One Year of Mother Art STL
One year ago this week, I launched the Mother Art STL website and Instagram account. It felt like jumping off the high dive into pitch black water; I had no idea what was about to happen, but I was bewitched by the prospect that jumping in would be just the rush I desperately needed. I knew I wanted to do two things:
Share the art I make with other people as sort of an accountability situation. I really wanted to commit to a meaningful art making practice after over a decade of thinking it wasn’t for me.
Enter into and develop my own Mother Artist community. Perhaps it was because I had spent so much time thinking the life of an artist wasn’t for me, but I was completely fascinated by the intersection of motherhood and artistry. Motherhood, which we are taught to think is about sacrifice and exhaustion and busyness, seems to be at absolute odds with art. Art is about freedom and expression and beauty. How on earth does one do both?
(Spoiler: realizing Motherhood isn’t what we are taught to think it is pretty much answers that question.)
I accomplished those goals…and then some. Selling my art was a professional and personal accomplishment I didn’t think was possible. Selling the art and sharing stories of other incredibly talented Mother Artists was humbling, while also giving me a next-level sense of purpose and belonging. Thanks to compulsive nesting and an extra supportive partner, I even moved my teeny basement studio to the upstairs, well-lit office.
So what’s next? Stay tuned for more Mother Artist stories. I find the lives and routines of the women I’ve gotten to know in the past year to be fascinating. Their brilliant stories are cloaked in resilience, passion, vulnerability, and beauty. And yet, they are so relatable, whether you’re an artist or not. You will find a bit of yourself in each mother I speak to, I am sure of it. I hope to branch out of St. Louis and reach out to any Mother Artist, no matter the geography. (Fingers crossed that whoever own www.motherart.com will sell the rights!)
Of course, more art to come. Supporters of Mother Art STL (that would be you!) always get the first glimpse of new work, prints, stories, and happenings. In fact, you can find new work popping up on my shop starting now with a formal launch coming earlier next month.
I am so grateful for this little niche of humans that have been there to support me along the way, which includes you, dear reader. In lieu of a huge, real-life hug, please accept a little virtual gift from me. Enjoy 20% off any original work available on my site. Use offer code MOTHER20 at checkout!
Thank you to my people. I couldn’t do it without you!
Samantha
