Toddler eating mango at my easel art life artist kitchen family painting acrylic painting beach australia landscape seascape

My studio is now his nursery. I now have two loves (...and my husband lol)

I've just applied for an award created for parents who are also artists or writers. Or perhaps it's for artists or writers who are also parents...this will be my last blog post (probably) about the juggle of parenthood and creativity/starting a business because I have other way more interesting things to talk about. :-) Below is the final part of my application. It's a bio, a description of how I came to be a working artist and how having a child has inspired and challenged my art and self. If there's one bit you read, make it the last paragraph.

Sustainable Art Fund Award info

Toddler eating mango at my easel art life artist kitchen family painting acrylic painting beach australia landscape seascape

While I was on maternity leave, I decided to make a career out of my love of painting. After moving to Australia from Britain in 2014, I worked for three years as a teacher assistant at the local Special Developmental School. I was free to paint every afternoon, but it took having a baby to give me the motivation and courage to pursue my dream of an artistic career.

My son is now two years old. He is fun and fast and in the time it would take to stand my easel up he would have asked to play, grabbed my jeans to pull me away, knocked over the easel or all of the above. When he was a baby, he was not easy. Due to reflux, he cried and vomited and would scream if he was put down, so painting next to him as he gurgled on a floor mat was not possible, nor was painting during naps as he’d only sleep on me and for 20-40 minutes at a time. We don’t have any family support.

So, despite the decision to commit to art, I barely painted during his first year.

Then there was daycare. He attends three days a week and I get to release my energies onto the canvas. He seems happy with this. For me I just wish I could have two lives: one how it is, but with a bit less ‘daycare guilt’; and one where I can paint more, not being constrained by drop off and pick up.

Currently I also work on my business – painting, online marketing, framing prints, etc. at night to achieve all I want to and still there’s not enough time.

Another small challenge is that my studio is now his bedroom. I work in the garage next to the garden tools and bikes. The car has been relegated to the driveway. During winter days I move my equipment into the kitchen.

One thing I’ve recently picked up again is volunteering at Warrnambool’s community run arts precinct, The F Project. I help behind the desk and I’m on the shop sub-committee. Before my son was born, I was the Vice President. I find volunteering incredibly rewarding and I hope to demonstrate the power of giving and kindness to my son so he will one day give back to his community.

I hope that my son will be proud of me because I have followed my dream and I want that to be an example to him: that anything is possible and you should always give it a go. I’d love for him to see me painting, and to grow up creating, feeding that essential part of himself. Being a parent definitely challenges my artistic career, but it’s a dynamic and exhilarating journey and I wouldn't have it an other way (unless there was a way to clone myself).

Back to blog

695 comments

I promised Great Dr. Odunga to post this testimony and I really want to say “Thank You” to everyone who supported me through the years. My name is Manuel Franco, New Berlin, Wisconsin. My story of how I won the Powerball lottery of $768.4M is a bit of a tale. I was feeling very lucky that day because I had contacted Great Odunga to help me with the winning Powerball numbers. I really had that great great feeling that I looked at the camera wanting to wink at it. I only did a tiny part of it when he told me he would give me the numbers and trusted him. He gave me the numbers after I played a couple other tickets along with it for $10. I checked my ticket after the winnings came online and saw the numbers were correct including the Power play. I screamed for about 10 minutes because it felt like a dream coming into reality. I had won $768.4M. Thank you Great Odunga. Well, his email is odungaspelltemple@gmail.com You can also call or Whats-app him at +2348167159012 so you guys can contact him
Manuel Franco

Bitcoin Recovery Testimonial

After falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam group, I lost $354,000 worth of USDT. I thought all hope was lost from the experience of losing my hard-earned money to scammers. I was devastated and believed there was no way to recover my funds. Fortunately, I started searching for help to recover my stolen funds and I came across a lot of testimonials online about Capital Crypto Recovery, an agent who helps in recovery of lost bitcoin funds, I contacted Capital Crypto Recover Service, and with their expertise, they successfully traced and recovered my stolen assets.

Their team was professional, kept me updated throughout the process, and demonstrated a deep understanding of blockchain transactions and recovery protocols. They are trusted and very reliable with a 100% successful rate record Recovery bitcoin, I’m grateful for their help and highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with lost crypto.

Contact: Capitalcryptorecover@zohomail.com
Phone CALL/Text Number: +1 (336) 390-6684
Email: Recoverycapital@fastservice.com
Website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1

Marcus Henderson

Hire a Trusted Cryptocurrency Recovery Expert – Alpha Recovery Experts

When my assets were stolen by a fraudulent online platform, I was fortunate enough to discover ALPHA RECOVERY EXPERTS Amidst my search for solutions who was able to recover my lost assets and regain my financial footing. The professionalism displayed by their team instilled confidence during the challenging time. Thanks to them, I was able to regain my lost assets and feel secure again. If you find yourself facing similar challenges or want to learn more about safeguarding your finances against fraudsters, consider reaching out to ALPHA RECOVERY EXPERTS for professional recovery guidance today.

SMS: +44(745, 742 (4681
Email; Alpharecoveryexpert@consultant.com

Noel Turner

How To Recover Your Bitcoin Without Falling Victim To Scams: A  Testimony Experience With Capital Crypto Recover Services, Contact Telegram: @Capitalcryptorecover

Dear Everyone,

I would like to take a moment to share my positive experience with Capital Crypto Recover Services. Initially, I was unsure if it would be possible to recover my stolen bitcoins. However, with their expertise and professionalism, I was able to fully recover my funds. Unfortunately, many individuals fall victim to scams in the cryptocurrency space, especially those involving fraudulent investment platforms. However, I advise caution, as not all recovery services are legitimate. I personally lost $273,000 worth of Bitcoin from my Binance account due to a deceptive platform. If you have suffered a similar loss, you may be considering crypto recovery, The Capital Crypto Recover is the most knowledgeable and effective Capital Crypto Recovery Services assisted me in recovering my stolen funds within 24 hours, after getting access to my wallet. Their service was not only prompt but also highly professional and effective, and many recovery services may not be trustworthy. Therefore, I highly recommend Capital Crypto Recover to you. i do always research and see reviews about their service, For assistance finding your misplaced cryptocurrency, get in touch with them, They do their jobs quickly and excellently, Stay safe and vigilant in the crypto world. Contact: Recoverycapital@fastservice.com  You can reach them via email at Capitalcryptorecover@zohomail.com OR Call/Text Number +1 (336)390-6684 his contact website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1

Patricia Lovick

Hello, friends and readers! It is amazing how quickly Dr. Excellent brought my husband back to me. My name is Heather Delaney. I married the love of my life Riley on 10/02/15 and we now have two beautiful girls Abby & Erin, who are conjoined twins, that were born 07/24/16. My husband left me and moved to be with another woman. I felt my life was over and my kids thought they would never see their father again. I tried to be strong just for the kids but I could not control the pains that tormented my heart, my heart was filled with sorrows and pains because I was really in love with my husband. I have tried many options but he did not come back, until i met a friend that directed me to Dr. Excellent a spell caster, who helped me to bring back my husband after 11hours. Me and my husband are living happily together again, This man is powerful, contact Dr. Excellent if you are passing through any difficulty in life or having troubles in your marriage or relationship, he is capable of making things right for you. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best spell caster. Here his contact. Call/WhatsApp him at: +2348084273514 "Or email him at: Excellentspellcaster@gmail.com ,For more information visit his website:https://drexcellentspellcaster.godaddysites.com

Heather Delaney

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.