Mothering

The Host (1st Piece in the Set)

She comes to a creature who is holding and protecting a luminous energy within her body. 

Her body stretches, bends, contorts, shapeshifts. 

The creature is giving her all to provide for this energy. There is a sense of danger and urgency.

Artist’s Insight

This image communicates some of my emotional experience when I couldn’t protect my son from his premature birth.

In composing this image I designed the creature’s skin to pull tightly from the limbs and appendages as they wrap around the glowing sphere. There is a juxtaposition between the slightly grotesque form and the soft curved movements that are found in the back and mid ground.

The curved marks reference body tissue that is thin and fragile, emoting danger to the womb and the luminous life within. This tightly wound creature symbolizes a mother’s body which gives the infant blood, nutrients, warmth, and shelter while in the womb.

Mother Tree (2nd Piece in the Set)

The central character continues on and sees in the distance more incandescent energy, now cradled in the arms and roots of the mother tree.

Artist’s Insight

In the background I drew the trees as arches referencing shelter, majesty, and power. To me, trees symbolize mothers, producing offspring through seeds, pollen, suckers, and offshoots. 

Embracing (3rd Piece in the Set)

The character moves and feels a tender presence. 

She sees the presence embracing three lights. 

This presence is also mother, and her strength is all around.

Letting Go (4th Piece in the Set)

The mother is holding her tiny glowing orbs.

Before she bids them farewell, she first draws a green circle of protection around them.