Jamie Smith

Instagram: @jamiesmithart

Bio: Jamie is an artist, wife, and mother in her 30’s living in San Francisco. Born and raised in Idaho, she studied French language and literature at the University of Idaho. Art has long been a hobby and an outlet of hers, but during the isolation of 2020’s quarantine (combined with being a new mom), it became more of a lifeline. Through this rediscovered passion, Jamie has been using her art to work through and share some of the new life changes she is experiencing and processing older emotions. The intention behind her body of work is that the delicate nature of the florals, and of the watercolor to depict them, are highlighted by the stark nature of the acrylic backgrounds. She hopes that in sharing this work, she can connect with other people who may be experiencing the same things and celebrate their strength.

Statement: This project was born from books. I began with “Delicate Condition” by Danielle Valentine, a novel a slightly exaggerated body horror depicting a woman’s journey through pregnancy. It occurred to me how many people (me included) have such intensely graphic stories from their pregnancy experiences. Going into motherhood is usually a continuation of these- “My periods are heavier” “My hair fell out” “My abs never fully reconnected” Becoming a mother leaves more physical, emotional, and mental scars than anything else I’ve ever experienced and yet it is something that happens literally every single day. Every day someone is becoming an entirely new person, their world completely shifting on it’s axis.. It is gross and beautiful and earth shattering and commonplace. What other experience can hold that many truths? These paintings explore the physical transformation into motherhood, the different parts of the body that are forever changed. Each flower was picked specifically for it’s meaning, and it’s relationship to that part of the body. I hope these resonate with your mothering experience and help you to see the beauty in the scars it leaves behind.