#artmomproject

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“Being a mom has changed my world drastically. I’m so used to never being home, being selfish, living reckless and free accordingly. Now everything is different. I have to plan ahead if I plan to go anywhere, to secure a babysitter. I’m not a God, I’m human. There is so much to learn and master. Becoming a mother didn’t transform me into this perfect person who knows what to do all the time, though some things are just innate. I am constantly learning patience and working to be better everyday. There’s a lil human who relies on me for everything. Who loves me more than anyone. I can be ugly, hair crazy, bummy or crying my eyes out and [he’ll] love me the same. He loves me just for me. For once I don’t have a pressure about how long this love will last. It’s the most pure and something I’ve never known. I say this love inspires my creativity more. I have to show my son that nothing is impossible. Life is known to get rough and drag you by your heart and feet sometimes, but being able to bounce back and remain focus is a super power. Mommy’s ya hero Plat. Thank you for choosing me and trusting my crazy ass to guide you in this lifetime. —Tues, @tuesday.blkgrl #artmomproject

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Beautiful, creative mama @tajajanel and her baby Imma in her jewelry brand @prasadavintage. “Prasada Vintage introduces a signature approach to jewelry making by using high-quality materials such as gold, ancient brass, and sterling silver seamlessly beaded alongside precious gemstones. This wearable, everyday jewelry for both men and women tells a story and carries a unique vibration.”

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“I definitely feel that since having children, I have become more passionate about pushing the limits of my creativity - finding new avenues to express myself. The challenge I have found, though, is there never seems to be enough time to devote to doing that. Balancing being a mom, working and then creating on the side has been a struggle. I’m an introvert and I always look to creative outlets and alone time to help me reset emotionally and mentally (alone time which happens to be extremely scarce these days). The irony is that I happen to be a mama to two very social children who thrive from constant interaction. I’m four years into motherhood and still searching for that perfect balance.” — Teri, @candidlyteri #artmomproject

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“Motherhood is a beautiful gift. Although I’m not a mom, I appreciate and give praise to moms because I know it takes a lot of energy and love to raise a child. I see and have seen what it takes to be a mother while also taking care of oneself. Moms are truly superheroes 🙌🏾 Free flow Illustration of author, storyteller, and mother @alex_elle ✨” — Artwork & words by Jamilla, @vivaillajams #artmomproject #visualart #watercolor

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JULY THEME: MENTAL FORTITUDE

Mental health is something that needs to be discussed more frequently; we're figuring this out every day. But what about the mental health of moms? That's like a whole other way of thinking. There’s so much trauma that your body endures while bringing a new life into the world and we’re expected to just go back to our normal routine pre-pregnancy? How does that make any sense? Lol. We need time, space, and proper healing. Mother’s are strong, no doubt about it, but our super powers often are overlooked. Which is why this month we are focusing on Mental Fortitude.

So, what is Mental Fortitude? 

Dictionary Definition: Also known as “mental toughness”; mental strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously. 

Art Mom project Definition: A vital (and most of the time instinctual) mindset that all moms must have to survive motherhood. It’s apart of what makes us resilient and amazing super-women.

It is up to us to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves. We have so much at stake; it’s not just about us anymore. Although postpartum depression is real, so is that new baby looking up to you for guidance. You have to be strong! Even if that means holding in your cries until baby is sleep. Or being able to go breathe and write down your feelings when you are able to receive that helping hand you’ve been waiting for. 

Mom life is super demanding, but we make it work because we have to. Who else is tired of hearing, “how do you do it???!” *raises hand*

So how are you doing it? How have you built mental fortitude? What helps you take on the day?

All mediums accepted. Please send artwork and description/stories to [email protected] with the subject “JULY THEME - YOUR NAME - YOUR ART MEDIUM”

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“I received a lot of love of friends and family but also received a lot of unfortunate negative energy— “you shouldn’t have the baby.” Imagine. Even if I wanted to prove them wrong, it would have been a decision made out of ego and selfishness, and that is unfair to my baby and to my well, almost boyfriend. Chris, if you’re reading this, hi — let’s watch The Office tonight. The journey truly began when we decided to walk out of Planned Parenthood and straight to In N Out. We got a double-double, because it was a celebration of the rest of our lives. Our love and our relationship with my womb slow-cooked over months and months of labor, survival, “figuring-it-out-as-we-go,” and expensive medical bills. When she was born, our love grew so intensely towards our baby Milo, and towards our life partnership.” 🍓🍋 More from my @polaroidoriginals essay #artmomproject

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“Part of doing these drawings of mothers is to start conversations about pregnancy and self image. Its so comforting to me seeing all the posts from mother's I follow, during and after their pregnancies. Women who post saying how their self image is affected and how they care for their children are so valuable. Being pregnant has completely flipped how I look at my body. I used to be focused on beauty standards and desirability trying to celebrate my sensuality without feeling like it was being judged. Now I see an incredible adaptable home that is growing a human and that was made for nurture and love". — Julie, @joolsannie (Visual Artist) #artmomproject

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“Since becoming a mom four years ago I have struggled with loving my body. It’s so easy to become a victim to self loathing when everywhere you turn the world is forcing its ideas of beauty down your throat. These days it’s all about the “snap back”. My first pregnancy I was on bed rest and after giving birth I was thirty pounds heavier than my pre-baby body. I didn’t snap back...I see-sawed between losing and gaining weight for a couple of years until I got pregnant with baby number two. I landed on bed rest again but this time after delivery my weight dropped drastically. I’ve been terrified of people seeing my tummy. Finally, I’m falling in love with my new figure. These marks came from my body growing two babies beyond what my frame was prepared for; this hernia and diastasis recti is from one of those babies sitting sideways then breeched then back sideways right up to the minute he was born. I might not be 2013 Teri anymore but maybe 2018 Teri is better - mushy stretch marked tummy, dark eye circles and all. There's nothing wrong with drooling over ‪Teyana Taylor‬ or ‪Beyoncé‬ snap back but how about we put a little more of our 'real' onto our timelines?” — Terri (Photographer) #artmomproject