Creative Mother: How Motherhood Fuels My Art—Even in Chaos
HAVING A KID AT HOME MEANS STAYING CREATIVE
Having a toddler—any child- means constantly inventing ways to engage and entertain. I have been doing this since before my son could walk. Not because I am overly organized (I am not), but because he is naturally curious and always in motion.
So I leaned into it. I started using creativity not just in my studio, but in our daily life. Making playtime into learning time. Turning boredom into storytelling. It was not about having a perfect plan—it was about staying flexible and playful, just like in art.
BACKYARD BREAKTHROUGHS
Eventually, we moved the chaos outdoors. The backyard became our escape—whether it was summer break, quarantine life, or just a restless toddler climbing the walls.
For kids, even a small patio is an adventure waiting to happen. For me, it became a reminder that creativity doesn't just live in my studio—it lives in how I adapt.
Looking back, I laugh at the idea of raising this non-stop little human in an apartment. The universe knew better than I did.
HOPSCOTCH & SERENDIPITY
This one happened on a whim. I had chalk tucked away for a someday activity I never got around to. I didn’t think my son was ready for it — turns out, all little kids love chalk.
I drew a hopscotch, and because he’s obsessed with numbers, it instantly clicked. What started as playful jumping turned into bilingual learning: English and Spanish numbers, forward and backward. He even started quizzing me.
It reminded me: creativity isn’t just in the art — it’s in the moment you least expect.
CREATIVE SHAPES & LETTING GO OF PERFECTION
Shapes are a close second to my son’s love of numbers. One day, I taped off a small design on the patio using painter’s tape — something a little artsy, of course. But he was too impatient to wait for “perfect.” So I winged it.
That’s when I realized: sometimes my artist brain needs to let go. It’s not always about making a masterpiece—it’s about meeting my child where he is.
Later, we scaled it up. My husband cleaned the patio, and I drew large colorful shapes with chalk, spelling out each one. He walked through them, naming and memorizing as we went. The combination of movement, color, and hearing the words spelled out became a full-body learning experience.
Watching him absorb it all reminded me: creative learning isn’t Pinterest-perfect. It’s playful, messy, and full of surprises.
MY NEW STUDIO MATE
My little guy is officially my studio mate. We share one big room that now serves as both my art studio and his playroom. It’s the only way I can get anything done—and honestly, it works.
This room used to be my husband’s media cave, but I reclaimed it with intention. I minimized my supplies down to a safe, child-proof armoire. The rest of the space is flexible: tables, desks, a couch… and lots of room for creativity to unfold.
We don’t always create together, but we coexist in the space—he in play, me in process. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. And it’s beautiful.
Read more about how I reorganized my studio here.
THE READING CORNER
Reading has always mattered to me—even when life’s chaotic, I make space for it. And I’ve tried to pass that love along to my little one, not by forcing it, but by making it part of our everyday spaces.
He’s always had access to books, mixed in with his toys, so he knows that picking up a story is as normal as grabbing a car or a crayon. He’s more of a “read-it-myself” kind of kid, and that’s okay. I used to worry about it, until a speech therapist reminded me that some children absorb books best when they explore them independently.
Now, in our shared studio, he has his reading nook—pillows, stuffed animals, books, and space. Sometimes I catch him sitting there, flipping pages, pretending to read (or maybe actually reading—I suspect he knows more than he lets on). We’ve even set up a second reading space in the living room, where he can relax while we cook or unwind.
It’s taught me that reading isn’t just about storytime—it’s about environment, access, and freedom. And that’s something both kids and adults need.
THE ACTIVITY TABLE THAT KEEPS EVOLVING
Two years ago, my son was gifted a little activity table that doubles as a LEGO table—but since he’s still too young for small pieces, we’ve repurposed it many times over.
It’s been a reading table, snack spot, art station, puzzle zone, and even the setting for toddler playdate lunches. He’s gotten so much use out of it—and I often find myself sitting beside him on the floor, drawing or building whatever he’s in the mood for.
It’s become one more reminder that creative spaces grow with us.
ART SPACE ON HIS TERMS
Yes, I’m an artist—but I don’t force art on my child. I’ve always believed he’ll come to it when (and if) he’s ready. For a while, he wasn’t interested. He’d watch me create but wouldn’t join in.
That changed one day when I made a painting for his birthday party, and he asked me to help. It was the first time he showed interest, and I let him lead.
At first, I had adult-friendly studio floor coverings, but once he joined in, I realized I needed more than that. Old sheets worked... until he ran off mid-brushstroke. When I moved studios, I set up a safer, cleaner solution: I placed his old high chair by my desk. He still fit, and it gave him a defined space to create without chasing messes across the room. Now, when he chooses to make art, he has a space that’s all his.
PINTEREST UNIVERSITY, ANYONE?
When I’m out of ideas or just stuck, I enroll in what I jokingly call Pinterest University. I’ve got an entire board dedicated to creative motherhood—art activities, sensory play, bilingual learning—you name it. And it turns out, I’m not the only one. Most moms I know are pinning and saving their way through the wild world of parenting.
There’s no shame in borrowing brilliance.
What are your go-to creative ways to help your child learn through play? Drop your favorites below or tag me—I’m always looking for new ideas.