Me And My Mom Drawing

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Artists Pay Homage to Their Mothers and Share Loving Memories

painting of mother and child by Mary Cassatt — Mother Combing Her Child's Hair, painting by Mary Cassatt

(Published in May, 2020) In preparation for this article to commemorate Mother's Day, I wanted to give my Facebook artist friends an opportunity to pay homage to their mothers and perhaps share some loving memories. In this process, my desire was to give a platform for artists to express their feelings of love, respect, gratitude and even loss. I'm also always seeking ways for artists to develop new friendships and I knew that would happen when they read each other's heartfelt words. So, I posted this question: "Dear Artist, How did your Mother positively influence you as an Artist?" In less than 24 hours I received more than 120 comments and the response is still growing.

On this page you'll find a variety of comments from artists from different cultural backgrounds and experiences. Since it isn't possible to share them all here I encourage you to read all comments on my Facebook page.

You may also want to read "Artists Share How Their Fathers Influenced Their Artistic Pursuits"

A Huge Thank You to All of The Artists who Shared Words of Love, Gratitude and Even Loss.
And, Happy Mother's Day and Mother's Appreciation Day!

Adriana Garces "My Mom always says: "Bless your hands and vision!" She's always encouraged me to create and influenced my love of the arts in almost every category. We've enjoyed drawing and painting together, music, dance and art exhibitions. She's 87 years old and creating art is how I see her relax the most."

Arlene Rush "She admired my courage to follow my dream. Always said shoot for the stars. On a more heart felt and important part of life she said you always share: you have two pennies you give one away. I feel that resonating in such times of hardship. I have taken her advice to heart."

Eda Gyenis "My mother died in 2001, neither she nor my father was alive when I started to paint. But they had taught me to love. This heritage from them helped me to recover and determines my whole life. I'd like to bring this heritage into my artworks and spread it that way. Hence my art is based on love and my parents are included on every painting I make."

Pamela Turczyn "My mother led by example; she took night school oil painting classes at the high school. She also taught me to embroider when I was four years old and bought me a drawing table for my 6th birthday."

Susan McLaughlin Rosen "My mother saved every drawing I made as a child-even the very first drawing I made of apple. She sent them all to my grandmother over the years. I did not know that. . Recently my grandmother's house was sold and the new owner sent back all my drawings to me. So nice so see them all and have that historical reference. They are really not so different than what I am doing today."

Elizabeth Bram "My mother felt it was her life's work to protect my creativity. She let me draw on my parent's books and draw on the walls of our house. My freedom was more important than anything else. One time I decided to create a collage on the driveway using the ingredients for chicken a la king from the refrigerator. I remember spreading the peas and sauce on the sidewalk; the texture was wonderful. She came out and looked at my creation and did not say anything. Then she quietly went about making something else for dinner."

artists inspire and motivate — New Beginning, painting by Mary Mirabal

Mary Mirabal: "I didn't begin painting till about five years ago. I'm now 61. I remember as the second of eight children in our family how excited my mother pretended to be whenever I brought her something I had drawn. I didn't really have much of an interest in creating art until I reached my mid 50's. Then, once I began showing my work at shows and making sales my mother (now 80) became my biggest fan. She jokingly asks where this talent came from. I've since learned that generations back women on the maternal side of my family have been artists. The gene must have been passed on to me."

Doug Sheer "My mother was a painter and pianist. She had been in the Artists Union and the WPA. Later she became a Hans Hofmann student. She was a pioneering Abstract Expressionist. In her last few decades she developed a global reputation as a fine art photographer. She was a very positive and charismatic person who, like my father, also an artist, strongly set the tone for my life in the art world."

Cathy Horner "My mom had a beautiful way of seeing the world. She loved people. We had mountain property and took many long walks through the woods and fields. She could identify all the wildflowers and weeds. Knew which ones we could eat too. She always did crafts. It was her joy about life and willingness to be silly that made you want to be with her. My mom praised everything I attempted to do, always my cheerleader. I started my art career after she became ill with Alzheimer's and wonder sometimes what she would have said about it but in my heart I know she would love it. Her love of nature and humor greatly influenced me in many ways."

