Catherine Ricketts’ The Mother Artist: Portraits of Ambition, Limitation, and Creativity is a profound and empathetic exploration of the complex interplay between motherhood and artistic pursuit. Ricketts masterfully weaves together personal narratives, interviews, and reflections to depict the myriad ways in which mother artists navigate their dual roles. The book is an illuminating study of the challenges and triumphs faced by women striving to maintain their creative identities while embracing the demands of motherhood. Ricketts' thoughtful prose and insightful commentary highlight the sacrifices and innovations that define the mother artist’s journey. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection of creativity and family life, offering both inspiration and a deeper understanding of the resilience and resourcefulness of mother artists. ( )

The Mother Artist is about balancing one’s joy and drive of being an artist while also diving into the complexities of being a mother. I thought the author did such a good job of organizing the book into the relatable chapters and talking about artists who are mothers as well as working their craft. I loved how the author talked about the example of artists who have become mothers, take a maternity leave and come back to their craft, how much more confident and risky their craft becomes. It has deeper meaning, and the artist has become aware of different areas in her life to express and convey. I related so much to both the duality of being an artist and a mother and also the beautiful meshing of both worlds. This book highlights and discusses these issues. I loved the pictures in the middle of the book, and I was able to flip back and forth as the author talked about the different pieces. It does read more like an academic book but i found it Informative and interesting. ( )

As a mother of 5 whose lineage is made up of artistic women who prioritized motherhood over their artistic endeavors, I related to this author’s message and curiosity in this subject area. The book itself is written in a collegiate manner and reminded me of a book that would be required in a women’s study class. It was informative and relatable as a woman and mother. However, as a busy mother, I do not foresee other mothers picking up this book for casual light reading unless it pertains to their career because of its academic nature. I believe this subject is a subject that hasn’t been researched much in the past and should be discussed more in today’s society as women hold a great deal of creativity and passion for their work. As this author makes the point, that doesn’t seem to be prioritized in today’s society or in motherhood. ( )

I'm now 70% of the way through this book and feel competent to review it. I really have enjoyed and appreciated the material as presented by Catherine Ricketts. I like the way the book is organized- the chapters have a good flow. I really appreciate the inset of images, only wishing of course that there was room for MORE examples of the artwork described in the book. Very eye-opening. I can recommend this book for any person interested in the perspective of mothers as artists and as represented in art both modern and pre-modern. Several references to recent historical events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd murder and protests make the book feel very relevant. ( )