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After seeing anatomical illustrations of the human mammary gland, I visualized the structures becoming a flower with a stem-like flow of milk. In my early days of motherhood and breastfeeding, we faced difficulties with dangerously slow weight gain and low milk supply; I counted ounces fed, minutes nursing, and weight gained. These paintings are organized by the time of day for each feeding when nursing my infant. On a typical day, we nursed ten or more times. The cycle continues like phases of the moon or the rising and falling of tides.
Oil on birch panel, 18”x24”
Midnight: is it today? Is it tomorrow? The "beginning" of a cycle can be ambiguous. Night time nursing is where I began the series. "Midnight Garden" was one of the first pieces completed in the summer of 2020
Oil on birch panel, 24”x18”
Our bedroom window faces east, so on the many night time wakes and feedings I would often see the moonrise in the eastern sky. In lieu of looking at my phone for the time, I would notice where the moon was, and look up the moonrise time the next morning out of curiosity for what time it had been. The moonrise shifts by about an hour each night, and this became my way of keeping time.
Like counting rosary beads, the lunar cycle gave a rhythm to nighttime nursing. It was a long time until my boy slept through the night, but of course a common question parents of babies receive is: "do they sleep through the night yet?"
Oil on clay board, 20”x16”
The blue hour - the glow of twilight that precedes the dawn. Most nights we woke to shift around, nurse again, and drift off for one more cycle of sleep before rising for the day.
I've never been a morning person, and I'm generally not ready to wake for the day until around 8. For many people, the blue hour starts their day. But I'm always glad for that last little bit of sleep.
Oil on clay board, 16”x20”
In the morning the sun comes flooding in the east facing windows and our bedroom fills with a golden glow.
Online and in mom groups, pumped milk is often called "liquid gold" because it can be so hard to get. When I was trying to increase my supply and build a 'freezer stash' I would usually pump after breakfast. After a couple months of only getting .05 oz a day in 15 minutes, I eventually gave up.
Oil on birch panel, 18”x24”
"Transfer weight" refers to measuring how much milk a baby eats while nursing by first weighing the hungry (naked or freshly diapered) infant, then nursing, weighing the baby again, and doing some math. It's an important tool, and it can become a point of anxious fixation.
Typically, our appointments to go through this exercise were in the mid morning. Transporting a hungry baby and being sure not to feed him too close to our appointment time was challenging to say the least.
Once we no longer needed these appointments, the time slot was usually filled with outdoor walks in the woods, where we could sit and nurse freely as needed. The freedom to move about, without my having to pack and prepare bottles, was a huge motivator and a part of our experience that I treasured.
Oil on birch panel, 12”x16”
When in public, it was always the question of how hidden do we want to be? I wore my baby in a wrap most of the time, and the extra fabric offered a little bit of modesty without doing the full drape (I could never manage to nurse fully covered anyway, it was uncomfortable for us both)
Oil on clay board, 16”x20”
I sat in community with other nursing mothers a lot in our early months. Through hearing their stories and questions, I learned so much. We were each trying to hold up our own little worlds, sitting on the floor or bouncing on a yoga ball with napping babies.
Oil on birch panel, 24”x18”
By mid afternoon I often felt empty. My fussing baby would hit and cry because he was hungry and I had nothing left. This was the time of day that we most often needed to offer a bottle of formula. The juxtaposition of lush, thriving leaves and thin, empty mammaries. Fat baby arm rolls compared to my trim little string bean.
Oil on birch panel, 12”x16”
Sundown, the witching hour - a period of time in the early evening during which babies are just fussy. It felt like a approaching storm every night. I would gather snacks or eat an early dinner, queue up something on the TV or podcasts, and hunker down in the oversized recliner to nurse and be a pacifier. Bottles or binkies would be angrily pushed away. I don't remember anymore when this phase passed, but it was so regular while it lasted.
Oil on birch panel, 16”x12”
And finally, bed time! The soft glow of the full moon and lightning bugs in the trees.
Nursing at bedtime was our very last routine to change. For 21 months, every night
This collection explores themes of nourishment and breastfeeding. My oil paintings layer imagery of mammary glands during lactation with sacred geometry and edible flowers. By pairing bodily structures with patterns and plants seen everyday, I am learning to view breasts as nourishing and free from shame.
