I watched a reel about motherhood, about the constant distractions and interruptions, how crazy that feels internally. I love her analogy: too many tabs open that seldom get closed. A constant navigation through pop-up reminders, new requests, and that feeling of overwhelm.
I relate to everything here. But the Open Tabs analogy really stuck with me. I started thinking about how that relates to creating art. Maybe these mental gymnastics of motherhood help me create.
Original Images
I took this photograph while waiting for an appointment and exploring the exterior of downtown buildings. It was an opportunity to look at very average things with more attention, things I normally would just walk right past. One tab left open.
I saw this blue dress while shopping with my daughter, and I thought it would be good for portraits. I saved a few self-portraits to use at some point. One tab left open.
Waterfall images taken with my phone in Iceland. Another tab left open.
I bought this butterfly layer to use for an image years ago, and continue to use it from time to time. Tab open.
A painting texture from my most recent attempt, intentionally created for use at some later date. One of many tabs left open.
Coming Together
Perhaps being practiced at navigating endless open tabs in one area of my life allows me to relax into that experience in another. I know how to juggle.
I started with the strongest inspiration, and for this one it was the pipe fixed to the wall. From there, I flip through all my open tabs until something pulls at me. Trial and error as I add and remove.
And that’s just one take away from this image for me, relaxing into it all. Being open to what comes your way and holding open tabs lightly. Accepting that sometimes I miss things and an acknowledgment that it is hard and beautiful at the same time.
