Balancing Act, Oil on Canvas

Eleni Kilbride
"A Mothers Art"
Oil Paintings

Artist Statement: Over the years I have enjoyed making artwork that reflects on my journey of motherhood, specifically pertaining to the connections I have built with my children. One way this has been shown is in oil and water-based paintings as well as mixed media collages. With these mediums I choose to elaborate on candid moments in play that I observe my children in. A couple heavier areas of motherhood I like to explore are postpartum stages and the concept of identity. Painting, playing with colour and texture, has always been one of my favourite ways to do this. I enjoy working with a variety of canvases as well including a standard canvas, masonite and wood, and rocks.

Biography: Born and raised in Brandon, MB, this where my husband and I are also situated with our children. For the better part of a decade I have been enrolled in the Visual and Aboriginal Arts department at Brandon University. I have attended full time, part time, and casually while tailoring my schedule to fit the needs of my growing family. This has helped me to balance my studies with the roles of motherhood and working as an Early Childhood Educator II (ECE). Many influences I have pertaining to my art stem from life experiences with some of those including learning to navigate our way through neurodiversity; specifically related to epilepsy and autism. As I have dedicated the last decade to being the primary caregiver and advocate for our children I have found solace in taking some time for myself in the studio, creating artworks and embracing my creativity.