Interesting Feedback!

It seems there are many people who feel safe enough to express their personal barriers and it's been an interesting pleasure to have an insight into a few. On a particular piece of work I've had an array of comments ranging from sheer disgust to supportive praise. I have enjoyed reading each comment, although I doubt some will realise how much their out pour has conveyed. Here are a few of the comments I received:

Anonymous said...

I'm kind of over the whole menstrual blood thing. It has been done a few times, and each time it has been equally disgusting. You are embarrassing yourself and making it harder for the rest of us. Would you rub your own feces on your face and make a portrait? Can everyone please stop playing with the waste your body makes? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

No. I dont even care what this represents.
N O

Anonymous said...

you are a fucking disgusting person 

Bloody Mary said...

Very expressive. Good technique! I envy your bloody style. Ta darling!

Anonymous said...

you think if you went to all the trouble to make a painting out of expired snatch blood. You would put some time and effort into painting a human face.
You need to learn your anatomy. Lady. This is simply shock art...its philosophy. Start honing your skills. 

Anonymous said...

your work is outstanding, and you deeply, on levels i didn't know would be triggered, inspire me to be courageous and honor my sacred woman self. thank you so much for being so brave, and sharing your self with all of us. you are a gift to women everywhere. 

Anonymous said...

This makes me want to punch myself in the balls over and over. 10/10

Anonymous said...

iv'e seen another woman do this and the paintings were beautiful, still disgusting, but beautiful. your painting sucks. and you are disgusting for putting that on your face. 

Anonymous said...

People's squeamishness is really quite amusing. I can imagine a few of the same people enjoy masturbating to images of women with semen on their faces, yet this scares them. How cute.
Personally I find it interesting and not remotely disgusting. 

Jane Sawicki ND said...

I love this!!! Sometimes its takes doing something outside the norm to make a point. This interesting how many people have missed the point and are stuck in the limiting thought patterns that feed the shame and disgust around menstrual cycles. Thank you for this Layla, beneath the physical nature of blood cells and plasma, our menstrual cycles are indeed sacred gifts that hold healing wisdom and nourish life! x 

kate said...

Hi layne, I honour you for doing this! I think the amount of responses where people have expressed shock or disgust is an indication of how disconnected we have become from our bodies and natural processes. Those responses illustrate your point - we have become ashamed of what is natural. I see my period as a perfect indication that I am healthy, that as a woman my body is doing exactly what is it supposed to be doing. It's tangible proof that as a woman, I have wonderful, life producing potential. It is the most beautiful expression of blood loss - not borne of wounds but of natural life forming and renewing processes. Something worth celebrating I say! I am slowly re-learning my own views on my sexuality and physicality - I want to celebrate all that is natural and not shy away or be ashamed of it. Good on ya woman! Kate 

Thank you to all who have commented, I've taken each one on board

Layne x


http://layne-arlina.blogspot.com/2011/05/self-portrait-with-menstrual-blood.html