RENAISSANCE

For nearly a decade, I have stayed home from work to raise my three children. 

I feel so grateful to have had this opportunity-- to have the chance to be present and available for such a large part of these three little lives. The value is immeasurable. But if I'm being honest, this has also been a very challenging season for me. The physical and emotional energy that I pour into these children comes from my cup, leaving such a small amount for any personal aspirations. Now our kids are getting bigger, and all three of them are in school full-time. And while they will always require an endless amount of love and energy, for the first time in many years, I now have dedicated time for myself.
  
This past year has been a true renaissance period, as I am growing and flourishing and coming back to a person whom I have missed, dearly. I have been painting from reference photographs, 
and I have chosen pictures that radiate emotion and authentically illustrate the journey of motherhood. I hope the audience will take a moment to appreciate the dichotomy between the beauty and the sacrifice of childrearing as seen through the lens of a mother's personal identity.