ARTISTS STATEMENT
Balancing work and parenting has been tougher than I imagined. Explaining why I have to leave for work when my son was little was heartbreaking, but the joy of returning home made up for it. Hearing “Mommy, you’re home!” followed by a request to play with trains or Minecraft always melted my heart. On difficult days, though, that constant “Play with me, Mommy” can be overwhelming. Work, life, and exhaustion pile up, and guilt follows when I realize how fleeting these moments are. I know one day, he’ll grow up and stop asking. Rather than letting guilt or frustration take over, I’ve found a way to balance both worlds—we make art together. Watercolors, crayons, and his toys all come into play. After our creations dry, I work back into them with stamps, ink, and mixed media. I get to teach him about one of the things I love most—art—he gets to be creative with me, and when the collaborative part is done, I have my quiet time when he’s asleep to process my thoughts on life as a working mom, how much my perspective has changed since becoming a mother, and processing my feelings about the world he will grow up in.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I graduated from Notre Dame of Maryland University, in Baltimore, MD, where I earned a BA in Studio Art and Art History (’03), and the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I earned a MFA in Painting (’06). My work has been selected for exhibitions in my home state of Maryland as well as in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia and California. Several pieces are held in the collection of the Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Maryland University College and private collections in Maryland and South Carolina. I currently work at the Community College of Baltimore County as the Gallery Coordinator of the Catonsville, Dundalk and Essex Galleries, thegalleriesatccbc.com and consult on the care and presentation of the College Visual Art and Cultural Artifact Collection. As The Barefoot Gallerist on Medium.com, I explore the intersection of art and everyday life, sharing insights on the creative process and the often unseen labor behind curating exhibitions and running a gallery (or in my case, galleries). With a touch of humor and personal anecdotes, I aim to make art more relatable and accessible, highlighting the importance of community and connection in the art world.
© Nicole Buckingham Kern