3.02.2009

Who Does She Think She Is?

Like so many women, I'm still learning how to balance mothering with my own creative pursuits. So when I saw this trailer for Pamela Tanner Boll's documentary Who Does She Think She Is? I was intrigued. The film is being screened at a college near my home on Friday night and if I can successfully flee my nest, I really want to go see it.



The documentary features five women who refuse to choose between mothering and their art. I am curious how they do it. Since my grand declaration to sell my novel, I have spent not one minute writing, as a feverish, little chick has required what feels like every moment. And there is always something ready to take priority over a creative project. I know there is a balance to be achieved, an equilibrium of family and creativity.

Children offer so much creative inspiration, motherhood appears the ideal time for women to write, paint, sew and make - if they choose - their art or craft their work. I'm interested to see how the women in this documentary are harmonizing mothering and creating.

And I'd really love to hear your thoughts on the subject too!

5 comments:

Liquid Pen said...

Well
that is just about perfect!
I must see this...maybe we can get there together...thanks so much for the post...not 10 minutes earlier I sat down with Megen to talk about how I should just paint...you know in between laundry and dishes and such...maybe even in a studio and maybe even show it...HaHa

Anonymous said...

This looks like a good doc. I have been told by many of mamas of older children that it gets SO MUCH EASIER as they become more independent. I think the trick when they are young is not loosing the will to create. Then, as time presents itself more and more, use those moments to let the energy flow. It feels like stagnancy in some ways, but I can't deny the opportunities for creation - how ever small they are - slowly coming back around. And hey, I ignore my kids sometimes, just to get a few thoughts out in written word. ;)

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOD. I MUST SEE THIS.

I think it is SO important to make the time to create, in any form. I may not be able to pull out my oil paints right now, but I can certainly stitch a quilt or knit a sock.

Anonymous said...

Okay. I think the universe is trying to tell me something. Did you see SouleMama today?

Cassie said...

Keep your notebook open on the kitchen counter and your paints handy on the dining room table...you will be amazed at what you can accomplish while you wait for the water to boil. Oh, and set a timer on your computer time...which just cost me an hour of painting time because your blogs are so much fun!!
Love you!