The term “goddess” brings to mind several images, but for me the most important one is that of a woman with strength and power.  As a woman at the turn of this century, I find if important to connect to this attribute of womanhood.  This appears to be a shared experience, as bookstores have evidenced a proliferation of books about goddesses, spirituality and strong women.

     I use the goddess imagery and language because the word “feminist” has at this point become a word with negative associations, and many women of today will not associate themselves with the term.  The term “goddess” does not appear to have this association.  While embracing the idea of goddesses may seem unusual for an artist coming from a Jewish background, my intent is to use this term in a way which reflects the “shehinah” (the female aspect of God), recognized in the Jewish liturgy, as well as the goddesses and prophetesses of other religions and poses from the practice of yoga.

     Until a proper name is identified that can celebrate the women of today for their strength, spirituality, empathy, wholeness and equality, I will choose to be a painter of goddesses...and a feminist.
                                   Judybeth Greene, 2002