Crafty Mamas... on Creativity & Motherhood

Wonder Women

Wish it were mine, but the above painting is by Caroline Walker, an extraordinary artist who is also a mother to young children, and who frequently takes that experience of parenthood as her source material. This was the lead illustration of a New York Times piece from last year considering the cost of mothering to a creative life, whether the two are mutually exclusive, and the 'radical act' of renouncing art for the care of infants, as Patti Smith (below) did in the 1980s.

Patti hasn't exactly faded into obscurity, and Walker's career is rocketing, so it's certainly not a given that procreation proscribes creative success, and whilst it is undoubtedly a huge challenge, in my experience motherhood can actually help to focus, shape and enable.

Boss Baby

I often describe Scribble & Daub as my fourth baby, and I'm not sure it would even exist were it not for my first, Arlo, who is a few months old in this treasured photograph by my friend Eva Vermandel.

The year before he was born, we landed in Sussex after ten months travelling in the Americas. I was supposed to start an Art History Masters Degree in London, but that felt all wrong, and the only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to have a baby, and do something creative while they grew up. Forged during precious nap times, Scribble & Daub has grown organically over the years, evolving with each of my two subsequent children into something which now, twelve years later, supports our whole family.

Buy Women Built

Last year, Scribble & Daub was invited to join Buy Women Built, an organisation created by Sahar Hashemi, the dynamic founder of Coffee Republic, which seeks to champion and support brands founded and led by women. If you're looking for Mother's Day gift inspiration, why not start with a browse of their brand directory. As Sahar says, 'If you believe in women, buy from them'.

Above: the late, great Phyllida Barlow in front of Shedmesh with her daughter Clover at Camden Arts Centre, 1975

Mamma Mia!

If, like me, you have yet to organise your Mother's Day presents then don't worry, there's still time..!

We have put together an edit of cards and gifts which will all be sent by next day courier, though please order by Thursday morning to be on the safe side.

Shipping is free for UK orders over £25, and if you're ordering a beautiful Mother's Day card, remember that if you add 5 more cards to your basket, one will automatically be free at checkout, so why not top up your card stash at the same time!

Every Mother Matters

Mother's Day is not an easy time for many, so however you spend this weekend, we send our love. I'll be marching for peace on Saturday and thinking particularly of all the mother's who have been killed, or whose children have been taken, maimed or murdered in the violence in Gaza, The West Bank and Israel these past 5 months.

Duaa Abaid is seen here cradling the body of her two year old daughter Sama, who was killed by the Israeli assault on Khan Yunis in January.

You can support the work of Doctors without Borders and Save the Children in Gaza through our limited edition Dove print - £50 each, 100% of proceeds are split between the two charities.