Megan Caldwell Chandler

My new book is titled Helpmeat.  The title is a play on the phrase helpmeet, or the more well know term, helpmate.  In the most basic sense it’s defined as a helpful partner, but it’s also a common term used amongst certain fundamental religious groups to describe a woman’s role towards her husband.  (Sort of an equal, but not equal, sexy, but not sexy, house maid thing.)  If you do some searching you can find various modern and old-timey writings about this term.  Word of warning:  if you haven’t already heard about this helpmeet thing, I would only attempt research with a puke bucket nearby. 

I had never heard of this phrase helpmeet until a couple weeks ago.  Once I discovered it, I was seeing it everywhere.  I couldn’t get the phrase out of my head, so I made this book.  I followed the same method I used last week.  (Click here to read about it!)  I chose one of my many boxes of scraps and I went to it.  When these new scraps were sorted, there emerged a dainty red/pink theme.  The box also contained some scraps with images of cuts of beef.  Kismet, again?! 

As you can (hopefully) see, I have a very strong reaction to this subject matter.  I made this book in a quick fury and I’m very proud of the finished product.  It’s certainly one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever made.

I think my favorite part of creating this piece was painting the blow-up doll/sausage link woman.  It reminded me of an interesting memory from my childhood.  When I was about six years old, I had a pocket-sized, wire bound memo pad in which I liked to draw.  One day I was overwhelmed with the desire to draw Adam and Eve.  I illustrated them “before the fall,” of course, so I could draw all of their uncovered naughty bits.  When finished, I hid the drawing because I had this nagging feeling I had done something wrong.  Of course, my mom found the drawing.  I don’t remember exactly what she said to me or if I was punished, but I felt very ashamed.  Despite my shame, I also felt an amazing thrill.  This moment was the genesis of my artistic calling.  How incredible that my simple drawing could generate in me so much excitement and delight, and in my mother, so much shame and fear?  It was in this moment that I learned power and potency of Art. 

(Disclaimer:  My mom is pretty much the coolest woman I know.  I’m sure she has her own version of this story.  If I had to guess, I bet my mom laughed when she found my drawing.  She had to know I got the idea from looking through her book, Living on the Earth.  I’m now the proud owner of this book and it’s one of my most prized possessions.)