Women´s Month: Women Who Create

Here’s to the Women Who Create, Fight, and Post on Instagram in Their Underwear
Ah, March the month of women. A time to celebrate female empowerment, acknowledge the achievements of women across all walks of life, and remember the countless female artists who have been making waves in the art world, often from the comfort of their own kitchens, bathrooms, or wherever else we can find a moment of peace between running to a gallery opening and making sure our kids aren't painting on the walls.
And yet, in this age of social media, there's one pesky question that lingers like a thick layer of paint no one bothered to wipe off their brushes: Why, oh why, is being a female artist still a challenge in 2025? Why is it that a woman’s art—regardless of how amazing it is—still has to fight tooth and nail to be taken seriously? Oh, and by the way, don’t forget the mandatory showing of skin to make that art marketable. Because, you know, marketing one's work as a woman isn't about the talent; it's about the "look."
In this post, we’re going to dive into the absurd, often hilarious, and sometimes downright frustrating challenges women face in the art world. And who better to honor than the wonderful, incredibly talented Elizabeth Hefty Khoury and Sandy Goodwin? Two artists who, despite the odds, still manage to create beautiful, boundary-pushing work, all while being subjected to the bizarre expectations placed on women in the art world. So, here we go, a sarcastic salute to all the female artists out there—especially Elizabeth and Sandy.

The Struggle to Be Taken Seriously: “Cute,” “Sweet,” and Other Patronizing Labels
If you're a female artist, congratulations! You’ve already won the first prize in the "You’re Probably Not Taken Seriously" category. I mean, of course, art made by women must be soft, emotional, and nice, right? It couldn’t possibly have any sharp edges, depth, or complexity because, heaven forbid, we let women think or create in ways that are anything other than 'delicate.'
Take Elizabeth Hefty Khoury, for example. Her work delves into deep, emotional themes—yet somehow, if she were a man, critics would talk about her work with serious, pretentious buzzwords like "existential," "deconstructing boundaries," or "epic." Instead, when a woman creates similar work, suddenly it’s all "cute," "quirky," or worse, "pretty." Oh yes, because a piece of art that took hours, weeks, or even months to create must surely be classified by how "cute" it is. After all, if it’s made by a woman, it couldn’t possibly have the intellectual depth that "serious" art does.
That’s not to say that “cute” can’t be a valid descriptor (we're not totally against pink things), but when your entire career as a female artist is constantly being boiled down to whether or not you make people “feel cozy,” then we have a problem. But hey, at least we're being called “cute,” right? That's progress...?

The Never-Ending Battle for Visibility: You Must Have a ‘Gimmick’
Now, let’s talk about visibility in the art world. If you're a woman, forget about simply showcasing your art. You also need a gimmick. And by "gimmick," I mean something extra preferably something that makes people want to look at you rather than your work.
Enter the social media age! Where followers are more important than galleries, where likes are more valuable than a genuine conversation about technique, and where women artists are often encouraged (sometimes subtly, sometimes not-so-subtly) to wear a little less to sell a little more. Sandy Goodwin, an amazing talent with work that resonates deeply, still has to dance around this bizarre pressure. Her paintings speak volumes, but for the algorithm to notice, she may have to pose next to her art in a crop top, or worse, share a story about how she’s been "feeling sexy and inspired."
Can we talk about the irony here? We’re living in an age where women finally get the chance to express their artistic vision to a massive audience, but it’s not enough. Oh no. To truly break through, you need to become a brand. And that brand? Better be willing to give the world a full view of your personal life—and, preferably, your cleavage.
The cruelest part? It’s not even about what you create anymore, it’s about what you sell of yourself. Because art? Well, that's secondary to the “look” of the artist.

The Art Market's Favorite Game: Show Some Skin
Let’s be real for a second. To sell art as a woman, sometimes it seems like you have to put on a little bit of skin. I'm talking about the “Hey, why don't you just pose in front of your painting with your legs crossed and a wink?” pressure. Which, let’s be honest, is exactly what everyone expects. When was the last time a male artist had to take off his shirt to prove his art was valuable? Yeah, we thought so.
This is where social media really likes to help female artists—by helping them to “promote” their work, of course. Just make sure to throw in a few candid shots of yourself on the beach, casually reclining next to your latest abstract piece. Now, don’t get us wrong. There’s nothing wrong with embracing your body and expressing confidence. But in an industry where men can literally just post a picture of their canvas and a few cryptic quotes, women? We’ve got to work twice as hard—not just to create meaningful art but to market it by any means necessary.
It’s all very meta. You’re an artist, but to get the art noticed, you have to become an influencer. Oh, and also, throw in a little skin. Otherwise, how could anyone possibly appreciate your work without the added bonus of your ‘sellable’ persona?

Shattering Stereotypes: What Elizabeth Hefty Khoury and Sandy Goodwin Do Best
So, what’s the antidote to all this nonsense? If anyone can teach us how to break free from these ridiculous expectations, it's Elizabeth Hefty Khoury and Sandy Goodwin. These two powerhouse artists defy the norms with their work, proving that art is far from being confined to “feminine” expectations.
Elizabeth’s work, with its emotional depth and innovative use of materials, leaves no room for misinterpretation. She’s not here for your labels. Her art speaks loud and clear, and let’s be honest—no one’s going to mistake her for “cute.” Sandy Goodwin, too, continues to push boundaries, creating art that challenges perception while navigating a world that wants to box her into a specific “feminine” role. These women are unapologetically themselves. They aren’t here to play nice or fit into anyone's tidy little expectations. Instead, they’re shattering stereotypes and showing the world that being a female artist is not about being "cute"—it’s about being complex, layered, and unstoppable.

Cheers to the Women Who Make Art (and Take No Prisoners)
In conclusion, let’s raise a glass (filled with whatever you like) to the Elizabeth Hefty Khoury and Sandy Goodwins of the world. Women who continue to create, break barriers, and fight the absurdity of an art world that, despite all of its progress, still places ridiculous expectations on their work—and their bodies.
Let’s not forget, though: these women are more than just “artists.” They’re warriors in a world that still finds it difficult to take them seriously. They are taking over the art world, one piece of art (and one Instagram post) at a time.
So, here’s to all the women out there showing their creativity, their resilience, and yes, their strength—even when it’s not appreciated in the ways it should be. Keep painting, keep posting, and—please, for the love of all things—keep your clothes on when you can. Your art deserves better than that.
To Elizabeth Hefty Khoury and Sandy Goodwin, thank you for showing us what real art looks like. Keep making waves, because we’ll be here watching, and this time, we’ll be appreciating the art, not the packaging.