Painting For The First Time Since Giving Birth

I’ve missed you! Two months ago I gave birth to my baby boy and today is my first time painting since giving birth. I feel ready and am so excited to paint again.

My studio felt uninspiring to me so I printed off some photos that I’m drawn to and hung them up. Once I start creating more of my new art. I feel like my space will feel more like me and inspiring.

My oil painting palettes are old and haven’t been cleaned for a few years (I know terrible!) so I found a 16x20 glass from an old frame and made it into a fresh new palette.

I have some exciting news for you. Before having my baby I enrolled back into art school. Not the traditional art school, but an online one - the Mastery program from Milan Art Institute.

I was over ambitious thinking I’d have time for it after having a baby, but it’s ok because it’s self paced and I have forever access. I’ll work on it when I have the time.

This painting is for the oil painting section of that program. We’re learning about how the masters painted - with a subtractive first layer and glazing. To be honest I don’t really know what I’m doing with this painting but it’s a learning experience! I’m already learning so much more about oils and color theory than I did where I went to art school in college.

I ended up not being able to paint much that day which is okay. So throughout the next few days I tried to steal any time during Rowan’s naps I could to paint.

I’m definitely putting into practice what I preach all the time to other artists on making time for art. One of the big things I’m doing is to stop doing meaningless things like scrolling Instagram or watching hours of Netflix.

 I’ve also dedicated days to making art. Some days I dedicate to housework during naps and the other days to making art. This helps me be more creative and inspired when I make art. If I mop the floors and paint in the same day I feel like I’m just not as focused on my art or creative.

Once Rowan sleeps better at night I’ll definitely be staying up in the evening to paint too. But right now I am so tired I usually go to bed when he does at like 9pm.

If you’re a mom too it’s nice to know we’re not alone in finding time again for our creative passion. Let me know in the comments if you’re also a mom or caretaker of someone and how you like to find time to create.

My son will always come before my art, but when I do have the time and energy I will create. I sometimes felt guilty painting, that I should clean my house instead or snuggle with Rowan as he naps, to spend all the time I can with him. But We need to remember that making art benefits our mental health and that it’s important to still do what we love. We’re still who we were before having babies, we’re still artists. It’s easy to lose sight of that and forget who we were. So if you struggle with this too, know you’re not alone. 

As we raise little humans it’s important for them to see us pursue our passions and to share our passions with them.