receive the benefits other people do. Only because they are not considered Thai, they are not issued an ID card.

The women who were/are trafficked and sold into the sex industry. The reason for many visitors here, even though it is “illegal”. Do you ever wonder why it remains “illegal”, even though it is so accessible? Think about who benefits and who doesn’t. It’s too nuance a topic to go into details here.

I support the refugees, the women who left another country to come here. The ones who have burdens and other humans to look after. The people who have no way of finding a job nor any means of escaping without support.

These are the people we are fighting for when we celebrate International Women’s Day. The women who barely have the rights you and I have. They can’t stroll around, grab a brunch and or even freely look for jobs. These women have to find loopholes, work around the system that does not support them.

Please note, that what I do is so little compared to so many other businesses. Rubynnastory is tiny, a little screw in the big machine working towards supporting women and the vulnerable. Whenever Rubynnastory makes a profit, a percentage does go to those organisations doing the good work. Other than money, I try to outsource some aspects of the craft making to people who can’t just walk out and get a job.

All this to say that there is a bigger fight here. That when we celebrate this month, we have to think beyond ourselves. That we have to realise our privileges. I am in no means diminishing your struggles. You may face underlying misogyny, you may even have to go around the system sometimes. The point is you have choices, you can choose to be here or leave. You can choose to fight back. Your right is important. The most important word is that you can. There is a possibility for growth or a way out.

So do your thing and do it with pride. Do it without whining, you are not a tree attached to any situation. Lift your roots and move to a different spot. Remember that when you succeed, we as a collective, succeed. We are rooting for you. At least I am genuinely rooting for you.

Nonetheless, I won’t volunteer my time to you for free. I will however, volunteer my time for the women who can’t. Who may have no choices and might be stuck with their roots trapped under heavier roots. Who most probably can’t do anything about their situation. I will volunteer there and I do so anyway.

I am an artist, that does not mean that my time and skill matters less than the external sponsorship you receive. If I share my skill with you, I deserve to be celebrated, my efforts and brand deserves to be shared.

My paintings raise awareness. My brand work towards a goal. A goal to raise awareness for those who can’t fight for themselves. A goal to support the businesses working to support the vulnerable women.

The point being my business is as important as yours. It might be on the creative side, but it has goals and impacts other people’s lives. For you to ask me to volunteer my skill without anything in return is frankly, insulting. It is not about women supporting women, it is far from it. Your time is not more important than mine. It is far more fruitful to celebrate each other than to do whatever this is, in the name of volunteering.

Happy International Women’s Month, I hope someone celebrate your efforts, because you deserve it. Know your worth, you might ruffle some feathers along the way, but do what you have to. You are worth it, your cause is worth. When you succeed, we all do.

Going away for holidays, leaving you slightly uncomfortable and feathers ruffled I hope!