For a while now I have been a little bit obsessed with the art of Katie M. Bergrenn. She beautifully captures what gentle mothering is to me with her timeless paintings. It's not often that I'm really taken by a piece of art. I always appreciate really great talent, but I've never been one of those people who felt like "art speaks to me", or been really moved by a particular piece of art. That is... until I saw Be Discovered, By Katie.
For the first time, when I saw this painting, I found myself studying every angle, every brush stroke and I just really felt connected to the woman in this painting. Especially in her eyes, there's such beauty, magic and unknown mystery in her eyes. I found myself just staring at it wondering what she was thinking. I have not seen the original painting in person, but hope that I get to one day. It's such an incredible piece. I began exploring other paintings of Katie's and was just floored with the magic in all of them. There's a beauty that she captures about motherhood - that just isn't found in other art that I've seen. Katie does justice to the real image of motherhood - not the Hallmark card. There's no rosy gloss covered mama with that empty adoring smile you see in so many portrayals of motherhood. One of the pieces that reflects this so perfectly to me is Flu Baby...
Because I love Katie's paintings so much I decided to join her Saving Motherhood Circle. An exclusive collector's circle that grants various perks for three months. Each month I get to choose a print of my choice - Of course my first print choice was Be Discovered - which I am still searching for the perfect frame for. The group also offers a canvas tote bag that I have been loving for farmer's market season, handmade glass art magnets, 10 full color 5X7 art cards which I plan on framing, various coupon codes to the gallery purchases.
My favorite aspect of the Collector's Circle though has been the mini-mama blessing packs, and the insider's peak at Revolution. Revolution is the painting that Katie was working on during the course of this Collector's Circle and through it she has been sending us videos of her thought process as she paints the piece and her methods. It's been so inspiring to see her work unfold before her, and how it comes to life through her thoughts. It's just incredible. We'll be receiving a limited edition print of the art and I cannot wait!!
The Mama-Blessing Packs have also been a really amazing piece for me - and honestly, something that I want to continue long after I hand out these 7 mama blessing packs. Katie has created these mini packs that have a tea bag, chocolate and reprint of one of Katie's pieces on a button, along with a card that says "You make a difference. Pass it on." The idea is to pass out these packs to mothers that we don't know - random strangers that we happen to run in to that you for some reason, connect with in a moment and want to acknowledge. I gave out my first mama blessing pack to a mama who was so gently responding to her toddler's tantrum, and I have to say it really warmed my heart. On the back, these cards are blank and I wrote a little message on the back of them about me, Katie's circle, and the meaning behind the packs - asking the mother's to pay it forward in whatever way they can - and in tough times to remember that a perfect stranger was inspired by their gentle mothering spirit and love. It's so beautiful and I cannot thank Katie enough for bringing this to me. I'm sure the reaches of this gesture by Katie will spread across the globe in a trickle effect and touch more mothers, fathers and children in a reach further than Katie, or any of us, could ever imagine.
All in all, pretty amazing stuff... and I'm so thrilled to be a part of it. This year's Saving Motherhood Circle is closed for registration but keep an eye as Katie is planning on offering it again. In the mean time, connect with her on Facebook!! And heck - you don't need to be an artist to create small inexpensive tokens to honour and show appreciation to others - whether it's mothers, or any other person you wish to pass a little love on to. We can all use a little reminder that we're not in any of this alone.
(And in case you're wondering - No, I haven't received anything for this post. I just simply love Katie's work, and have been so moved by being part of the Saving Motherhood Collection I just wanted to share it with all of you.)
