A 2023 COLLECTION OF COLOR (OR MOMENT) STUDIES. CAPTURING THE COLORS OF A MOMENT. to embark on FINDING WONDER IN THE MUNDANE.
I dreamed of being a mother my whole life and here I am in the thick of raising two babies — trying to make sense of how seemingly difficult and beautiful it can be all at the same time. How is it possible that within I can cry from weakness one minute and cry from overflowing thankfulness the next?
Originally these strokes were meant to represent time. Every stroke is methodical but unique, like the day of a parent can feel. But if I want to teach my kids how to find wonder in the doldrums of the day, then I first must practice that. This collection is another way I’m trying to bottle up this wondrous season of life. To hold the tears instead of quickly wiping them away. To be thankful for the loud mess, instead of wishing for a cleaner house.
This collection evolved just like our year did. A year full of interruptions made my time in the studio more sparse than ever. Somehow though, I kept coming back to this collection because the very nature of it is created to feel broken up, a stroke a day in a sense. Every time I came back to these colors, I came back to lay down another moment in time I never want to forget. How many hues of green can capture the feeling of making clover crowns with my daughter? How dark indigo can represent the 100 prayers I’ve whispered, with nothing but the weight of his soft head on my chest and the moonlight peeking through the window. How she can stand in that yellow dress on the windowsill peering at the world of possibility, reminding me to do the same.
Each title is a nod to the moment it was painted for, to capture the moment/emotion as best as I could with color. One of the most magical things about parenthood is how it forces you to get in touch with your inner child, to play and explore the world again. If you slow down enough, it feels like a second childhood. Whether you are a parent or not, I hope that the titles, colors and simplicity of this collection reminds you of something from your own childhood.
“Grass Stains in Eden” I like to imagine the first children of the earth played and played. Everything has changed, but childhood remains the same. Play so hard you get grass stains.
“A Windowsill to Stand On” She likes to stand in that yellow dress (the one she has wanted to wear every day for a year) on the windowsill peering at the world of possibility, reminding me to do the same. Tiptoed and expectant.
“Clover Crowns” How many hues of green can capture the feeling of making clover crowns with my daughter? A beloved activity from my own childhood.
“Moonlit Prayers” How dark indigo can depict the 100 prayers I’ve whispered, with nothing but the weight of his soft head on my chest and the moonlight peeking through the window.
“One More Song” Any parent can probably relate to their child wishing for one more lullaby, one more book, and lingering kisses at the end of the day. “One more song” is code for “more of you”.
“Just Happy to Be Here” This is the first piece I did in the collection, the most experimental. Created shortly after my son was born and when anyone would meet him I would say “he’s just happy to be here” to describe his joyful contentment.
“You’re Always On My Mind” This one is self explanatory. ;)
“Rainbow Sprinkles” Everything is better with rainbow sprinkles. You can have them on your birthday or on a Tuesday morning bagel like my daughter prefers.
“Strawberries” A staple in our home. The quick fixer of hanger after nap time.
“What’s the Rush” If I could pick one superhero power, it would be to slow down time when I want to. To live in a moment longer than time allows it to.