{"product_id":"painting-motherhood-hit-me-like-a-train-mid-line-4","title":"Painting: Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Mid-Line #4","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eMotherhood Hit Me Like a Train\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMid-Line #4,\u003c\/em\u003e 2024, an original Watercolour on Paper measuring 30\" x 22.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease note that this artwork on paper is framed. The painting can be shipped framed or removed from the frame and shipped in a mailing tube. 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\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original painting was on view at the Gallery at the J in March 2024. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\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 watercolour paper. 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\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 href=\"https:\/\/rachaelgrad.com\/blogs\/art-blog\/recently-sold-artwork\" title=\"Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train painting sold to a New York art collector\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePainting\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArtwork from my \"Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train\" painting series is in the permanent collections of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Bank of Montreal, Altree Developments and private collections in New York and Toronto. \u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Rachael Grad","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46744600707310,"sku":null,"price":900.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0209\/3858\/8224\/files\/Motherhood_Hit_Me_Like_a_Train_Mid-Line_4_2024_on_view_at_the_Gallery_at_the_J_in_March_2024_framed.jpg?v=1752180631","url":"https:\/\/rachaelgrad.myshopify.com\/en-ca\/products\/painting-motherhood-hit-me-like-a-train-mid-line-4","provider":"Rachael Grad - Contemporary Artist","version":"1.0","type":"link"}