Mother Artists

Motherhood and art-making share a fundamental essence—both are acts of creation nurtured through patience, resilience, and deep emotional labor. Speck Gallery's March exhibition, Mother Artists, curated by artist Lauren Saunders, brings together a dynamic group of female artists who are also mothers, exploring how these two identities shape and enrich one another.

The exhibition showcases diverse styles, from abstract compositions to intimate portraits, lush botanicals, plein air landscapes, still life studies, and contemporary modern works. Each piece tells a story—of chaos and tenderness, exhaustion and inspiration, sacrifice and self-discovery. The collection is equally rich in mediums, featuring oil, acrylic, mixed media, pastel, and pencil, reflecting the various approaches these artists take to express their experiences.

The artists in this show span generations, from a new mother with an 8-month-old to a great-grandmother with four great-grandchildren, offering a unique intergenerational perspective on how motherhood and artistic practice evolve over time. Some works capture the immediacy of caregiving, while others reflect on a lifetime of balancing creative passion with family life. Together, they prove that art and motherhood are not opposing forces but, intertwined acts of devotion.

The participating artists are Stephanie Thompson, Libby Whipple, Jeanne McLeish, Kami Noland, Lynda Brill, Donna Shortt, Sharon Brooks, Pam Newell, Connie Nobbe, Hannah Angermiere, Jessica Green, Leslie Ober, and Abigail Schwartz.

Visit Speck Gallery throughout March to experience this powerful and deeply personal collection. Monday-Friday 9-5 and on our online gallery.