The Rugged Ones series began as a response to a question about life in contemporary Wyoming and women’s equality issues. “The Rugged Ones” explore the story of women in Wyoming and their relationship to typical feminist ideals.  Better Be Tough is a decorated serving plate ornamented with altered edges, slip trailing, carving, direct painting and stains that references the style of 18th and 19th century European tableware. A hand carved and painted illustration of a magpie is centrally located in the plate, interacting with her surroundings. The juxtaposition of the familiarly 'fancy' serving dish with an image of a bird that's strikingly beautiful, yet ubiquitous and frequently overlooked or even treated with disdain might make a viewer pause to consider. Traditional gender roles that dovetail (or not) within a self-declared 'woke' but conservative agrarian society are concepts I've pondered in the creation of this series. This particular plate is a hefty, sturdy thickness, measures 12”x12”x 2 1/2” and is made from hand thrown stoneware. Lead free, food safe, microwave, dishwasher and oven friendly. Foot is sanded smooth and pierced to accommodate a wire for hanging, if desired.