{"product_id":"painting-motherhood-hit-me-like-a-train-diptych-rosie-coloured-windows","title":"Painting: Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train (Diptych), Rosie-Coloured Windows","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMotherhood Hit Me Like a Train\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003e(Diptych): Rosie-Coloured Windows,\u003c\/em\u003e 2024, an original Watercolour on two Canvases, each measuring 24\" x 36\" x 1.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePlease note that these paintings on canvas are not framed. Framing is available for an additional fee. Delivery is free within the Greater Toronto area. Other locations may incur additional shipping costs. \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis original diptych, meaning two panel painting, was shown in March 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Inspiration and Background Story of the Abstract Painting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRolling a toy train across my artwork is a not so subtle metaphor for being a mother and artist. Motherhood hit me like a train. My art completely changed course when I became a mother. Toys have taken over my home and my artwork and they are always in mind and in my way. So for this artwork I tried to reverse the ubiquitous toy train and turn it into a paintbrush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy children often join in on my painting and drawing, and other artwork. Usually I do not appreciate this overtaking or co-collaboration in my art. Over the years, I have tried to accept that children thrive on creative art projects, so I have started incorporating them into certain projects, both for family fun and for school (theirs and mine!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo express motherhood in body and gesture, I used a small toy train with six wheels to make fluid marks across the canvas surface. I tested various brush strokes and differing marks with the toy train, including quick pushing of the train to letting it move on its own across the page. I decided on a sweeping arm motion as my one mark. I found the rolling motion to be a more satisfying way of using the train, as compared to dabbing it like a stamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis chosen rolling motion required loading up significant water and pigment for each mark run. In order for the paint colour to show up on the paper, I had to heavily press down on the toy train during the entire rolling mark movement. Though I heavily pressed into the train for the duration of the motion, I was usually unable to equally apply the paint throughout the same mark. I made the large arm movements both while standing over the paper and also while sitting or kneeling beside it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mark making proved to be unexpectedly tiring for my arm and back. Ironically, working in this way caused the same physical exhaustion, aches and pains as those I experienced after childbirth, as a mother to a newborn. I had to work in short bursts and take many breaks while creating this painting. Resting alone and respite from one’s own kids is also highly recommended when mothering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eRead about my first \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMotherhood Hit Me Like a Train painting, which was sold to a New York art collector, in this Blog Post: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rachaelgrad.com\/blogs\/art-blog\/recently-sold-artwork\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRecently Sold \u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca title=\"Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train painting sold to a New York art collector\" href=\"https:\/\/rachaelgrad.com\/blogs\/art-blog\/recently-sold-artwork\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePainting\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e","brand":"Rachael Grad","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46030620917998,"sku":null,"price":1600.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0209\/3858\/8224\/files\/Motherhood_Hit_Me_Like_a_Train_Diptych_painting_by_Rachael_Grad.jpg?v=1734962902","url":"https:\/\/rachaelgrad.myshopify.com\/en-ca\/products\/painting-motherhood-hit-me-like-a-train-diptych-rosie-coloured-windows","provider":"Rachael Grad - Contemporary Artist","version":"1.0","type":"link"}