A Week of Mothers – Day 4
May 8, 2009
Wrapping up the artist interviews this week is my friend Raya Carlisle, the creative mind behind the blog The Paper Pony. Out of all my blogging friends interviewed, Raya is the only one I actually know in person, so I can tell you that she is every bit as beautiful as her work is!
Describe to us your work:
I’m a wedding photographer by profession, but love all types of art: painting, drawing, collaging, sewing, design…I could just make things all day.
I’ve learned that being a stay-at-home mom and business owner/artist does not have to be mutually exclusive. How do you maintain a balance between the two?
Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking when they hear a child screaming (always out of joy, of course, ha) and a dog barking in the background. I talk a lot about staying at home with Baker and just try to make it part of my story. Thankfully I’m in an industry where it’s all about connecting on a personal level with my clients so I think they can appreciate that I’m a mom first and photographer second.
I think we all have our thing we do to relax and bring us back to center. For me it’s theraputic to sit and cut paper for an hour : )
We as mom’s are always producing: a clean home, food for our families, fun activities for our kids, so for me to have some time to produce for myself is so refreshing and I crave it. I’ve have definitely thought about quitting my photography business on those days where I just don’t know how I’m going to get those photos edited or answer those emails, but then I go shoot a wedding and I get a renewed sense of fulfillment and confidence from doing something I’m good at and that I love.
I have to say Baker has some sweet dance moves for a 15 month old. The boy’s got rhythm already!
I told my husband all I want — all I want for reals — is just a day to go shop around and hang out by myself. For some reason I love shopping aloneand this is the thing I’ve given up most since having a baby. I want to go to the Americana at Brand in Glendale and spend hours in H&M, then eat some Pinkberry.
Thank you for sharing Raya!
(All images by Raya Carlisle)
Week of Mothers – Day 2
May 6, 2009
A new day, and another lovely mother and artist to interview. If you haven’t already been acquainted with her, let me introduce you to Melissa Esplin of the fabulous blog IS-LY!
I’m kind of a painter/designer/bookbinder/seamstress/photographer. At least those are all the things I really enjoy.
The transition to motherhood was pretty difficult for me, there was so much unstructured time and jobs that have to be done and redone (like diapering, bathing, feeding, etc). I felt so depressed, like I wasn’t really contributing. As soon as I got back into my interests and included those interests in motherhood I felt more complete and happy. Creativity is meant to be shared and I’ve had a lot of fun creating things for my little girl.
I’m not sure that I create a balance at all between the two, but I do make sure that I get enough creative time that I feel productive, but also make sure that my little girl is happy and is cared for. Which pretty much means that I do all of my work when the little babe is asleep or the husband is home.
I hope that Penelope learns to be creative and pursue the things that she loves most. I always saw my mom making things and going to great lengths to make us feel special, I hope she can glean those same things from me.
Penelope is a dancer and has been from the get go. Since day one she’s rolled her ankles and pointed her toes. Now that she’s a little older (12 months) she does shoulder shrugs, chest bumps and hip thrusts all to the beat of music. It’s absolutely adorable.
I told Chris I don’t want anything for mother’s day besides a card and him in the kitchen. However, I also secretly want a temple print by Cameron Moll . ;)
A Week of Mothers – Day 1
May 5, 2009
First up in our week of interviews is Rubyellen Bratcher, the creative mind behind Cakies. Welcome, Rubyellen!
Describe what you do as an artist.
There are lots of things I like to make and lots of things I wish I had time to make. Though with the time I do have, I make wool felt crowns for children and felt hair accessories for girls and mamas. On occasion, I will offer what I like to call “once-in-awhiles ” in my shop, which may consist of bags or dolls. This allows me the opportunity to break from the norm and make other fun things and offer it to everyone!
Motherhood is a full-time job and then some. What keeps you inspired and motivated to create?
This will probably sound like a cliche, but my girls are my biggest inspiration to keep creating. Since, I am a SAHM (or I guess you can say a WAHM), I am constantly trying to come up with new ideas to make for and with them. I love engaging them creatively and they are just as excited about making something as I am. Another thing is that I have a big shopping bug, but not the budget to fund it, thus I love sewing and making “new” things for my girls that way. I also find inspiration from lots of other super duper lovely blogs, it helps keep me dreaming up ideas.
I’ve learned that being a stay-at-home mom and business owner/artist does not have to be mutually exclusive. How do you maintain a balance between the two?
Balance is getting harder for me these days. Nap times were my times to work, but with True’s naps down to one a day, getting work in has been much harder. Thankfully, my husband and I have been figuring out ways to give me work days, where he will watch the girls for a day and leave me with some uninterrupted work time. I think the key is to enjoy what you are doing and thankfully I do. It is also important for me to make “other” things that I don’t sell. This really keeps things fresh for me and allows me to the drive to keep the business owner/artist part of me going, but my number priority will always be mom.
As an artist, what do you hope to pass on to your children?
The ability to dream. I think the biggest part of being an artist, which I think odd to think of myself in that way, is the ability to dream. I get such satisfaction from thinking up an idea, following through with it and seeing a final product. It feels good to see something that was in your head become real.
True draws very well, at least I think so, but I don’t have many kids to compare her to, so I don’t know what normal is. She sees things in shapes and when we are out and about she will point out all the shapes. Then, later in her sketchbook, she will put together those shapes to make a picture. Her drawings seem to be good for a three year old. And my Brave, well, she can eat…a lot. She then manages to make the most amazing abstract paintings of her food on her bib. I am sure she will continue to perfect this art as she grows.
And lastly, what do you wish for this mother’s day?
I would really like some Bewitched magic, so that my house would be clean in a twitch of my nose or I guess a painting done by Ben and my girls (I think handmade gifts are the best) or a vintage locket will do (and a trip to the flea market). Am I allowed to have more than one wish? (Of course!!)
Thank you Rubyellen!
A Week of Mothers
May 5, 2009
Mother’s Day is right around the corner! So this week, I thought it would be fun to interview some of my favorite bloggers, and have them share a few thoughts on being both a mother and a creative. I’ve had the chance to befriend these fellow moms via the internet, and am continually amazed by their creativity and savviness.
Make sure to scroll down, as I will be adding in a new interview each day this week. I hope you enjoy what they have to share, and are inspired by this talented group of ladies as much as I am!
