Motherhood’s Influence on My Art
Since welcoming my daughter into the world 14 months ago, my creative energy has shifted. A craving for richer, more saturated palettes has shown up and I've found comfort in a process I have more control over.
The past 14 months
My hands and brain weren’t communicating in the same manner as they were before having my daughter. This was creating a lot of resistance in the studio, which was not enjoyable. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this struggle was causing a creative block that lasted 14 months. I've finally found a breakthrough. During this creative hurdle, I made some beautiful work; a full collection called The Journey Home Collection. What you’re seeing is likely the final product of many paintings covered up. Any work that came out of my hands in 2023 is special – a result of overcoming creative hurdles.
I used to be a "let's see where this painting/ collection takes me" type of artist, but I don’t have the energy to fully commit to that type of practice now.
My old way of creating art doesn't quite fit into this new chapter of life. The intuitive, go-with-the-flow approach demands more energy and time than I have most days. I’m craving more structure in my life and that is spilling over to my art practice. Parenting can be overwhelming, and in those moments when things are beyond our control, the desire for structure kicks in. My focus is to raise my daughter, which leaves me with minimal studio time compared to pre-Charli. My studio time now revolves around nap times and the occasional post-dinner session.
Reflecting on my favorite paintings gave me a good idea of what elements I need to revisit in this new work. I embraced this shift in my practice and found a way to combine a structured process with my love for intuitive work. I can’t wait to get this new work onto the canvas!
What can you expect from my art this year?
I'm diving into a richer, more saturated palette, resulting in paintings full of depth and layers exploring overlapping shapes and the relationship of color – neutral with pops of color. We can’t forget about our love for texture! I’ll be exploring my signature textures – coffee grounds, sand, and limestone powder. I would love to release two collections of work this year and small framed studies.
Thank you for sticking with me through this creative transition. While the new work will echo the previous years, there will be unique elements that I am so excited to explore. That's what being an artist is all about – evolving and growing, just like life itself.
