Creating Forward // May 2023

Self Portraits

I am behind on this project. I am also going out of order. Part of the reason I have gotten behind is because I told myself it would be wrong to go out of order, but I’m going to abide by a saying my husband says to me often - done is better than perfect. Here’s to working on projects, whether or not they are perfect, and getting the momentum going again.

I recently wrote a creative exercise for Exhale, a creative community for moms (it is a *wonderful* group and if it interests you at all, check it out!). It was all about motherhood and the self portrait. It only felt appropriate to practice what I preached, and find a way to create a self portrait for the month of May.

Here you will find a variety of self portraits done by female artists. I love the variety and find it fascinating how they chose to represent themselves. I love Gentileschi’s self portrait is one of herself while painting - she was intentional about her positioning and entranced in her work. Jones’ self portrait is similar in how she is positioned painting. You will notice the symbolism in the room behind her and how those items are an important part of her identity.

This self-portrait found me. I spend countless hours here at the sink. The afternoon sunlight was pouring in just before dipping behind the tree line. I looked up from my dish washing in afternoon exhaustion and saw myself. Not thoughtfully posed or beautifully adorn. But the beauty of motherhood that happens in the dish washing was looking back at me. This ordinary moment is lovely because of the water droplets on the window, the sunlight pouring in, little pots of germinating seeds planted by my children on the window ledge. It was lovely to take a deep breath and bask in the sunlight, hands in hot soapy water. I think that’s what is most striking about it - how it makes beautiful the menial, self sacrificing acts mothers do every day.