Monday, February 7, 2011

Being a Mom and Artist


I always took art for granted.  I always knew I could do it whenever I wanted.  Even if I didn't do something creative for myself, I was an art teacher so I helped my students with their art everyday.  When I had a baby, things changed.  I was not able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.  It helped me become less selfish.  However, I started to go into withdrawal without my daily art fixes.  Whenever "I" would sleep I would do a quick sketch (hence the revival of my 10 minute sketches which I still have trouble getting done!)  I finally figured out a way to get in an extra hour of art a day.  It is short and sometimes gets interrupted, but at least it is better than nothing!
There is this great interview with one of my favorite bloggers and artists,  Rosa Murillo   in which she talks about having children and working art into her life.  I loved how in the interview she says she is a mother first and then an artist.  She says that she is the most important teacher for her kids and I couldn't agree more!  I am so excited to share with little "I" all of my experiences I have had with art and to do creative projects together with her!  Rosa talks about how her and her children do lots of art together and it just made me so excited for when "I" is old enough to do art:)
For all of you artists and mothers out there, how did you fit art into your lives again after having a baby? What tricks and techniques did you do?  

2 comments:

Erika Lee @ A Tiny Rocket said...

Unfortunatly I don't have children but I have dogs. :) My husband and I are extremely creative and always making things, and the most common question is how do you find the time or do you sleep? lol. I think if you make it a priority even if it's 20 minutes to dedicate to yourself and what you make- art will happen

I read another blog that her blog is her journey of her and her son's art about how they make paintings together.

belinda marshall said...

it is so great to draw/paint and make with the kids!! i'm always amazed by what they can do.
it gets easier once they start having a 2hour block of sleep during the day. it takes a bit of discipline to keep away from all the other stuff that needs to be done, but i think the art making takes care of everything else!! :)