The Toll- Inspired by Martina McBride's "Independence Day"

Inspired by Martina McBride’s “Independence Day”, this original one of a kind ACEO features a cracked yellow bell of a festive seeming red, white, and blue background. This ACEO is the sixth in my “Wet, Hot, American Sarcasm” collection which features a total of 6 cards inspired by songs people tend to think are patriotic, but aren’t. If you’re here and reading this I am going to assume that you are familiar enough with the song to know what the lyrics are actually about, but if not, please go look them up before proceeding. The story in the song is both a tragedy and a cautionary tale about what happens when all other options are exhausted. It’s what life once looked like for women trapped in desperate situations and what it would still look like if not for the efforts of women to gain their rights. We cannot and should not condone violence, but if we are to prevent it we must have a clear understanding of the circumstances that lead to it. You can’t choose better options unless those options remain available. The ringing of a bell has many symbolic meanings- wedding bells, death knells, bells of freedom– the bell on this card represents all 3. The crack in the bell is an homage to the crack in the famous Liberty Bell, but it also represents the broken trust of wedding vows not honored as they should be. And while the festive red, white and blue are “America’s colors” they are also the colors of anger, sorrow, and finding peace in a final resolution. This original, one of a kind ACEO was made on acid free, archival quality, cold pressed water color paper with fine art grade acrylic paints and inks that will not fade, crack or peel. Additionally the piece is coated with a high quality professional varnish for added protection. The back of the card serves as a built in certificate of authenticity, featuring the title, artist’s signature, date of completion and naming the artist and song that inspired it. Plastic storage sleeve included