When people stop into my studio, they're often surprised that I have a 7 month old. It's an easy point of conversation... When she's with me, they may hear her squeal, watch her frustrated attempts at crawling, or try to get her to smile {in return, they usually get a staredown and a slight smirk}. They ask questions about juggling motherhood and a studio practice, we swap cute kids stories and we part ways knowing just a little more about eachother.
Before I signed the lease on my current studio, I met with 3 working artist-moms to hear their stories. I scoured the internet to find other examples of studio set ups that were simultaneously kid-friendly and conducive to creative productivity. So in hopes of encouraging other women out there, here's a peek into my studio and a window into the messy, never-goes-as-planned, wonderfully ordinary stuff of motherhood.
Practically speaking, the space is divided into 4 different "zones" to help me stay organized. 1- entry gallery + retail zone, 2 - encaustic work + teaching zone, 3 - business / admin zone (desk and shelves), 4 - kids play zone (flex space, but currently includes a pack n play, crates with toys and books, and some blankets and pillows tossed on the floor).
Most weeks, to-do lists get misplaced or forgotten about, laundry, dishes and diapers pile up quicker than I can stay on top of, and carving out a chunk of un-interrupted time to do much else seems laughable. And that's ok. No, really. It's ok.
A note to other moms out there (be it working artists, stay-at-home moms, or those with a 9-5 job)--
give yourself a break. Keep at it. Stay strong. Find friends who will love you, never tire of your endless kids pictures and stories, text you often to remind you that you're not alone, and who will be your advocate through thick and thin. Entrust your child, your (in)competencies and your whole life to the loving grace found only in Christ.
And remind yourself daily that the work you are doing as a mother has never been more meaningful, more relevant or more important than right now.
