About Studio Mothers
Whether you’re a professional painter, an unpublished novelist, or a hobbyist knitter, creative mothers are full of plans and creative dreams. But the challenges of everyday life with children, a home, and perhaps a paying job, are sometimes overwhelming. Creativity gets shoved to the bottom of the list, or lopped off altogether. Sometimes it feels like combining motherhood and creativity is an impossible proposition.
Of course it’s not impossible — just difficult, at times. For me and many others, turning dreams into reality is easier with a group of supportive friends watching your back. We benefit from a network of women who share similar challenges and success. Checking in regularly, and seeing the progress that others are making, is inspirational food for the creative soul.
Studio Mothers is a community where you can share your creative intentions and struggles — and receive support in making those goals happen. We look forward to meeting you! Don’t be shy — the more the merrier. All creatives are welcome. A number of our participants are non-mamas — and even male! Don’t forget to join in the Studio Mothers fun at Facebook and Twitter.
If you’re looking for more structured, individual attention, I’m available to you as a coach. I’m a certified creativity coach, writer and editor, and mother of five children ages 22 through 4. I started this blog in January 2008 to support the book I’m writing, A Mother’s Guide to the Creative Life, which is a practical guide to blending motherhood and creativity based on the experiences of dozens of women. A shorter, e-book version of this project, written specifically for mothers with young children, is available here.
In addition to writing and reading, I’m into photography, painting, gardening, and a variety of creative pursuits. I’m also a cat freak. I love cats. And breathing. Breathing is good.
Miranda
PS: In our earlier days, this blog was known as “Creative Construction.” So if you see references to that name in older posts, don’t be confused!
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I just found this site and I am excited about exploring it more!
great! welcome, dee!
thank you, Miranda! so nice to be here. and welcome, Dee!
So glad I found your site. Sounds like a wonderful place to get connected with other artistic moms. Thanks so much. Look forward to reading and learning more about “Studio Mothers.”
I love this and I will be visiting more often! Thank you for blogging. I hope you can take the time and read my blog if possible. I created the blog about a month ago and I relate so much to what you wrote about being a creative mom how our creativity gets put at the bottom of the list! I always try to use what I believe to be my creative talents on a day to day basis.. as a tool to keep myself sane and to show my son that things don’t always have to be so glum and boring!
http://blogaboutsomethinglady.wordpress.com/
Life is beautiful and we must live it to the max!
Best Regards,
Eve
Just found you guys on Twitter and am psyched! I am a sculptor and artist who has been a stay at home mom to two kids for the past 3 and a half years. Have started a home business and a blog and really look forward to reading your blog and getting connected to a community such as yours. It’s very important to continue our pursuits as creative people even while we change diapers! Here are my creative outlets in case you are interested.
http://www.abillionhellions.com
http://www.freakcycle.wordpress.com
I’m sending you a Kreativ Blogger Award. Go to my blog to read about the details:
http://DamianDaily.wordpress.com
WOW, I am so delighted to have found this blog! I love the vision and your quote ‘mothers are full of plans and creative dreams. ‘ so true.
I have bookmarked you, so I will be back
Shona Cole
http://shonastudio.blogspot.com/
I have just discovered this blog too, via someone (?) on twitter. Now following too and will hopefully have time to read often. I am always trying to find more time to balance my creativity with mommyhood, work, home duties, etc. Going to go channel some of that spark into Valentines now
Just found you guys on Twitter and am psyched! I am a sculptor and artist who has been a stay at home mom to two kids for the past 3 and a half years. Have started a home business and a blog and really look forward to reading your blog and getting connected to a community such as yours. It’s very important to continue our pursuits as creative people even while we change diapers! Here are my creative outlets in case you are interested.
+1
I just came across your site today-at the very time I am having lots of conflict regarding…being a mother plus taking a class, painting, wanting to open an Etsy store…It’s wonderful to be able to get support and inspiration from other working creative moms. Thanks! Soraya
Am thrilled that searching brought me to this site! I am excited to share, read stories, and grow amongst all these wonderful women (and men!) who are growing through creativity and parenting!
