Drafting Ideas

There is something about waking up before everyone in the house, brewing coffee and sitting at the kitchen counter to work.

There’s something about it, very similar to how’s there’s something about the creative energy of a coffee shop that inspires creativity and productivity. And the kitchen counter is similar, especially with the quiet of the morning and the natural light coming through the windows.

There’s been a shift creatively for me, as I am sure, if you’ve been reading these, you may have noticed.

My son is sleeping more and more through the night, and he is also more easily incorporated in my work activities as an artist.

H has reached an age where he s becoming more and more independent and self reliant. He is not as attracted to shiny, sharp objects and the electric sockets like before and our time together has been filled with creative endeavors, activities and family field trips or errands.

But also, “Harry Goes to Work with Mom Day,” has been a part of his “curriculum” lately.

Early during motherhood, when H was an infant and young emerging toddler, being able to work in the studio on multiple projects were severely limited to short periods of time, with fatigue being a great limitation. I no longer could rely on my ability to be a ‘workhorse’ spending several hours everyday at a time in the studio.

The lack of spending 35 - 50 a week in the studio often times led to the negative thought, “I’m no longer a full-time artist.” “I’m not painting and creating, like before, and therefore, I am not really doing art like before.”

These statements are not true.

And probably are not even close to what others may think or perceive about my status as an artist.

Most likely, I am not giving myself credit for how much I did achieve and accomplished while also being a new, stay at home mom.

Not being able to spend hours at a time painting, made me feel very uncomfortable, insecure and out of control.

As an artist and creative entrepreneur, I am not in control of many, many, most things. But the one thing I can control is how hard I work and the hours I put into my work.

And although I put in hours, sacrificing sleep during Harrison’s nap times and night times, I still felt very insecure about my progress as an artist.

Like everything in life, there are phases and seasons. Nothing is forever.

Change is ever constant. Life is always moving forward.

One of the best advice, I’ve received as a mother, is to enjoy each moment and each phase because the time goes by so fast.

Well, now, Harry is getting bigger, taller, and transforming into his own person. And now I get to spend this time in the studio, thankfully, with him.

I will no longer gain back those moments when we was a child, falling asleep in my arms, knowing that my arms is the safest place he will ever be.

That time was not wasted.

And now, I get to re-experience the studio, as I’ve never experienced it before, with H, as a working Mom.

It’s been so rewarding.

But I digress.

But back to the kitchen counter.

With the new wave of energy, zest, and ability to put in the time and work again, I’ve begun crafting a new exclusive commission project, that expands upon a painting and concept I’ve developed back in 2019, “Energy of Humanity.”

Humanity comes from the root word, “humane,” meaning “having or showing compassion or benevolence.”

I will share more in the upcoming month about this project.

But the project is a special and exclusive interactive portrait series about extraordinary human beings, past and present, who represent “compassion and benevolence” for all human beings.

Most of this idea was drafted and developed sitting at this kitchen counter, one of my favorite spots for inspiration.

I’m very excited to share more details soon.

Stay tuned.

Always,

AVM

A.V.M. HawkinsFebruary 8, 2025Comment