Carl Borgia "Every time I cut a canvas, I remember how my mother taught me to make posters out of cardboard as a child. My canvases today still follow the same processes she taught me then. Also, I remember when I graduated college at 20, my mother and grandmother cornered me and insisted I go to graduate school in Europe. There, I fell in love with the subjects of so many of my early paintings—the cities of Italy and Portugal."

Michael Byrne "My Mom was a very creative fine artist, went to Cass Tech. She was a potter, painter, rug hooker, taught hat making. I followed her with the painting and teaching fine art. I miss her more than I can express."

Carter Hammond "My mother made sure I saw works of art in museums all around the country as well as a variety of architecture while growing up. She was a museum professional and at one time the Director of the Museum of Cartoon Art. She would have been 72 yesterday."

sculpture of giraffes — All About Me, sculpture by Janet Jordan

Janet Jordan "My mother nurtured the empath in me. (She would say) Don't take that turtle, he has a home and a family… Don't step on that bug, how will his mother feel?… My mother saved the new bars of Ivory soap from the grocery store for me to carve Into turtles and elephants. But then we had to save the shaving so we could use those in the bathtub. My mother made all of my dance costumes and Halloween costumes She let me be whatever I wanted to be."

Tanzina Amin "Although I grew up in a conservative society in Bangladesh, my mother was always very liberal and pushed me to follow my dreams and passion. I loved sketching when I was in high school, my Mom found a private art school for me (which was very rare in the 80s). I took drawing and oil painting lessons for 2 years before going to university. I stopped painting for 23 years, and my mom always encouraged me to start painting again. I moved to Canada 16 years ago, and started painting again in 2009. I would talk to my mom every weekend, and she would always love to see my latest artwork and ask about the latest exhibitions."

Deborah Sherman "My mother was very supportive of my desire to be an artist. Before she married and had children she had been a teacher in a one room school in Nova Scotia and then emigrated to the US to seek her fortune. She did not draw or paint herself but always bought my brother and I numerous art supplies and worked on amazing craft projects with us. Later she became friends with a wonderful woman artist… and sent me to her studio for lessons in high school. When I wanted to take a year off from college to study at the National Academy she was very positive about it and interested in all I did. Unfortunately she died that same year and I still miss the unconditional faith she had in me."

Leanne Fink "My mother was supportive of my interest in art as long as I can remember. We lived in a small house. My first studio was a room off the kitchen and inevitably projects would constantly spill over to the kitchen table, sometimes literally. I never recall her getting overly upset at this. Adele had an interest in fashion design and taught her daughters to sew and knit and crochet, then taught her granddaughters, my children. We are all artists, each in our own way."

Judy H. Klich "My mother taught me to be crafty and make something out of what I had laying around and that most anything can be repaired. I have fixed my dishwasher and washing machine because of her. She also taught me to never give up on my dreams. My favorite thing about her was that she was always learning new things and always making something. She never sat around empty handed and I am the exact same way! I miss her every day and just wish I could call her for advice!"

Teuta Pula "My mother was an Art Teacher. Every detail in the house was imbued by her artistic touch. She smiled to my unorthodox nature, which made me feel free as unique personality in reality and be real in my art expression. She passed away in December, few years ago."

Julie Snidle "My mother was a maker. She sewed my clothes, she taught me to cook, she won awards for her flower gardens and floral arrangements. She enrolled me in a summer school art class in 5th grade and is still here, at 86, attending my gallery openings. Love her and her support."

Prophesy, pastel painting by Barbara Rachko

Barbara Rachko "I grew up in a NJ suburb with a mother who never got to finish high school, but was always interested in the arts. Early on she recognized my drawing talents. I used to copy the Sunday comics and loved doing those 'Paint by Number' things. When I was about 7 years old, I began taking 'art classes' with a painter in Rutherford, NJ. I remember that my mother had to convince my father to let me go. (My blue collar family had minimal exposure to art. We did not know any artists). She used to take my sister and me to visit the Metropolitan Museum and MoMA, which were just a 30-minute bus ride away. My mother also adored movies and took my sister and me to see just about every major film that was released. To this day I am a passionate cinephile."