Welcome, new friends!
Don’t be shy about submitting a post to Studio Mothers — you’re welcome to cross-post something related to motherhood and creativity that you already posted at your own blog or elsewhere — just send us an e-mail (see link under “How to Join” at top of right sidebar).
This is right up my alley! I just started http://www.theroommom.wordpress.com, so I could post all of the different crafty things I do with my kids as well as share great books we read together (and keep up with my teaching job).
Just found you guys on Twitter and am psyched! I am a sculptor and artist who has been a stay at home mom to two kids for the past 3 and a half years. Have started a home business and a blog and really look forward to reading your blog and getting connected to a community such as yours. It’s very important to continue our pursuits as creative people even while we change diapers! Here are my creative outlets in case you are interested.+1
+1
Love the concept of this blog! I’m looking forward to reading about how other mothers balance keep their creativity alive! I can tell that I am going to get a lot of inspiration from all of you.
Thank you for following me on twitter
We look forward to hearing more from you, Meeks — thanks for the kind comment!
I just found this site, and I love the premise, voices and spirit. Creativity is so important, and I love how this supports those visions held by the ultimate creators – mothers.
Thank you so much, Ali!
I’m thrilled to have stumbled on this blog! It looks terrific and right in line with what I’m trying to do as a professional artist and mother of 7. Quite a juggle:) We mama’s need all the support we can get, especially the ever delicate balance of work and play. Looking forward to learning more…
Great to see you here, Jessica!
i am pleased to have found this site. i just began painting, and have been trying to find the best brushes for projects. do you have any suggestions?
Thanks for stopping by! The right brushes depend so much on the medium you’re using and what you’re trying to accomplish (as well as your budget). I recommend a trip to your local art store to talk to a knowledgeable salesperson about what you’re looking for.
I’m excited I found you guys! I’m a mother of two and just started a home organization business. I’m looking forward to your posts!
~Erin
So glad to see you here, Erin! Thanks for commenting — and best wishes!
Oh, this blog is sooo me. I think I’ve found a home here and am definitely following. How I wish I could be on your list but I’m one of those already squeezing in those niches of time everyday. Also, I have been reclaiming the artist in me seriously for only about three months so I consider myself just a wanna-be right now, still in the crawling stages—pun intended.
I look forward to the jolts you will inspire.
Peace,
Alexandria
Wonderful, Alexandria — when you have time, do come back and let us know how things are going — in general, and with Aunt Zelda
. xo
Hi! We’re not mothers, but we love your blog! We recently started a site with a similar message of freedom and self-expression. It’s great to find like-minded people out there.
Thank you for saying so, League of Champions! You’re doing excellent work
I have nominated you for Very Inspirational Blogger award http://theblumen-artgallery.com/
Many thanks, theblumenartgallery!
Dear Friend
I just received the Versatile Blogger Award, and one of the cool things about it is that your task upon accepting it is to pass it on to other wonderful blogs!
So you are the recipient of the Versatile Blogger Award – see your nomination here
http://dyefeltsool.com/2012/07/07/versatile-blogger-award/
Thanks for the amazing inspiration!
Beth
I’ve nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award! Check out the details here: http://lifeofministermom.wordpress.com/blog-awards/
Hi! I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award! Please read about it here: http://christinadesignsart.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/versatile-blogger-award/
Happy to have found your blog. The NaNoWriMo got me in, and I’m here to stay
. I try to write and some days ‘life’ just gets in the way, but this gives me new inspiration (might mean I’m not reading many other blogs for the rest of the month!). Thanks again, Faye
How did it go with NaNoWriNo, Being Mum?
Hi Miranda,
.
Well I got to 32000 words, so not quite the 50k but still I was pleased with my first attempt in between looking after the little man and the big man fully into Ironman training! I’m now aiming to get my young adult fiction book finished by my wedding – 30 March as I have 2 nieces from the UK coming over who are avid readers and I thought they’d be good critiques
I love your blog, it gives me lots to think about (and wishing I had more time!)
