As someone who’s been an artist for as long as I can remember, becoming a Mum has added a whole new layer of inspiration and creativity to my life.
From the moment I could hold a pencil, art has been my passion. Whether it was doodling all over my notebooks during school or spending hours painting in my makeshift studio, creating has always been my happy place. So as my first baby bump grew, I couldn’t help but wonder how motherhood would influence my artistic journey.
Fast forward to becoming a Mum, and suddenly my world was filled with sleepless nights, endless nappy changes and the sweetest, cutest baby squeaks I’ve ever heard (we even nicknamed our baby ‘Squeaky’ haha). Amidst the chaos of new motherhood, I found unexpected inspiration in the most ordinary moments. The way the afternoon light danced through the nursery curtains or the tiny toes that wriggled as we played became the subjects of my sketches.
As my little one grows, so does my desire to create art, but of course “balancing” motherhood and creativity isn’t easy! In fact, I don’t believe there’s such a thing as “life balance” - just a flow of priorities as needs change. There are days when nap time is my only chance to squeeze in some design work (instead of a shower or food), and others when comforting a crying bub takes precedence over my paint brushes. Honestly, there was a point where I questioned if I would ever find a chunk of time to focus and paint. But through it all, I’ve learned to embrace the ebb and flow, finding and cherishing pockets of time to nurture both my child and my creative spirit.
One of the most beautiful aspects of combining motherhood and being an artist is the opportunity to infuse a new love and emotion into pieces of art. Whether it’s a pattern inspired by baby’s first milestones or a painting collection dedicated to the wonder of seeing new places, each piece holds a piece of my heart and tells a subtle story of motherhood in all its messy, beautiful glory.
An unexpected joy of this journey has been connecting with fellow Mum-preneurs who share a similar passion for creativity and business. From online communities to local Mum groups, I’ve found a small but supportive network of like-minded women who understand the challenges and triumphs of prioritising parenthood and pursuing business endeavours.
As I reflect on my journey so far, I’m reminded of the incredible power of creativity in motherhood. From soothing a fussy baby with a made-up nonsense lullaby to capturing precious moments in a sketchbook, creativity has been my constant companion in this wild and wonderful ride. And while there may be days when the laundry piles up and the paint brushes gather dust, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share this chaotic, beautiful life with all of you - here’s to many more years of art, business, motherhood and everything in between.
Photography by Bird + Bear