There is a death with every birth. When giving birth to a child, the birthing person welcomes a new version of themselves, and instantly, their former identity dies. This instant death was something I was not prepared for. I watched my heart beat outside my chest with a joy that illuminated every fiber of my being. While also feeling parts of me grow colorless, untouchable, and unresponsive to this new joy.

The months after giving birth proved to be a difficult transition. There is a child, my child, that commands nurturing, while also finding my footing with the new identity of Mother and interacting with a world that does not recognize or respect my new position making the days overwhelming and difficult.

But with my child's help, I am beginning to embrace the second birth. She requires only my presence. A presence without armor. With honor and gratitude, I put to rest those former selves and thank them for making way for the new. In this second life, this second chance I am free.

This body of work explores these emotions through abstraction, minimal line-making, saturated color, and musical composition. In New Orleans, we celebrate the dead, and with this work, I continue the tradition while looking forward to the new.

On view at the George Washington Carver Museum in Austin, TX, January 11th - April 20th.

The Black Room

The Black Room is the first to be experienced in the exhibition. This room represents my experience with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.

The Black Room

Calls Unanswered

I moved to a new city before I learned I was pregnant. I was far away from my family and friends. As is the experience of many birthing people the community wasn’t there and those who were within arms reach seemed to be preoccupied with their affairs.

Mixed media, 2023

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

Under These Stars, I Lay to Rest

The formation is my interpretation of the constellation Pisces with the Great Square of Pegasus, the constellation present in the sky when my child was born.

In my series “Paying Reverence to The Altar of Memories” I used portraits of myself at different ages in all of the works. I had one portrait left over that I did not use. It did not speak to me then, but now it has found a home in this piece taking the place of the Great Square of Pegasus.

Sometimes you just need to make work and years later, it makes sense.

MIxed Media on Birchwood Panels, 80x84” 2023

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

The Quiet Fog

The impairment of maternal cognition is a real phenomenon. I believe it is nature’s way of telling you what is important. But in a world focused on financial quarters, and scalable, measurable corporate growth, it is seen as a woman’s problem.

Acrylic on Birchwood Panel, 36x48", 2023

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

Unsolicited Advice

Being a new parent comes with advice, oftentimes unsolicited. I feel as a Mother it is especially harassing when it comes to how the baby is being fed.

Acrylic and Rust on BirchwoodPanel, 36x48”

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

Sitting with Anxiety, I

The rocking chair is seen as a symbol of wisdom, comfort, and to soothe and promote sleep in babies. I painted the chair black and used thermal paint that is sensitive to touch to represent my experience with postpartum anxiety.

Conquering the Dark

Throughout postpartum and finding my footing, the brightest light was my child. This kept me anchored and cut through the despair I was experiencing.

Acrylic on Birchwood Panel, 5’

Sold

The Pink Room

This room has been designed to be experienced last. This room represents my experience with the brighter side of new motherhood and bonding with the new addition to our family.

She was Named After the Light

This rocking chair represents my daughter, her name meaning and I wanted to play on the throne that infant Jesus is often depicted sitting on.

Wake, Sleep, and Feeding Windows

Acrylic, Silver Leaf, and Copper Leaf on Birchwood Panel, 2023

Softening My Focus

Children deserve the softer side of their parents as well as the side that may require armor. We can stay focused on their protection and guidance while softening ourselves.

Acrylic, 22k Gold Leaf, and Copper Leaf on Canvas, 36x36”

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

The Beginning of Our Nest

I will always be a place for my child to land, no matter the age. As I learn what they need, how to effectively communicate, boundary making, etc… a new part of our nest is made.

Acrylic, 22k Gold Leaf, and Copper Leaf on Canvas, 48x48”

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

Maternal Chaos, Coordinated

Coordination, balancing, and planning reign supreme in my new role as a Mother. Some aspects of my life have not changed and somehow I must find a way to be fully present in every role.

Acrylic, Copper Leaf, and 22 k Gold Leaf on Canvas, 36x48”, 2023

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

I Find Strength at Dawn

Nights and night feedings were difficult for me. I often met the sun when it started to break through. The sense of relief is indescribable. My daughter also seemed to like the mornings, she would sleep for a few hours uninterrupted.

Copper Leaf and Acrylic on Canvas,36x48”,2023

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

Burgeoning

Silver Leaf, 22k Gold Leaf, and Copper Leaf on Birchwood Pane,5’ 2023

Available for collection. email aimeemeverettart@gmail.com

This was my first time working with musicians to create an accompaniment to my work. I wanted the show to be immersive in more than a visual way. I gave direction through musical examples and the statement for this series and they created magic. I wanted to convey duality, darkness followed by light. I love stringed instruments, the fiddle/violin being my favorite.

My friend Jess Baldissero is also a new parent and an amazing fiddle player. She was kind enough to work with me and I'll be forever thankful.

Carl Nichols created the intro and outro with an enveloping ambiance. He also shares this journey of new parenthood with me making this song even more special.