Happy New Year!
Faye
Bravo, Faye! That is a *huge* accomplishment! Well done, you
I nominated you for a super sweet blog award. You can see details here http://ahecticlife.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/super-sweet-blogging-award
What a beautiful concept for a blog. Count me in as yet another avid reader – you have me hooked already!
Thank you so much, Sindhuja!
Great blog!! As a mom, a full time worker, as well as a full time student who loves to write, paint, and explore my creative side. Never seems like enough time to do it all. Looking forward to following your posts!!!
Wonderful to have you here, heart! xo
I thing the idea of this blog is great! I am also a mom with creative ideas and I am glad to find this blog.
I am very happy that I stumbled across this blog. I am a single mother of two and dabble in pretty much any creative persuit I can sink my teeth in. I write, I paint, I do wood and stone carvings, and will be trying my hand at pottery soon. I believe that being creative helps me to keep my sanity.
Wonderful, Teresa! How are things going?
what an awesome idea – excited to check out your site more.
This site is perfect for me right now in my life, and my toddler daughter. I am eager to search some more. I love pottery, writing, reading, crafts, photography and basic sewing. I am new to blogging and am enjoying the community and opportunity to express myself. Your site is a motivation and inspiration boost. Love it!
Thank you so much, dbubble! Wonderful to have you here.
This is a wonderful blog. I wish it was around when I had my babies. Creativity can be key to saving sanity and well being in my opinion.
Quite right, crafty!
I just found this site, too. I’m finally at a place in my life where I feel the courage to truly try to push myself as an artist yet I’m also feeling a ‘baby freakout’! The timing is terrible and seems impossible. I’ll be 38 soon and my boyfriend has no interest in more kids (he has 2 from a previous marriage- they are grown). I thought I was okay with not having kids and have been feeling fired up to make this big life transition (quitting my corporate day job and going for it with making art the focus of my life). I almost wonder if it’s not self-sabotage, yet I’ve been crying my eyes out. I just don’t see how it’s possible. I’m glad to see you have created this blog because women-creatives need this support.
What a difficult place, Julie. My heart goes out to you. I’m sure you already know (at least intellectually) that many, many women have fabulously satisfying lives without kids. And when you do have a few of them, it’s hard not to see all of the amazing things that your childless counterparts are doing — enjoying major creative successes, traveling, living with freedom. Maybe it’s just a grass-is-always greener thing that is part of the human condition. If I can be of any help, or even just a sounding board, feel free to e-mail me at miranda (at) mirandahersey (dot) com. xo
Thanks much, Miranda. Definitely feeling the need for support right now!
I’m a single parent who has been trying to make a little time for creative cooking and photography. It’s not easy but so worth it. Thanks for the setting up this site. I’m at http://www.theflashcook.com. Will be returning.
Thanks for commenting, Claudia! Your blog is lovely.
Hi. I am putting you up for a Versatile Blogger award. You can find out more at my blog. Congrats to you and please keep the excellent posts coming.
http://ambitioninthecity.com/2013/04/08/the-versatile-blogger-award/
wow I just came across this blog ! what an amazing and inspiring thing you created here.
I love it.
I am also an artist and a mom (11, 8, 4) trying to juggle both
Ill continue following you !!!
Gala
Great to hear from you, Gala! Best wishes for your creative journey. xo
Hello!
I have nominated you for The Sunshine award ( hope you don’t mind ).
I enjoy reading your posts, some have motivated me and some have sparked a little more of my creativity. Those are the reasons why I think you deserve this award.
If you would like to know more about it ( or even if you already know about it ) click here http://familyeverything.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/thank-you-the-sunshine-award/
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you so much for this! I stumbled upon it as I’m preparing an exhibition of collaborative work with my five year old. Heck, I figure she would just come into my studio and scribble over everything anyway. Just wanted to say thanks so much for this resource.
JJ