I am ready to select women who are interested in portraying my new WOMEN WARRIORS. Because I am striving to be historically accurate in as many details as possible, these images are NOT glamorized portraits. Many of these women fought in battle, or were great strategists, and these portraits seek to portray strength and character over physical beauty. You do not need to be a model to apply for WOMEN WARRIORS, and all women are welcome! Absolutely no facial piercings unless they can be removed (1-2 earring holes OK). No facial tattoos. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles, please email me at katie@ekatieholm.com, or call 612-270-0267. Please put the text "Women Warriors" in the email subject line. Let me know which woman (or women) you are interested in portraying and why you would like to be considered for that role. Additionally, please email me 1-3 photos. If you are unable to email photos, I will have an open studio casting in late June or early July. Specific details on each Warrior are below, and to see other artistic portrayals click on the word "images" after each name. I am using these artistic portrayals merely to see how other artists have depicted each woman; you do not need to look like these images to apply.

The WOMEN WARRIORS began in the spring of 2006, and was inspired by the story of England's Queen Boudicca, a heroic and daring leader who has been all but forgotten by history. I was driven to discover other historic women leaders, and longed to know not only their tales, but also what they may have looked like. I decided to interpret their significance by creating a series of formal studio portraits, as if photography had existed during their lifetimes. Each portrait is based on historic evidence and existing artistic depictions, and every attempt has been made to be as historically accurate as possible with resources available to me. In December 2007 I was awarded a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to continue work on WOMEN WARRIORS. With this funding I will be creating eight new portraits and a series of portfolios with which to promote this project, seek funding, exhibitions and gallery representation. The images in this series are created to challenge the viewers' thoughts and ideas about women's roles in history. The WOMEN WARRIORS has allowed me to create an approach to portraiture that exposes and makes real the grandeur of the unmarked and unknown significant life.

If you have a suggestion for more WOMEN WARRIORS, or are a woman who would like to be considered for a future role, please contact me. To keep up with the latest updates, please visit my BLOG.

Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt, c. 1500 BC-1458 BC IMAGES The first Queen Regent to rule as Pharaoh, and one of only five women to do so. Regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. She was one of the most prolific builders in ancient Egypt. Fans of Egyptology will know that her mummy was recently discovered and DNA analyzed, allowing us to know more about her lineage and physical build. Interesting fact: at the time of her death, Hatshepsut was obese and diabetic.
Model notes: Hatshepsut reigned for 20+ years, and I would like to portray her between ages 30-42. Because she portrayed herself as Pharaoh (male), I may choose to dress her in the traditional Pharaonic costume, which was only a collar and kilt (no top). If you are interested in this role but do not want to be photographed topless, consideration will be given to this, so please apply.

Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, Vietnam, c. 12-43 AD IMAGES Two sisters who became leaders and successfully repelled Chinese invasions for three years. Most of their 36 generals were women, including their mother. They are national heroines of Vietnam.
Model notes: The Trung sisters would have been between ages 28-31 (approx.) during their leadership. Ideally I would like two sisters, or cousins, to portray these women. No dyed hair, please.

Nzinga Mbandi, Africa, c. 1583 - 1663 IMAGES Queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in southwestern Africa (Angola). She fought against Portuguese slave trade, and put women in positions of power.
Model notes: Nzinga took power around 1622 at approx. age 39, and reigned until she was 80, and will portray her anywhere between these ages.

Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica, ?- c. 1733 IMAGES National Heroine of Jamaica and a well-known leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the eighteenth century. Fought against Spanish and British slavers, and sought independence for the people she led. Nanny is believed to be a free woman from the Akan or Ashanti tribe who came to Jamaica of her own choice. She was both a spiritual leader and expert strategist, and many myths and superstitions surround her existence.
Model notes: While Nanny's exact age is not known, she is depicted as an older-looking woman. I will portray her anywhere between ages 40-65.

Nanye-hi (Nancy Ward), America, c. 1738-1822 IMAGES Cherokee "Beloved Woman" She struggled for peaceful co-existence with white settlers, and was a revered leader in her tribe. On two occasions she managed to thwart hostile attacks, and was able to save the lives of many settlers and Native Americans alike.
Model notes: I would like to portray Nanye-Hi anywhere between ages 43-70.

Deborah Sampson Gannett, America, 1760 -1827 IMAGES The first known American woman to impersonate a man in order to join the Army, the first to fight in combat, and the first to receive a military pension.
Model notes: I would like to portray Deborah as either the 22-year-old who joined the army, the 42-year-old who gave lectures on her adventures, or in her early 50s when she was petitioning for her pension. The painting of her in the oval frame is an actual historic painting.

