I started painting with my menstrual blood in 2008/2009 after a cervical cancer scare. At the age of 38 at the time, though I had no plans to make more than the two children I already had, the thought of losing my moon cycle frightened the bejesus out of me. I had had family members that struggled with cancer during my lifetime, and the idea that it would impact every aspiration I had was met with a frantic desire to get what I could do in case the worst happened.

The biopsy proved the growth was HPV, but we had caught it before it could become detrimental. A few months after the scare had passed, I was on the phone with my best friend, complaining of cramps and the general ick that comes with being a woman at that time of the month. Her response was to chide me for being ungrateful that I was bleeding, and I quote, "Go sit on a canvas and make art out of it." And that is how this journey began. 

I am now post-menopausal and no longer bleed for bleeding's sake. Though the bleeding lasted another nine years (my periods stopped around 2017), I still have canvases and drawings that have yet to be finished.

I applaud all women. Being a femme is a tricky business. If you are one of those making an effort to reduce the stigma of our moon movements and are regaining and celebrating our inner (and outer) life-giving goddess, I thank you for your daring. Stay inspiring. 

Others Who Are Creating Menstrual Art:

We Painted Pictures With Our Menstrual Blood To Break The Stigma That Periods Are Gross (buzzfeed.com)

Painting With Human Blood: Menstrual Art (trendhunter.com)

Artist Paints Canvases With Her Own Menstrual Blood (jezebel.com)

Let it bleed – art’s revival of menstrual blood | Women | The Guardian

painting with menstrual blood - Search (bing.com)