{"product_id":"painting-motherhood-hit-me-like-a-train-cross-country-2","title":"Painting - Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #2","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eMotherhood Hit Me Like a Train\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eCross-Country #2\u003c\/em\u003e, 2021-22, Watercolour on Paper, 36\" x 36\" is the second large painting in this series. This abstract painting has been commissioned by RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) for a limited edition fine art print for its corporate collection of fine artwork. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease note that this original painted artwork on paper is framed. 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\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 a large 36” x 36” 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\u003eThis abstract Motherhood \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eHit Me Like a Train \u003c\/span\u003epainting was exhibited in:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2022, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Booth A-24, July 15th to 17th, 2022 in Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rachael Grad","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42342912688366,"sku":"","price":1099.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0209\/3858\/8224\/products\/MotherhoodHitMeLIkeaTrain_Cross-Country_2_January72022.jpg?v=1642497556","url":"https:\/\/rachaelgrad.myshopify.com\/products\/painting-motherhood-hit-me-like-a-train-cross-country-2","provider":"Rachael Grad - Contemporary Artist","version":"1.0","type":"link"}