The ministry of motherhood

It’s long while since I’ve spent time making art just by feeling. Most of my artwork is created through the replication of visual imagery - typically through the use of a photo for reference. But on the day that this painting came to be, I was distraught. It had been one of those that a mother would love to forget. As a neurodivergent mother of neurodivergent children, there are many days we feel mutually hurt, misunderstood, or just so overstimulated that we can’t imagine hearing even one more word come out of another person’s mouth. We need to retreat, to reset, and to reimagine the way we view one another and ourselves.

On this day, I did just that. I retreated to my art area for a reset. I pulled out a canvas and prepared my workspace for something I couldn’t even yet visualize. But when I put my brush to the canvas, the first color I laid out was black. My world felt dark in that moment. But as I continued to paint, I added white. My mood was still gloomy, hazy, but lightening. As I brushed, I started to feel a glimmer of hope. A sense of peace washed over me, and before I knew it, my canvas was full of silver and gold, just like my life. My world. By the time I had felt in my heart that this piece was complete, my mood had lifted and I had created something that started out desperate but transformed into something beautiful. I wanted the share that moment with you.

The Ministry of Motherhood is available to purchase is in my store, and might be the perfect addition to your home or space.