Medium: digital illustration on canvas

Artist Statement: This piece is about my deep appreciation for mothers, grandmothers and caregivers who, in the US, are mostly all women, all severely undervalued and underpaid, but are the life-force who make it all thrive, who get things done, all with babies on their backs. Their efforts go unseen as though they work in the background, while the rest of us only see the flowers of their labor. Why is it that most child care providers are women in the US? Why is it that they could literally make more money working fast food than they could caring for our children? As a new mom myself, this role has transformed me to my core and given me a closeup view on how vital women are to communities, and also how most lawmakers look nothing like those investing in and tending to the very big needs of small children -- to everyone and everything around them like their garden, beautifying and making the world a better place as a public service as though it is their gift to share. Pure generosity. Can you imagine what they could do if they were each paid what a CEO makes?

I dedicate this piece to our baby's grandmothers, Grandma Kathy and Grandma Linda, who carried us as children quite literally, but also carried us through a childcare drought, who have given us the best gift by cultivating, and nourishing the growth of our baby. This may seem like as simple act, but it is actually most astounding when you really think about it. 90% of brain growth happens before kindergarten. These are the most formative years, the best return on investment. Investing in children is no secret, which is why women are willing to sacrifice, it is where we can make the most impact.

Piece Details: Piece is 18" x 24" and stretched on canvas.