When he gets picked-up by a grandma for the day, I miss him before he’s out the door. And then after that, I waste no time and get straight to work. This is especially true if I’m working on deadline to finish one of my reverse painted chandeliers. Every hour of that day is utilized to the best of my abilities because I’m aware that…

a) I’m losing out by not spending time with him
b) he’s going to grow up so quickly
c) you don’t get these young years back to re-do with your child
d) and lastly, I have some serious work to get off my plate—all deadline driven.

These are the thoughts that keep me motivated. They keep my brush moving. Or my fingers typing. Or my mind brainstorming. These thoughts get me into my workshop even when I don’t feel like finishing iron fixtures for my painted chandeliers. Usually I know exactly what must be accomplished in the hours during the day when I don’t have my son with me here in the studio. I am blessed that he can be watched over by family closest to him.

Right before I ready him to leave for a day of ultra fun activities, I feel a little sad and I try to hug him a bit extra all while trying to get him to brush teeth, go potty and/or put socks or shoes on. My studio work days usually start a bit on the late side, around 10am after I make my little guy breakfast and snuggle him in between answering a few emails. When a grandparent shows up, he’s ready to go! Sometimes I get sweet goodbye kisses at the door and other times he just runs out, excited to do whatever fun activity is planned that day.

I’m not sure how other mother’s who work full time and commute somewhere feel. How long does it takes them to get over the longing after they drop their little ones off at day care for a day of work? Do they adjust to it after a month or two? I’m glad that it’s not something I have to deal with…and I’m sure dads must feel like they miss out a bit while they are at work during the day.

Just knowing he’s having fun and being loved…not to mention getting spoiled helps keep me motivated because I know that this time that I will spend working, creating a new reverse painted glass chandelier or a beautiful tropical themed oil or watercolor painting—I’ll never get this precious time back with him. My business is quite complex and there is always so much for me to do. I will never be able to complain that it’s boring because there is always an endless number of creative ideas that I have yet to put out into the world and for that I’m grateful!

What I hope that my son gains from seeing his mother working—and I am a highly successful artist at the top of my field—is that he sees a business being run and discipline. I hope that he sees that it’s important to learn to think out of the box and treat others well. Hard work is what our nation was founded on and it certainly helps an artist like myself thrive in a business in which nobody really needs what you do to survive.

The pictures that I’m sharing with you here show my little guy, Charlie, painting. At least once or twice a week I squeeze a little bit of “Charlie/mommy studio” time where we both work side by side—both of us working in watercolor . You can see that even though he is not even 3 yet, he’s learning some basics and loving it—he’s so expressive. He begs to paint! This is an activity that I hope we can share together more and more as he continues to grow up. I just love him so much, as I know every working mother loves their child.