Since venturing into the intimidating world of Instagram to promote my business, I’ve been overwhelmed by the sheer talent and communities I have discovered. (As I am also undertaking a masters degree) It has been enough to divert my research path in order to incorporate these inspiring communities of practice, and I have decided to create and facilitate my own community. A community of artist-mothers who will encourage and respond to each others work, discuss how we do both- how or if motherhood informs and changes our art-making, and how we engage with the outside art-world.
I have recently been invited into the homes of new families at what I think may be their most vulnerable time in their lives. As a photographer, I go in hoping to capture the raw, honest moments of new parents. I find it amazing because, I see myself just one year prior. Those first moments which are clouded with exhaustion, sore milk-filled boobs and a healing body are also replaced so quickly by confidence, strength and thankfully, independence again. I find myself wanting to comfort the new mothers- I want to hug them and say try and enjoy these moments! Don’t panic when you struggle with breast-feeding, don’t break down and cry because you haven’t been able to have a shower today or you’ve tried 3 times to get out of the house and each time was a failed attempt. It gets so much easier! And you can do this. Believe me, we’ve all been there.
Just to highlight some of the major fears that were circling through my mind in those long first weeks:
-My body was ruined.
-I won’t be able to keep breastfeeding so I am a bad mother.
-My baby might stop breathing.
-When was my stomach going to go down?
-Can you die from lack of sleep?
-Is her belly button infected?
-Will I ever be able to go the toilet normally again?
As you can see, art-making never really crossed my mind, I felt for so long that I couldn’t do both, that my pregnant fears had come true and I had to choose between being an artist and a mother. I do regret not making more art at such a pivotal time and now I am continuously trying to relive those moments through other new parents. Documenting and reflecting is vital to us practitioners. Let’s keep going.
I’m inviting you to make art mama!
Follow @belleartphotography #makeartmama
Nesting 