I made this painting for my husband’s niece who just got the best teaching job ever in a charter school in Rochester. For inspiration, she gave me a list of sayings her school uses to motivate the girls.
When I first saw “Be loud, be proud,” I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I get the Be Proud part, but Be Loud? Really?
Oh, right. Of course. The whole idea of Being Loud conflicts with how I was raised to be a quiet, Nice Girl. Quite, nice, non-confrontational, respectful. Best to be seen and not heard. Blend in the background. Do not speak up.
At 43 I still struggle at times with finding my voice. I still stay quiet when I have to much to contribute. I have opinions and beliefs and feelings that I often keep to myself, to keep the peace.
I am a Peacemaker for certain. I’m introverted. I’m deeply compassionate. Being Loud kind of goes against the grain of my being.
But what if I was taught to Be Loud and Proud instead of quiet and nice?
I’ll never know the answer to that question and I cannot go back and change the past. So speaking out, worrying less about what others may think, being true to myself…this is all part of my work now.
I like the 40’s. Being loud and proud isn’t always easy for me. But, these days I’m feeling a lot better in my own skin, just as I am.
Hello friends! I'm Lori Portka. I make art with the intention to radiate love and healing. 
Beautiful Lori, your “loudness” is expressed through your art – and not in the ways we often view the term. This is a loudness that is so powerful, yet gentle and loving. “Strong or emphatic in expression” is one of the definitions of loud that I just saw. 🙂 You express so clearly the messages of love, joy, truth, and connection. The energy you radiate needs no boisterous words. It speaks so much “louder” than that. <3
You are so wise Alia. Truth just pours out of you. What you wrote reminds me that I participated in a shamanic journey and the animal that came up for me was a buck- powerful, yet strong and loving. So true. Loving you so!
what a beautiful painting. I am so very similar to you, I am very quiet most of the time. I know I need to learn how to speak up and be loud. I am slowly finding my loud voice.
It’s so good to know that I am not alone. Mostly I like it that I do not run around barking my feelings and opinions. But sometimes I feel a pit in my stomach when I know I haven’t been true to myself by not using my voice. Big love to you.
i LOVE them.
every one of them.
+ love them together.
+ i want to hear them.
+ i want to hear you.
+ i do.
+ i’m grateful.
xoxox
loved this post. we are very similar deary. although I was louder as a kid and got quieter. It happened as recently as last weekend that i didn’t speak my mind in a group setting. bothers me a week later…and the painting is kickass. but that was a given.
Susie, I was SO much louder when I was younger. I feel like each year I get a little more introverted. Cool to know I am in good company.
Oh I think there are plenty of loud people out there already! I think a lot of us artists tend to be on the quiet side and we express ourselves visually rather than vocally. I used to want to be more outspoken but I have learned to accept me the way that I am. 🙂
Jess xx
Lori, you are so awesome. Love this post. I can relate. And I think that is cool.
I love your post. Most of how you describe yourself is what I am. I too am quiet on the outside.
But inside something rages and I wish my outside would match my inside. I love peace. But I also feel peace can truly come to live in me when being loud and quiet aren’t the labels defining me… I want to be actually loud when I want to be loud. And I want to be truly quiet when I want to be quiet.
this is
A W E S O M E !
I used to be a loud girl, then I was socialized to be a quiet girl. Now I’m loud again.
You absolutely have to put prints of this in your shop. It is such an important message to send out to the world!
Love..love..love this! Like you – I’m quiet and introverted..and ‘loud’ scares me. But then – I do find myself asking that same question. What if I’d been encouraged to speak my voice? How different might I be?
Beautiful!
This is a beautiful painting and these girls are so fortunate to be encouraged to speak their truth to the world. I, personally, was squelched as a child and even at 64, still struggle to let myself shine. But I did give my daughter the message that she could do anything she chose to do in life, and now she is an assertive, confident woman who is successful in her field.
I love your beautiful, giving heart, Lori.
Your work is inspiring!