Finding Light in Darkness: Lost Marbles Collection

The Emotional Journey Behind My Collection

Life often presents us with moments of profound change, moments that challenge the very core of our being. For me, one of these defining periods was the time surrounding my pregnancy and the early days of motherhood. It was a time marked by intense emotional highs and lows—a spectrum of feelings I could never have anticipated. My recent collection of paintings, which I’m honored to share on this platform, was born from this complex journey.

The Intersection of Art and Emotion

Art has always been a personal outlet for me—a way to process the world around me and express what words often fail to capture. But during my pregnancy, and the turbulent months that followed, art became something even more. It became my refuge, my way of making sense of the uncertainty, fear, and, ultimately, the quiet strength I found within myself.

This collection is deeply personal. The dark tones, deep blues, and broken streaks of white and beige that dominate these paintings aren’t just a stylistic choice—they are reflections of the emotions that I carried with me through that time.

Embracing the Dark and the Light

The blues in the paintings—sometimes soft, sometimes sharp—represent the ocean of feelings that washed over me. Blue is often associated with calm, but in these pieces, it holds a more dual meaning: at times serene, but often turbulent and deep, mirroring the overwhelming emotions of new life and the unknown future ahead.

Yet, amidst the dark tones, white and beige break through—symbols of hope and light. These interruptions aren’t perfect or symmetrical, much like my own journey. They represent moments of clarity and strength, when the fog of self-doubt lifted and I felt empowered by the new role of motherhood. It wasn’t a smooth process, but these brighter tones signify the resilience and hope that persisted, even when everything felt shadowed.

Motherhood: An Unlikely Muse

If someone had told me years ago that motherhood would become my muse, I wouldn’t have believed them. Yet here I am, creating some of the most important and deeply emotional work of my life, inspired by this experience.

Motherhood is often painted as a joyful, natural transition. But the reality, at least for me, was far more complex. It was raw, emotional, and often overwhelming. I wanted my art to reflect that complexity—the deep, sometimes unspoken emotional landscape that many mothers traverse.

My paintings are not just about the beauty of new life; they are about the strength it takes to embrace both the joy and the darkness that comes with it. Through this work, I found a way to channel the difficult emotions into something tangible, something that others might relate to.

Finding Hope in Creativity

This collection, though born from challenging emotions, ultimately tells a story of hope. Each piece represents a part of the journey—sometimes dark, sometimes chaotic—but always moving toward the light. The creative process itself became a form of healing for me. It was through painting that I began to find balance and peace, even when the external world felt overwhelming.

I hope that this collection resonates with those who view it. Whether you’re a mother, an artist, or someone who has walked through a challenging time, I believe there’s a shared experience in the feeling of transformation—of emerging from a difficult place stronger and more aware of the light that surrounds us.

A Personal Invitation

I invite you to explore this collection not just as a series of paintings, but as a narrative of personal growth. Each piece holds a story—of vulnerability, strength, hope, and the messy, beautiful journey of becoming a mother.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and view my work. I hope it speaks to you in some way, just as creating it helped me find clarity and purpose during one of the most pivotal times of my life.

Best, AO