A couple years ago I was asked by a friend, what does motherhood look like? And my first sculptural reflection was of a giant beast trying to give birth trapped in a tiny box. It reflected much of the desperateness I felt for the first 4 years of being a mom of two, struggling with postpartum depression.  But that sculpture didn't reflect the growth and wonder that I also experienced spending every day with such small beings... So I began again. 

For the second sculptural attempt at answering what does motherhood look like ? I made Asleep in the Boat. I made a mother tucked into her own cradle, an awkward exhausted mother, a mother wanting to be cared for, a mother collaborating with rest in order to participate fully in the power of creating new life. 

This piece was honest to many of the ever-present aspects of motherhood as I experienced it; of deep struggle and isolation, fear and becoming, awkward unknowing and awe in the deep intimacy and love in caring for someone. All of this held in the gently rocking movement of a cradle.

The pandemic has seemingly put me back in the cradle this year.  Much like the lullaby Rock-a-bye-baby it has held me gently, allowing sweet time with myself, and my family, but with it I also constantly feel like I am the baby, falling cradle and all...

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