Oil on cradled birch panel, 18”x24”
I had always just thought of artichokes as a vegetable, but to see them in a garden changed my thought. They're beautiful with fluffy pink inflorescence bursting out the top when they're allowed to bloom
Oil on cradled birch panel, 24”x18”, Sold
Dandelions with their wild abundance and milky stems paired with full mammaries. Nourishing and growing the seed of life.
Oil on cradled birch panel, 18”x24”
Blue agaves are perhaps most known as being the source of tequila, but all parts of the plant are edible. They only flower once, and live for 8-14 years.
Oil on cradled birch panel, 24”x18”
I started with the lotus, the fabled food of the Odyssey. The strong narcotics in the plant causes the lotus-eaters to sleep without care of returning to their homes or families.
Oil on cradled birch panel, 18”x24”
Figs are generally considered a fruit, but is actually an inverted flower. I chose to work with figs because of that unique quality, but also because fresh figs are sweet, juicy, and plump. Additionally, their large leaves have been referenced and used as modesty covers for centuries.
Etude: a composition built on a technical motive but played for its artistic value
These works are completed for the love of study and practice. They are perfect to brighten any room.
Oil on birch panel, 8"x10" $300
Oil on hardboard panel, 10”x8” $300
Oil on birch panel, 8”x10” $300
Oil on birch panel, 10”x8” $300
Oil on panel, 8”x10” $300
Oil on Panel, 8”x10” $300
Acrylic on canvas, 9”x12” Sold
Oil on birch panel, 8”x10” Sold
Oil on birch panel, 8”x10” Sold
Oil on panel, 8”x10” Sold
Oil on panel, 8”x10” Sold
Here is a selection of my older works. Please reach out regarding availability of originals!
Oil on clay board, 16”x20”
This piece features a full moon rising, the flower of life, the star of creation, and the meadows of my own childhood. I completed it while pregnant and preparing for motherhood.
Oil on clay board, 14”x18”
I painted this sunny image for my son. The radiant sun of the flower of life and star of creation illuminates a meadow of wildflowers.
Oil on cradled board, 8”x10” $180
A moon rise, a meadow in flower, and trillium flowers celebrating feminine energies and growth
Oil on canvas, 18”x24” $400 (prints available)
An exploration of color and form, this painting features a motif found in Moorish architecture. The red underpainting shines through pink and gives a brilliant depth to the shades of blue.
Oil on cradled board, 24”x18” Sold (prints available)
This bountiful field of wheat is bordered by motifs based on artwork from a Pennsylvania German Fraktur hymnal.
Oil and enamel on canvas, 24”x36” Sold (prints available)
This chapel-like space is inspired by Gothic architecture and towering trees.
Oil on cradled board, 16”x20” Sold (prints available)
Arabesques and mandalas blooming across an ocean of pattern
Hand applied designs in fresh henna - these temporary tattoos last about one to two weeks. I mix my henna at home using only the simplest ingredients - powdered henna and lemon juice - for safe and beautiful henna stains.
While you can find me at street festivals and art events in and around Wilmington, Delaware; I'm happy to schedule private parties and appointments. Please send me a note for more information!
These custom paintings are crafted to commemorate special memories. Please contact me for availability
Clockwise from top left:
Gouache on paper, 5”x7”; Acrylic on wood ornament, 4”x4”; Reference photograph; Gouache on paper, 4”x6” 2022
This special project entailed painting a personalized memento for each family member with the last blooms on their Mom’s rose bush after her passing.
Gouache on paper, 11”x14” 2022
Gouache on paper, 8”x10” 2020
I was honored to create a series of paintings for the Lenten and Easter season and the Lumina Arts Incubator at Grace UMC, Wilmington in February. They were such a joy to create, from burning palms and making paint to the symbolism for each holy day. There are five in total, Ash Wednesday, Lent (Pelican in her Piety), Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter Sunday.
Oil on canvas, 24”x32”, 2015
This piece was created for a couple with inspiration from their travels to Morocco and my series of “An Arabesque a Day” for the Delaware Fun A Day project.
With the creation of a new family came the creation of a new crest, complete with references to the newly wedded couple's favorites tucked into the design.
Using handmade paints this gem was created to celebrate and document the wedding of Seth and Tehra
This custom display of a beloved quote from The Lord of the Rings was created for a newly wed couple
hand made gouache and careful calligraphy come together in a reproduction of a 15th century Italian artwork
