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art mom to art mom

In the November/December 2009 Artist to Artist interview with Lesley Riley, featured artist Melissa Hackmann talked about how she blends motherhood and “artisthood.” Here is more of that conversation.

Lesley Riley: How do you see your art and your work habits changing now that motherhood and babies take up so much of both your mental and physical space?

Melissa P. Hackmann: Now, when I have a free afternoon, I am more focused. BB (before babies) I would spend more time revisiting my decisions, this caused me to work much slower. I simply had more time, so I used more time. Now, I work a lot faster. Part of it is because throughout my life as an artist I have invested a huge amount of time thinking about what I want to create. But also because while I am with the kids, the ideas keep flowing and I am planning what I will do when the time presents itself.  It’s a stockpile of ideas that explodes into a piece of work when I get the chance to work in the studio or collaborate with fellow artists.

LR: Do you have any recommendations to readers with young children, or to ones who plan to add a wee one?

MPH: Yes. Remember that having a little time is better than none at all. Make a sketch here or there, or a list of things you want to try or explore. If you are waiting until things are less hectic, you might be waiting until they reach secondary school! I confirm that I am not an expert, but it has been my experience that with children comes chaos. That said, I don’t want to miss the amazing moments of their childhood or wait until they are in high school to start making art again. Finding a balance between the two is the key.

For now, while I am not able to produce as much art as I did before children, I will use the time to collect new experiences that only the creative minds of children can generate. I love the wild, the wacky, and the whimsical, and I anticipate that motherhood experiences will draw these elements out in my future work.

On a personal note, instead of keeping traditional baby books for my children, I keep sketchbooks. I will keep adding “snapshot” sketches of their doings. Keeping the books up to date is just as important to me as any solo show. With my two-year-old, I have learned that you cannot go back and relive a facial expression or a new discovery made. It’s best to grab the sketchbook and document the moment. As chaotic as life is now, I try to appreciate the artistic moments when I can.

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