Finding Balance in Art and Motherhood

A Journey of Flexibility and Adaptation

Recently another Mama reached out to ask how I have been able to find balance and nourish myself and my art practice while being a Mother. It surprised me how passionate I felt about discussing this topic!

Balancing an art practice with motherhood is a truly worthy challenge. However, life doesn’t stop for the muse, and it certainly doesn’t slow down to accommodate those sacred hours of uninterrupted creativity. For me, finding this balance has been an evolving process. As a night owl, I used to rely on late-night hours to get my creative work done, but lately, my routine has shifted dramatically.

“With two young daughters—my art practice now fits into the gaps of motherhood, rather than the other way around.” - Sarah Matsuda

A Change in Routine

During the Christmas Holidays, I spent much of the break outdoors with the girls. We played in nature as much as possible and soaked up the precious moments. Now that my older daughter Juliette is back from Christmas break, I find myself adjusting to a new rhythm. Nathalie, who has just turned one, has had very disrupted sleep lately, possibly due to teething. This has meant less rest for both of us and even more interrupted nights.

When Nathalie was an infant, I was able to get a solid chunk of time while she napped or played independently. But now? She’s into everything. My once placid newborn has transformed into a tiny whirlwind, getting into all sorts of mischief. I have to keep a close eye on her, which makes it harder to go deep in my art practice for any length of time.

Finding SPACE Between the Chaos

Juliette, being older now, is much more aware of boundaries—she knows not to touch my paint palette or disturb my workspace. It’s actually possible to work around her, especially when Nathalie is asleep. However, Juliette still needs a lot of attention. And if Nathalie’s napping, I find myself feeling like I should prioritize Juliette. The constant juggling act can leave me feeling stretched thin.

With this in mind, I’ve learned to only take on projects that offer flexible timelines and no strict deadlines. I have been super lucky to have incredibly understanding clients who are willing to wait for their art commission. The best example of this is my collaboration with my closest friend Cate Storey of Wet Season Books. We have created three beautiful books together and managed to have business meetings with children trying to hijack them!

Art studio in the heart of the home where the kids play. Note my palette which can be covered.

REfining My Painting Technique for Flexibility and Flow

One of the ways I’ve adapted is through using a large palette with a cover that I can spray with water to keep the paint moist overnight. That means if I only get a bit of work done one day, it’s not the end of the world. The beauty of working in layers is that I can leave it and come back to it whenever I get a free moment. I used to find it difficult to maintain the creative momentum if I didn’t finish a painting in one sitting, but now I’ve learned to enjoy the process, even if it spans several days, weeks or months.

Another tip: Atelier Interactive acrylics stay wet for much longer than some other brands of acrylics when sprayed with water. This gives me even more flexibility to extend the life of my paint over days.

“These little hacks make all the difference when you're working around the unpredictable schedules of young children.” - Sarah Matsuda

Baby wearing - another tool in my arsenal for getting stuff done and maybe even managing a breastfeed in an art supply store..

Evolving My Art Practice

When I first became a Mother, my art practice had to shift in order to survive. Before motherhood, I was exploring intense and time-consuming illustrations —pieces that demanded hours of uninterrupted focus. After I became a mother, that kind of work just wasn’t feasible anymore. I needed to find a way to create that didn’t require marathon sessions or meticulous detail.

So, I shifted to working on figures, portraits, and more loose, emotive pieces. The transition was liberating. I moved away from rigid structures and embraced a more spontaneous style. As I am quite (self) trained in harnessing my creative flow, I can dip into the zone to create loose and expressive work quickly. I can start a painting in the morning while the girls are in high spirits, then come back to it after they’ve gone to bed at night. The progress is fast, and the process feels more organic.

My suggestion if you are looking for a way to continue your own art practice is to explore different art mediums. Trial what gives you satisfaction if you only have small snippets of time to dedicate to it:

Painting in a certain style, drawing, brush & ink, watercolour, lino printing, embroidery or sewing, photography?

One of my latest projects was a nude pregnancy portrait, which I delivered last month. The clients had ordered it back in September and they were so patient and understanding waiting for it - the baby is four months old now! Time flies, but that portrait is a piece I’m extremely proud of, especially because it reflects a period of growth for me, both personally and professionally.

A dedicated artist and mother - multitasking.

A Work in Progress

I know that my creative journey will continue to evolve. Motherhood has taught me to embrace flexibility in my art, to work with the ebb and flow of life, and to let go of the idea of “perfect timing.” I may not have the same uninterrupted hours that I once did, but I’ve learned to work around the moments I can carve out. Even if it’s a little here and a little there, the work gets done. And that, in itself, is an achievement.

“Motherhood and art can coexist, but they require patience, understanding, and a healthy dose of flexibility.” - Sarah Matsuda

Juliette peering in as Prima Ballerina (my sister-in-law!) Teagan Lowe poses. The artworks I created from this session were pivotal in my work. Thank you Teagan!

I’ve stopped chasing the idea of balance and instead focused on finding harmony in the chaos. If you’re in the same boat, juggling your creative practice with family life, I hope this post helps you feel a little less alone in the struggle. Every piece of art you create in the process is a testament to your strength and resilience. Just keep going!