The Therapeutic Benefits of Watercolor Painting for New Moms
On April 7th I became a mom. My daughter came 3 weeks early. Everything in my life hit pause as I spent 14 days in the hospital. It really affected me not being able to stand outside in the sun, paint in my studio, or even express myself creatively. All I saw was a hospital room for 14 days. My husband brought me flowers and watercolor paints to my room so I could feel like I was at home again.
I share this experience because maybe it will help you if you are expecting. Post partum can be traumatic. If you’re a new mom or pregnant and expecting, art can be very healing and watercolor painting is a great entry point. This article is about the therapy of watercolor for new moms. Everyone has a different birth story and your story is important. You can find a refuge in art.
Stress Relief and Relaxation: The demands of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming, leaving new mothers with little time for themselves. Engaging in watercolor painting lowers the heart rate and shifts the mind away from task-oriented projects. With long task lists, strict feeding schedules, and physical strain, watercolor painting can set the tone for healing and self care.
Emotional Expression: Motherhood is a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from profound love and joy to moments of doubt and frustration. I personally had to heal emotionally and physically in many ways I cannot put to words. Watercolor painting offers a non-verbal means of expressing these complex feelings. It’s a beautiful way to express emotions that you may not feel comfortable journaling. If your birth experience was traumatic, you may find a release of these emotions through the creation of art. Perhaps you don’t feel ready to talk about these emotions yet. You can express them with non verbal communication in painting.
Color exploration: Color is a great way to express emotion through art. You can explore different colors in painting that trigger emotional responses. Color is very deeply connected with emotions. The birth experience is filled with a lot of emotions. For some there are traumatic experiences and moments that might trigger feelings of guilt, shame, or generalized emotional pain. I will share one feeling as an example in case this is helpful for you. I was kept in the ICU for two days immmediately after the birth and did not see my daughter for 24 hours. I felt a deep sense of guilt for not seeing my daughter and a sense that she felt abandoned even though her father was with her that whole time. Most mothers get to see their child immediately after the birth for the golden hour. It left me emotional trauma to work through because I was unable to see her for two days. I’m sharing this because there may be feelings or emotions that you need to work through, feel shame or guilt in expressing and cannot talk about and painting is a great way of experiencing these emotions so you can move into healing. You can pick a color or a subject that represents the feelings you are trying to move through. There are a lot of art therapy techniques for healing these emotions.
Mindfulness and Presence: The practice of watercolor painting encourages mindfulness as the medium is very freeing and expressive. It’s difficult to control water so you must be present in the moment. You can pair this experience with guided meditation, healing frequency music, and art therapy practices. Even setting aside just 10-20 minutes a day can be very healing for new mothers. It’s difficult to find time to set aside for oneself when a new baby joins the family. I have found in the early morning when my husband starts working and the baby has been fed, she sleeps for at least an hour and this is a great time for me to meditate and start my art practice, even for just a few minutes.
Self-Discovery and Creativity: Becoming a mother often prompts a period of self-reflection and personal growth. Watercolor painting serves as a catalyst for self-discovery, enabling new moms to explore their creativity and uncover hidden talents. As they experiment with different techniques and styles, they gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their unique artistic voice. Whether it's through abstract compositions or realistic portrayals, each brushstroke becomes a testament to their journey of self-expression and discovery.
Connection and Community: While motherhood can sometimes feel isolating, engaging in watercolor painting opens the door to a vibrant community of fellow artists and mothers. Through local classes, online forums, and social media groups, new moms can connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for creativity and motherhood. These connections provide valuable support, encouragement, and inspiration, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie amidst the challenges of early parenthood. If you’d like to join a thriving watercolor community, I have a large watercolor artist group on Gab where creatives share their work and get feedback.
In the whirlwind of early motherhood, finding moments of peace and self-care is essential for the well-being of both mother and child. Watercolor painting offers new moms a sanctuary for self-expression, creativity, and emotional healing. I’m personally exploring the new directions in my art, my style of painting, and new inspiration for subject matter. I also recommend meditation alongside watercolor painting. My favorite meditation process is through Mindvalley, I discovered it a year ago and it has helped me to do focused meditations to bring down anxiety, visualize your goals, and move through a process of self discovery. I highly recommend meditation for new moms and for artists trying to discovery their signature style.