Artwork Collection

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series

Rolling a toy train across my artwork is a not-so-subtle metaphor for being a mother and an artist. When I became a mother, my art changed course. Toys overtook my home and artwork. In this series I reverse the ubiquitous toy train and turn it into a paintbrush. The sweeping motion of this mark making is unexpectedly tiring for my arm and back, like the physical aches experienced when mothering newborns. The playful colour works versus dark black images reflect the 24-hour nature of mom duties.

abstract colour lines works on paper colourful motherhood trains

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Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train

The first painting in my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series was awarded a 2021 Mercedes Matter Art Award and shown in a group art exhibition at the Margalit Gallery, in SOHO, New York City from October 7th 2021 through December 31st, 2021. The... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #2
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #2

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #2

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #2, 2021, Ink on Paper, 14" x 11." The Grey Line abstract painting series is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with black ink on heavy weight watercolor... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #2
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #2

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #2

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #2, 2021-22, Watercolour on Paper, 36" x 36" is the second large painting in this series. This painting has been commissioned by RBC for a limited edition fine art print. THE INSPIRATION AND... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5, 2021, Watercolor and Metallics on Paper, 11" x 14." The colourful abstract painting is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with watercolor heavyweight... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #4
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #4

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #4

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #4, 2021, Ink on Paper, 14" x 11." The Grey Line abstract painting series is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with black ink on heavy weight watercolor... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #8
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #8

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #8

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #8, 2022, Ink on Paper, 12" x 9." The Grey Line abstract painting series is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with black ink on heavy weight watercolor... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #2
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #2

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #2

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #2, 2021, Watercolor on Paper, 11" x 14." The colourful abstract painting is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with watercolor heavyweight watercolor paper.... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #3
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #3

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #3

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Cross-Country #3, 2021-22, Watercolour on Paper, 36" x 36" is the third large painting in this series. This painting was made by dipping a small Thomas the Train toy into watercolour paint and rolling it across paper... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #5, 2021, Ink on Paper, 14" x 11." The Grey Line abstract painting series is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with black ink on heavy weight watercolor... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #9
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #9

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #9

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #9, 2022, Ink on Paper, 12" x 9." The Grey Line abstract painting series is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with black ink on heavy weight watercolor... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #1
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #1

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #1

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #1, 2021, Ink on Paper, 14" x 11." The Grey Line abstract painting series is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with black ink on heavy weight watercolor... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #3
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #3

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #3

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #3, 2021, Watercolor on Paper, 11" x 14." The colourful abstract painting is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with watercolor heavyweight watercolor paper.... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #3
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #3

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #3

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Grey Line #3, 2021, Ink on Paper, 14" x 11." The Grey Line abstract painting series is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with black ink on heavy weight watercolor... More

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #4
Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #4

Painting

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #4

Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train, Route #5, 2021, Watercolor on Paper, 11" x 14." The colourful abstract painting is part of my Motherhood Hit Me Like a Train Series. This original artwork is painted with watercolor heavyweight watercolor paper.... More

Work by

Rachael Grad

Drawing and Painting

“Motherhood is mayhem. My art subjects reflect parenting moments, and my painting technique is a reference to, and mocking of, art history movements such as the machismo of the Abstract Expressionist...” [More]