Andrea: Art Making Mother

I am an artist. Being an artist is a state of mind and I am completely comfortable wearing that title. Because I am an artist, I artfully approach all aspects of the way I live. I am a mother, wife, educator, friend, sister, and daughter and each of these things contribute to my whole self and contribute to my total happiness. I believe in having dreams and achieving them without considering limitations. We live in a world of infinite possibilities and I want my children to grow with positivity and love into whatever it is they dream to be.

We can be limited by the titles that we hold if we chose to be held back. When someone looks at me and knows that I am an art teacher, society has already implanted stereotypes in our brains that some of us cannot shake. I know that there are people that think that an educator should look and act a certain way. I've met these people. We are expected to act and carry out certain duties as mother, wife, etc. I've never been one to follow all of the rules, but that doesn't mean I'm not right for the label. I'd simply rather make my own label.

I am a great educator because I love what I do and I believe in what I teach. I will continue to improve throughout my career and throughout my life. Because my heart is in the right place and because my brain can back it up, I aim for greatness on a daily basis. Educator is a title that follows me in and out of the workplace. I love to share ideas, knowledge, and creativity with my children, friends, and strangers.

Greatness as an artist is relative. Attempting to create something new and illustrate the ideas in my head will always be exciting, and my art will always change. I love to make things... I love to make everything. The way I make things today may not be the way I make art tomorrow, but tomorrow is something to look forward to.

It's great to be a woman in 2011. It's great to not be afraid to be a woman. I can do absolutely anything that my male counterparts can do and I can open any door I choose to open. Am I a great woman? In my personal world, I think I'm close... but that doesn't mean I will ever stop growing. I'm proud of who I am, of what I've accomplished, and of my relationships with the people in my life.

Being a mother is an honor and the most important responsibility one can ever take on. I cherish every moment I have with my children (even the difficult ones). I will give my children all of the love and experience I can possibly give. They will have opportunities that I didn't have and they will learn to appreciate their environment and the world around them. Greatness in motherhood is an evolution, and you'll never know if you have achieved it until your children have grown to a point that they can recognize it.

From speaking with and creating art inspired by all of these wonderful women, I have grown tremendously. My hope is that each woman has learned a bit about themselves by contemplating the questions that I presented them with. Clearly, we all have common traits, but each of us is her own unique individual self, and that is a beautiful thing. If you are comfortable and confident within your own skin, the likelihood of being limited by any of your titles decreases.

Melanie: Artist Mom in Progress

Melanie sees herself as a "work in progress" but she is truly a work of art. She is a loving and caring mother who is completely dedicated and connected to her family in a beautifully positive way. Her background in art education guides her as a mother and teacher while her children guide her opportunities to make art.

Melanie says, "I am a work in progress just like my art. I love being a stay at home mom, a wife, an artist, and teaching my girls art. I love seeing my same passion for art come out in them."

Melanie shares that there is one particular scripture that she believes in and lives by wholeheartedly:


"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"I look forward to seeing my talents develop and where God will lead me next."

Melanie's commitment to and love for her family and being a wonderful stay at home "art mom" has provided great inspiration in the creation of her portrait.

Mini Works

I have been creating these mini-works while adding to the Women Artist Educator portraits. Each piece is on a 5x7" board, and I have used them to test various media and to extend or recycle the materials I have used on any given portrait. The collection of mini-works is growing and I will display these in my exhibition in April.

An Art Show Without Shoes

The opening reception for the "Women Artist Educators" exhibit will be held on April 5, 2011: One Day Without Shoes. I hope you will join me in raising awareness, by attending my show without shoes or spending your entire day without shoes. Visit TOMS for more information.

Kathy: Artistic Nurturer

When I look at the responses that Kathy gave me to the essential Women Artist Educator questions, "I'm a nurturer to the max!!" just jumps out at me. She defines herself as a wife, mother, sister and a daughter, a teacher and a learner, a neighbor and a friend. Kathy believes in people, cares for all things and has a really optimistic view of the world in general. She gave a great list of adjectives that she would use to describe herself: trusting, loyal, faith filled, sympathetic, optimistic, strong-willed, stubborn, impatient, slightly bossy!, naive, silly, enthusiastic, rebellious, and kind.

