My obsession with "The Vote" and my current WIP

Turning 18 is a symbol of freedom for lots of people. For some it's marked with drinking in excess. Or getting a license. Or graduating and moving out on their own. For me? The day I turned 18 the first thing I did was register to vote.

I don't consider myself to be terribly politically minded. I don't know Who's Who in the world politics and most state, local and national politics just leave me feeling rather sad. But I've always, no matter what country I was living in, made it a point to vote.

I don't vote uninformed. Election time may be the only time I pay close attention to the politics around me but I do know who I'm voting for and why I'm voting for them. My political leanings are very different from my family and friends but they are solid and grounded.

Maybe this is why I'm obsessed with the current situation in Iran. The people were given the right to vote. The people of Iran turned out in record numbers. And then their vote was not counted. Where is the logic in that? The issue to me isn't whether or not the person legally voted in would be better or worse for the outside world. The issue is the individual right of the Iranian people. Is their "Right To Vote" real? Imaginary? Is it a farce so that nation's leaders can wave the "Look at us! Our people are free and have the right of personal choice" flag?

What happens when I become obsessed with a subject? I read about it constantly. I want to learn all I can about it. And then? I paint it.

This is only a WIP. Much, much work to go (though I hope I finish while the issue is still relevant.). The green sign to the right of my painting is the text I wish to add to her veil. I might add both the Farsi and the English. Or I may add only the Farsi. And the hands I wish to add at the bottom below her veil, if there's room and it works with the composition.