Artist-Mother: Ellen Mote
9 questions on art making and motherhood
The discovery of Ellen Mote’s work here on Substack ignited an immediate curiosity. Her paintings kaleidoscope the viewer into illusory layers that merge botanical and anatomical studies. Ellen’s organically formed Venn diagrams question relationships between the mind and body reminiscent of works by Judy Chicago and Leo Lionni’s Parallel Botany. Connecting with Ellen on topics of art and motherhood has been an absolute joy. Ellen’s Substack Kunsthalle continually inspires—a quote I loved from her post, Why I Paint, is included below.
Embracing the convergence of my mothering and my art expanded my idea of what an artist could be, and who a mother could be. When I opened myself to the expansion each could continuously offer the other, I faced my fear that my mothering would limit my art instead of honor it.
It is my absolute pleasure to share Ellen’s work and words with you here as the conversation on art making and motherhood continues to evolve in this growing community of readers. If you enjoy reading these interviews please consider becoming a monthly, yearly or founding subscriber if that’s within your reach. I greatly appreciate your support, and I’m glad you’re here!
9 questions on art making and motherhood
1 In a sentence or two define your art practice.
I am a painter and a jewelry designer. My painting is my fine arts practice, and my jewelry is more of my craft.
2 How do you carve out time for your art practice alongside motherly obligations?
I start my days in the studio around 4am and work till 8am. My husband does the “morning shift” with the kids, and then I work again from mid morning to midday. I started the early morning rhythm during the pandemic when childcare wasn’t available and it’s stuck around.
3 What project or body of work are you currently developing?
I’m currently working on a body of work around body image and societal expectations. I have found that since becoming a mother, others are quick to distill my importance in the world to my role as a mother or the size and shape of my body. I don’t agree with this viewpoint, and my work speaks to this.
I paint abstractions of the female form, often with no head, exaggerated breasts, and pregnant bellies. The choice to remove the head is a purposeful one in effort to portray my perceived value, not for my head but for my body. It’s sexual appeal and child rearing capabilities. Then I layer these shapes on top of each other with sheer paint. Using bright colors I clamor for the attention I crave, to be seen as more than a body, more than a mother.
4 Describe your studio space and working environment: the location, ambient sounds, etc.
My studio is bright, airy and peaceful. I hear the birds chirping, and the leaves rustling in the wind outside. It’s a converted detached garage, so I’m just a driveway away. We converted this space to be my studio about 7 years ago and it’s been the best investment.
5 Where are you currently finding inspiration?
Nearly everywhere…! I’m needing to edit down a bit, honestly. I’m reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron with a group of 10 others (most who don’t identify as artists) and the recommended “artist dates” as a companion to the reading have been incredible. I tend to be quite rigid in life, and in art. The artist dates have opened me up to having fun in my work and its been wildly inspiring.
6 How has motherhood impacted the evolution of your vocation as an artist-mother?
In every single way. The first jewelry collection I released after becoming a mother was my most colorful and best selling. And now my visual art speaks to motherhood. Becoming a mother has been the accelerator I didn’t know I needed in finding who I really am and what I really want. Without becoming a mother I think I would spend a lot more time on pleasing others and doing what I “think” I should be doing vs what I’m meant to do.
7 What female artists do you find intriguing and important to reference in your own work?
I’m very inspired by Lily Stockman, also a mother and the work she makes.
CJ Hendry, the ultimate experience artist. I don’t reference her work in a direct way, but her work does challenge me to create experiences for people beyond looking at art.
Loie Hollowell, she was the first artist I encountered after I became a mother that made work about pregnancy and the female form. It opened my eyes to a world that has been here all along. She inspires me to push my shapes and colors outside of my comfort zone.
8 Future dream project, collaboration or exhibition?
I’d really like to do a 2-3 artist show specifically speaking to motherhood. I know it’s a bit of a trending topic right now, but there is so much more to be said in a deeply considered way.
9 Final thoughts on being an artist-mother, anything more you would like to share?
Man, being an artist-mother is refining and enriching. When I first became a mother, I lost my voice, and through art, I am finding my true voice.
Connect with Ellen: ellenmoteart.com + Kunsthalle
