Thank you to 1517 Media and NetGalley for my free digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.
It is very beautifully written, and explores both the barriers to creation for women artists who become mothers, and the blossoming of creativity in an often different direction for them, stemming from their mothering experiences. Descriptions and musings about Catherine’s own journey through giving birth and mothering punctuate the stories of many others.
This would make a beautiful gift for any woman artist entering into the world of conceiving, carrying and birthing a child, then learning how to raise it alongside their artistic career or hobby. A recommended read, one I prefer to dip into to give time to digest, rather than read in one sitting.

This book wasn’t for me. I’m “dnf-ing” at 30%. The main theme of art and motherhood is for me, but the structure and the writing style of this book irritated me. On one hand we have an author, who shares her experience of pregnancy and birth (well, so far along I came in the book) and it was nothing special, very generic descriptions of events, on the other hand we have very different passages in writing style, about art, which is very dry and full of definitions. In this second academic part the author presents female artists like wikipedia excerpts, again very dry, full of facts and than the author includes full of quotes of mentioned artists and describes their work without any picture references. I just couldn’t delve into the subject…

Thank you NetGalley and Broadleaf Books for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very interesting read. As an artist was interesting to see a connection between women, motherhood, and being an artist.

In The Mother Artist, Ricketts explores the relationship between caregiving—specifically mothering—and creativity. Drawing upon mothering artists from past and present—Morrison, Didion, Jamison—Rickett’s begs questions such as: How does one create and flourish in their art while tending to another? Is motherhood “incompatible with artistic ambition”? Blending memoir with art history, this unique book provides deep insight and makes for inquisitive conversation.

The questions posed within this book felt reminiscent of the conversation Jamison has with readers in her recent memoir, Splinters, so I would recommend that for further reading on the topic.

Recommended for women who are trying to find balance between mothering and their craft or for readers who know women who are trying to find balance between mothering and their craft.

Thank you Broadleaf Books and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 08/20/2024!

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.