Painter Henriette Wyeth, a member of one of America's preeminent families of artists, relaxes in her studio in 1990. Still working at age 83, she confided, "In my family, painting and drawing were like bread and butter on the table--commonplace and wonderful."
I swiped this photo and caption out of a national geographic maybe 10 years ago. It has moved around with me since then and usually ends up hanging on the wall above my creative space. I love it so much. And not just because Henriette is adorably classy. It's because I thought that seemed like a beautiful situation, growing up in a house positively full of creative energy.
I had stopped painting once I found out I was pregnant. There are some crazy fumes that go along with painting and I didn't want to take any risks that Harvey would come out with five eyeballs or something like that. But now that he's here I have been painting again. And oh, it feels good to be back.
I am a thinker. And it sometimes drives me crazy, because wouldn't it just be nice to sit and stare at the wall on occasion? I think that sounds nice. Oh well.
Anyway, I have been doing a lot of thinking since January 9th. Thinking, among other things, about what kind of mother I'd like to be.
And once I get the most important basics covered, I'd like to be the kind of mother who is always making something. And hopefully my offspring will want to make things too. Also, in the future I'm the kind of mother who is really good at sharing her nice art supplies (gulp).
Because wouldn't that be the best?
Anyway. So I've been painting for a few months now, and honestly, I wasn't sure how it was going to work at first. Babies are kind of needy, you know? So I am trying to be flexible and fit it in whenever I can, and you know what? It's actually been working out really well so far. As it turns out I CAN manage my time.
I have lots to share. Hopefully soon!
