Rachael Grad

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 abstract artwork sold to a New York City collector while on view in SOHO, NYC.

“The Inspiration and Background Story of the 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 artist. I felt that motherhood hit me like a train and incorporated that feeling into my artwork. My drawing and painting practice 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. For this first artwork in this series I tried to reverse the ubiquitous toy train and turn it into a paintbrush.My children often join in on my painting, drawing, collages, and studio artwork. At first, I did not appreciate my kids' overtaking or co-collaboration in my art. Over the years, I have grown to accept that children thrive on creative art projects. I have intentionally started including my kids and sometimes their friends into certain projects, both for family activities and for school projects.To 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 mrk. I found the rolling motion to be a more satisfying way of using the train, as compared to dabbing it like a stamp.Surprisingly, the mark making was unexpectedly tiring for my arm and back. Ironically, working in this way causes the same physical exhaustion, aches and pains as those I experienced after childbirth, as a mother to a newborn. I was forced 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.”