Kathryn Thurman Grier "My mother saw to it that we had art supplies always on hand. She took a wall in the dining room and covered it entirely with our artwork. She allowed us to paint the front windows of the house at Christmas time. She saw to it that I could take extra art classes during the summertime. She supported my decision to pursue a fine arts degree in illustration. She got my dad to cosign a loan so I could afford to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has attended every art show I've had work in. She arranged with her local arts center to allow me a solo show in their building. She is excited about the book I'm currently working on. She just this morning encouraged me to keep on with the painting experiments I've been doing. She encourages my artistic pursuits every time we talk. I love and appreciate her and her constant support. I am blessed."

Vinita Saxena "My mother is no more but as a child always saw her creating something beautiful whether it was making a painting, knitting some sweater, looking after our lovely garden, doing some awesome crochet work or preparing an awesome dish. She was multi talented. Gradually I started creating my own artwork and always looked up to her. She was always there to guide me. Left me quietly 2 years back.. the loss is irreparable."

A Girl on a Train Wearing a Red Coat, Photograph by Martha Coaty

Martha Coaty "My mother recognized that I was an artist while I was in 8th grade. She would say, "Martha's my artist." So, I try to live up to her expectations. I made a photograph from the night we celebrated her 80th birthday. A girl on a train wearing a red coat, similar to what she would dress my three sisters and I in, was the centerpiece of the photograph. On a particular night, she was in the audience when my name was called for an award for the photograph. I asked her what it felt like to hear my name called. She replied she got a tear in her eye. She is my biggest fan, and that is all the encouragement I need."

Angela Treat Lyon "My mother did watercolor land and seascapes, and charcoal and pastel portraits. I was so proud, at age 4, to be given a little easel of my own. I took it along when she would go do portrait sittings, and draw right alongside her. She, 2 aunts, 3 cousins, all women, are/were all artists. She always told me I was 'so brave' because I traveled around by myself, with my huge portfolio in NYC. She'd been raised to always have a companion or chaperone. I walked all over NYC and drew and photographed and painted everything, and she loved it. When I went to art school, I'd come home and she'd ask what did you love the best today, and we'd go thru a good lesson and practice together. I miss her heartily."

Patricia Roche "My mother was a mastercrafts woman. At 16, she sewed her own wedding gown and was published in the papers as 'The first bride who wore lace' in Singapore. Lily created 3D animals on silk in golden frames. A great cook, I remember Christmas log cakes with reindeers and birds before it became current and fashionable."

Eileen Figueroa My Mom always inspired me to pursue my dreams specially in art. She always support me even if its a crazy idea that I want to follow…she is my biggest cheerleader 💓 through life and that why I'm eternally grateful for her. She always tells me "follow your dreams even of they are crazy".

Ann Dunbar "If it was not for my mother's interest and encouragement,I would not have been an artist. She passed on the skills I needed to create unique pieces. I presented an embroidered purse to enter art college straight after school at sixteen and got a place, however she advised me to stay on at school to acquire more qualifications and then go to university to learn how to teach. It was not my plan but I followed her opinions and when the the time came when I was given the opportunity to do an arts degree, after my teachers' certification,both my parents supported me in every way for another three years of studying. I was truly blessed. She also taught me how to be persistent and to work to the best of one's ability."

Lisa Freidus "My mother has had a significant impact in my life. I never felt vulnerable when sharing my inner struggles because her suggestions were derived from love. When I was overly concerned, she would say "Lisa cut it out!" It was a jolt that ushered me back to reality and today I echo these words when I am feeling overwhelmed. She encouraged me to trust my instincts and strive for quality in all artistic endeavors. The way I observe and design art was influenced by her creativity and during this process I feel her guiding hand."

Lea Weinberg "My optimistic mother loved life and all humans were equal for her, she gave everyone her noble smile and people loved her back. Her family was her life she embraced her family under her motherhood wings and we shared our life stories with her. My mother is my emotional inspiration Togetherness was always a strong motif in my work. My wire mesh sculptures and reliefs reveal semi abstract humans and shapes entwined together in close connection and many of my themes relate to Motherhood."

Ana Ghinea "She considered a artistic career, in her youth, but her parents talked her out of it. It's funny but she preferred painting and wasn't attracted by sculpting at all. I turned out to be a sculptor. I was thinking of a career in art before high school. She tried to suggest other opinions. Finally in the 10th grade I made my decision and transferred to the Arts High school in my city. She was very supportive. Then I didn't stop and she continued being supportive in all the ways she could."

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