Seraphine

Last night I went with a close friend to see a film called 'Seraphine', it is a French film with subtitles, it is based on a true story about a simple cleaning woman in Northern France who has a rare artistic talent (played brilliantly by actress Yolande Moreau). Her canvases are discovered by chance by a famous German art critic, Wilhelm Uhde (Ulrich Tukur), when he happens to move to the area. He is already a champion for artists such as Picasso and Rousseau.

He begins purchasing and championing her work, though sadly his efforts on her behalf are interrupted by World War I.

After the war, the artist and her patron are reunited, with Seraphine finally achieving the fame and riches commensurate with her talents. Unfortunately, she's unable to handle her new found success and begins to suffer a devastating emotional unraveling which results in her admittance to a psychiatric hospital where she remains for the rest of her life.

Her name was Seraphine de Senlis and this is an example of her work, she made her own paints out of animal blood, flowers and candlewax and had no training at all - I think they are amazing.

Women's Aid

http://www.womensaid.org.uk/default.asp

Football violence --- in the home

I haven't posted for a while but this morning I heard some disturbing statistics, apparently, during the world cup in 2006, 25% more women reported incidents of Domestic Violence. Probably due to frustration and extra alchohol consumption.

Please, please, please, if this is happening to you then do get in touch with someone, there really is a lot of help out there if you can be brave enough to ask for it. Ring the Women's Aid Helpline, (I will find the number and put it up on here)

here

or contact 'Refuge' the link is on the right hand side of my home page. If not you can always send me a message in confidence, I am here to help if I can.

Don't despair!!! xxx