"...parenthood is an unmatched opportunity for growing in beauty and creativity."
--Polly Berrien Berends, Whole Child/Whole Parent
a sketch of my sister Karen and her new baby (2015)
In honor of Mother's Day which happened a few days ago, I have decided to gather all my blog posts about motherhood together. I will add any relevant future posts, so that they can always be found here. Looking back over these posts from the past three years, I am surprised to read about the struggles and issues that had once seemed all-consuming, but now have passed away. For example, my children are older now (ages 8 and 11) and they no longer need me as much. They are coming into their own independence, and I realize this is a little sad for me. I miss that stage of life when they were babies, although I am grateful and awe-filled by the wonderful way they are growing and blossoming into themselves.
Also, I'm now quite immersed in a thriving art career which keeps me very busy, so now my struggle is more about making sure to set aside quality time with each child, and to prioritize these relationships no matter how busy I am. The one constant theme I see here is the need to strive for balance. A gracious acceptance of one's imperfections can't hurt either. Being a mom is the most humbling and love-filled experience of my life!
So...Happy Mother's Day!
I want to say, I'm grateful for my mom, the most loving, selfless, and understanding woman in the world! She has supported me in all of my dreams every step of the way. Thank you Mom!
a sketch of my son in the car seat, when he was an infant (2010)
Generous Permission September 4, 2015 my first blog post ever, my first attempt to integrate motherhood and art
Sharing Wonder: Looking at Art Books with My Daughter September 11, 2015
Thoughts on Perfection and Motherhood September 18, 2015
Poems About Paintings Part 3 November 18, 2015 a poem about my son, and a portrait I painted of him
Mother-Daughter Trip to the Met December 23, 2015
Sketches of my friend Meghan and her new baby (2018)
The Spiritual Quality of Beauty January 13, 2016 an essay I wrote about bringing aesthetic sensibilities to the art of mothering young children
Housewife on Fire March 9, 2016 how my passion for art was apparently at odds with my ability to be a good mother and wife, and how I worked through it
Finding Balance June 1, 2016 this is a constant quest, but noble and worthy
My Son Is Mad at Me Again June 8, 2016 struggling with motherhood, and using art to process it all
A sketch of my daughter Nell when she was nine months old! (2007)
A Room of One's Own September 14, 2016 when I realized I needed my own space, and got it!
Having an Artist Mom October 26, 2016 a guest blog post written by my daughter, age 10
Birth Day December 21, 2016 thoughts about the experience of giving birth
Baby Sketches April 26, 2017 sketches I did of my children when they were infants in my arms
Paintings of Mothers May 17, 2017 paintings by other artists
"Mother and Child on a Winter Day" 4x6" gouache on paper (2018)