I’ve always felt passionate about creating work for yourself. Personal projects are what fill my soul. The idea for this project hit me hard one night as I was trying to fall asleep. Once it hit, I couldn’t fall asleep. Many ideas flooded into my mind and the search for Oklahoma City based artist mothers started.
I’ve always been inspired by other creatives. Since having children of my own, I’ve been particularly drawn to mothers who create. If we’re being completely honest, motherhood is draining and exhausting. As mothers, we give, and give some more until there’s little left for ourselves. Since experiencing this in my own life, I’ve found when I leave time for myself to photograph I’m able to find more joy, fulfillment, and grace for myself and children. But finding that time is definitely easier said than done! I chatted with Rachel of Rea Embroidery Co (and mama to sweet little Marly!) about her reason for creating and how she finds balance, fulfillment, and joy in creating during this busy time of her life.
“Something they don’t talk about before having a baby is how much you change as a person and the struggles you can encounter while finding a way to accept this new identity. A little over a year after having my daughter, I was ready to do something for myself. So I signed up for an embroidery class, something I’d never done before. I never thought of myself as an artistic person, but I always envied those who were. This class changed my life. Embroidery has been incredibly rewarding and therapeutic throughout this last year. It has pulled me away from social media, which as we all know can have a huge negative affect on your mental and emotional status, especially after becoming a mom. Seeing all these put together moms out there made me feel like I was a failure in some way. My house was never perfect, I wore sweatpants nearly every day and the bags under my eyes could be seen a mile away. I began to love my life with this new identity of “mama”, and wanted to be creative around my daughter, in hopes that she will have a creative, therapeutic outlet as well.
Working on a single hoop can take me several days. I try to get a few stitches in while my daughter is awake and playing although before long, she wants to help mama with my “pretty”, as she would call it. I get most of my work done during nap time or after she has gone to bed, sometimes just trying to avoid laundry or dishes (whoops, wife of the year over here lol).
I am learning to love the new me.
I wanted to focus on finding things I love to do and getting new hobby’s while going outside my comfort zone and the benefits have been amazing. I’ve been able to create so many gifts for newly married couples, new home owners, Mothers, and friends, and just knowing I’m creating some happiness for another person warms my soul so much.”
I can’t thank Rachel enough for allowing me to come into her home and for being so open in sharing her thoughts. I look forward to seeing where this project takes me. If you know any artist mamas in the Oklahoma City area who would like to be photographed, send them my way!