Policarpa Salvarrieta "La Pola," Columbia, c. 1791 - 1817 IMAGES "La Pola" was an orphaned seamstress who became an important strategist and spy, and fought in the Colombian revolution for independence from Spain. The Spanish put her to death, but Colombia eventually got its freedom.
Model notes: I would like to portray Policarpa in her early- to mid-twenties, about the age when she was captured and executed.

Lakshmi Bai, The Rani of Jhansi, India, c. 1828 - 1858 IMAGES Lakshmi was the queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi in North India, was one of the leading figures of the Indian rebellion of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India. Her fall brought about many significant changes in India. Due to her bravery, she became a national hero and the epitome of female bravery.
Model notes: Lakshmi will be portrayed around age 30.

Agnes Randolph was the wife of Patrick Dunbar, and descended from a long line of families active in the fight for Scottish independence from England. She was known as "Black Agnes" because of her dark hair and complexion.

In 1338 Dunbar Castle became the center of struggle against English occupation. Patrick Dunbar was in Northern Scotland, and the castle had been left with Agnes and a few men-at-arms. William Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, arrived at Dunbar Castle with 20,000 men. He thought taking the castle would be easy. Salisbury, a military genius, began his siege by hurling huge rocks at the Castle walls. When there was a break in the battle, he was stunned by what he saw. Agnes and her women, dressed in their finest clothes, issued out to the ramparts and began dusting away the debris with white handkerchiefs, mocking the English.

Salisbury tried every trick in the book to defeat Agnes, but was outsmarted every time. Agnes destroyed his battering ram, defeated his attempt to break into the castle, and foiled his plans to starve them out. In desperation Salisbury threatened to kill Agnes' brother, an English prisoner of war. Agnes cleverly pointed out that, should her brother die, she would become more wealthy and powerful.

After five long months of siege Salisbury admitted defeat and left Agnes to her castle. Agnes was commemorated in a ballad attributed to Salisbury and his troops, "Cam I early, cam I late, there was Agnes at the gate."

Grace O'Malley was born into a pirating family, and her father was chieftain of the O'Malley Clan. Legends purport that, as a young girl, Grace shaved off her long hair in order to join her father's expedition to Spain. From this she earned the nickname "Gráinne Mhaol," or "Grace of the Cropped Hair."

Over her life Grace married twice and bore four children. Her youngest son was born on ship during a raid. Through her two marriages Grace claimed the allegiance of three pirating clans, and the English remarked of her, "This is a notorious woman on all the coasts of Ireland."

In 1584 Sir Richard Bingham became English Governor in Ireland, and his personal vendetta was against Grace O'Malley. Over nine years the vicious battle tore her family apart. Grace appealed directly to Queen Elizabeth I for help, and in September 1593 Grace O'Malley entered her court. Their meeting was conducted in Latin, the only language the two women had in common. Grace was given a kerchief, which she tossed into the fire after using. Astounded, the Queen remarked that the kerchief could be washed for later reuse. Grace replied that the Irish apparently had higher standards of cleanliness. Queen Elizabeth was so impressed by the pirate that she allowed Grace to continue her career, and Bingham was removed from Ireland.

Grace continued to lead her pirate ships until she was too old to command. She lived to see the fall of her Gaelic world at the Battle of Kinsale, two years before her death in 1603. Queen Elizabeth died the same year. Grace had considered their meeting one of equals.

Jemima Nicholas was the wife of a cobbler and lived in Fishguard, Wales. In 1797, during the Napoleonic Wars, France attempted to invade England through Ireland. The fleet was blown off course and landed on the coast near Fishguard. Under the command of Colonel William Tate the French soldiers began ransacking the villages. Lured by the food and wine they found many of the soldiers wound up drunk.

Fishguard's troops were out of town on a military campaign, and the local townsfolk were in a panic when Jemima Nicholas stepped forward. She rallied the women of the town together, instructing them to dress in their traditional Welsh outfits, which consisted of black felt hats and red shawls. They armed themselves with whatever crude weapons they could find and placed themselves on a ridge over-looking the French troops. The few men in Fishguard placed themselves on the city docks and walls. In the fading sunlight the French mistook what they saw as British redcoats coming to the aid of the Welsh townsfolk. The French surrendered within two days, but not before Jemima had single-handedly captured twelve of the assailants with nothing more than a pitchfork.

Jemima lived to be 82. A commemorative painting of her hangs in Fishguard's Royal Oak Inn, where she can watch over the place of Tate's final surrender.