We asked a couple questions about how motherhood has effected, or hasn't effected, these wonderful women in life, in creativity and in business. This is what Jaime McCarrier, Jenna Brownlee and Liz Lidgett had to say about it.
I would say, absolutely yes. Motherhood impacts me as a person and an artist. Growing up with a single father, I had a pretty clear vision of becoming a mother myself one day. I wanted to make sure I could fulfill those important moments for my kids that were absent in my own childhood. Motherhood has strengthened me, shown me childhood through a different lens, and allowed me to see myself through a different lens. It has shown me a type of challenging, selfless love that has forever changed my identity, which in turn influences what I choose to paint.
I paint a little piece of me and my experience with being a mother in each "mama" piece. I want to capture the beauty in the everyday moments of motherhood, because those are the ones I remember and miss the most as my own kids grow. Oftentimes simply holding your child. Or their little hand in yours. That time you can never get back. I think that feeling is universal, and I hope other mother's connect with it and can see themselves and their own memories through these pieces.
There will never be enough words or paint to describe or show how much becoming a mother has meant to me, but I will continue to try my best :)
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to learn more about Jaime McCarrier and see her available work.
I have two kids, Elle (4 years) and Ben (2.5 years). Motherhood has changed me to my core in both my daily life and as an artist. After my daughter was born, it was like everything came into focus and it was time for me to become who I had always intended to be - I left my corporate job to become a full-time independent artist. Now, there isn't as much separation from my work life and mom life - the balance of work/family is much more blended. This shift in my career as an artist which was encouraged by becoming a mom has given me the time and space to do what I love and be with who I love most.
I was surprised by how natural and instinctual it was when my first was born. Don't get me wrong...there were (and often still are) moments when I don't know what the heck I'm doing but also an assured confidence that I'll always be there for this little person. I think that assurance has translated into my art, too. Less doubt and insecurities and more of an "I've got this" attitude. It's made me both stronger and more vulnerable at the same time.
I don't know if being an artist changes the way I parent but it enhances my family's lives, for sure. Especially my daughter, Elle (my son, Ben is more of a sports kid like my husband) - she loves to color and paint so I lean into it with her and embrace her creativity. I include her in my studio to draw while I paint, I bring her to the gallery (she calls it mommy's work), take her to the Art Center, we fill our house with art (mine, hers and collected), etc. Seeing her kind of follow in my childhood footsteps and those moments of "that's definitely my kid" through art brings me so much joy and pride. I truly think my love and passion for art was passed onto her.
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to learn more about Jenna Brownlee and see her available work.
Motherhood is such an interesting topic to dive into. It can be both a universal experience between mothers and totally unique at the same time. It’s an experience that can be entered into in so many ways. There’s no right way to “mother” and so I say my experience with the humility of understanding that this is just that– my own experience.
I often think of the gallery as my third baby. My son Rocky was born in March of 2018, we opened the gallery in May of 2019 and a little over a year after that our daughter Effie was born in June 2020. (and then we got a puppy in 2021–what was I thinking?) I say all that to say, the kids and the gallery have grown up together. They’ll never remember a time when it didn’t exist.
We talk at home about how much I love them, and how much I love the gallery. I want them to know that when I leave in the morning I am excited to go do what I do, and then I am excited to be with them when I am at home. I want them to know they had a mother who worked and felt passionate about what she did. I hope it teaches them lessons for their adult lives.
The way that my work has changed since becoming a mother is how I prioritize what gets done in a day. I often say, “if it’s not a hell yes, then it’s a hell no.” Time is my most precious resource and I guard it fiercely now. I love my kids and love working and have learned to not have guilt about anything surrounding it. I’m proud of the work I do and I hope it sets a wonderful example as they set their own paths.