Kathy feels blessed by all of her titles, but does feel limited in the respect that she is stretched too thin. At times this makes her feel frustrated an unsatisfied, which is natural if you are attempting to put equal amounts of energy and enthusiasm into all of the things we must do as women. It is important to prioritize these roles.

As an educator, Kathy is comfortable in the classroom and values the opportunities that she has to share Art experiences with her students. She is passionate about teaching Art and the creative process. She believes in a safe and nurturing environment for her students, and shows them respect and gives them infinite encouragement.

As an artist, Kathy feels fortunate to be able to create. She has had incredible teachers who have imparted vast technical knowledge, as well as significant life experiences which provide artistic inspiration.

When asked what makes her a great woman, Kathy answers that a great woman is strong, intelligent, kind and generous. "She is someone that has a purpose and believes in herself. She is someone that gives of herself for the betterment of others. She is confident and compassionate. I'm not sure that I'm any of these things, but I am, at the very least, aspiring to be!"

Kathy sent me some beautiful photos of her family, children, and pets, and home. She shared with me that the Serenity Prayer was significant to her and was something that is incorporated into her portrait.

Mickey: Dedicated Artist, Talented Educator

Mickey is so much fun, yet so even tempered. She has a clear sense of who she is and what she needs to do. Not only is she an accomplished art educator, but she is an incredible artist. It's clear that Mickey loves life and loves what she does. She answered the "Women Artist Educator" questions on a hand written sheet, and her answers are so great that I do not want to edit them at all.

How do you define yourself?
"As a creative person, love people (all kinds), animal lover. I have a positive outlook; almost always happy. I am a good friend."
What makes you unique?
"I think everyone is unique. I would say (if I have to) my personality, because I think that is what defines a person."
Do you feel limited by any of your titles?
"Yes. I love teaching but I have NO time for my own art. When the children were young I had no time and now they are gone and work occupies my time."

Mickey brings up the issue of time. So many of these women artist educators wear many hats. It truly is a balancing act for some to be able to work, and mother, and make art.. not to mention be a wife, sister, friend, or just be.

What about you makes you a great educator?
"I guess because I love art and I love children, and I want us all to be the best we can be. I try to learn all the time, whether it be from people, children, books, internet, etc. I have to be a lifetime learner to be a good teacher."

What about you makes you a great artist?
"I think I paint what I feel. I believe I can see things that others can't (some times), like color in white, etc. I love to let my mind take over when I do art. It just happens. Art is my life, always has been. It is who I am, I guess."

What about you makes you a great woman?
"I am always willing to learn and listen. My cup is always half-full."

Mickey sent me some photos of her family (husband, children, pets), to use in her portrait. She also shared a quote that was meaningful to her, which is included in the work. More than anything, her positive energy has been a driving force as I create her "Woman Artist Educator" portrait.

Amanda: Funky Art Mom

Amanda is eccentric, and quirky, and fantastically artsy. She puts off a great positive energy, and believes that the way our characteristics and personality traits combine is what makes each of us unique. Amanda embraces her labels of daughter, mother, teacher, lover, student, friend, and artist, but confesses that being a "teacher" does limit her freedom of expression. In her eyes, subscribing to the stereotypical teacher characteristics, affords her the opportunity to teach a subject that she is passionate about.

Amanda's love of art and teaching...and again, her positivity, are what make her a successful educator. You cannot be a great educator if you do not have a love and passion for the subject matter and for the profession. She shares that being a great artist means something different to each artist and each viewer. In her words: "I believe that every artist has a bit of a God complex. We create. We take from what we are and we form a new thing. For me, I put myself into my art and send it out, hoping it is meaningful enough that the viewers are drawn to it. I want the viewers to form a relationship, to see a meaning. I don't care if it is the meaning I, myself, assigned to it. If it is strong enough to have meaning to a viewer, then it is alive. Alive as an artwork and I, in turn, have created that life. That, to me, is what makes a great artist and I hope I have achieved that, but it is really the viewer that is the judge."

With the right mindset, good energy, and dedication a woman/artist/educator can make tremendous accomplishments. Amanda illustrates this in her life, work, and art.