Artistic Expressions: A Presence Felt and Retold
'Starry Night,’ by Marija Stefanović. Courtesy of the artist.
Motherhood is more than a biological bond or the act of giving birth. It reaches into many forms of care, protection, and quiet generosity. We see this clearly in nature, where nurturing seems woven into the fabric of the planet itself, a life-giving system that helps living beings survive, grow, and evolve.
That is why mothers, and the idea of motherhood, hold such a strong presence in the arts, especially in visual expression. Some artists portray their mothers to preserve their memory or to soften the pain of absence. Others see in the mother a symbol of unconditional giving and protection, a language through which they express love, identity, and a longing for comfort. For many, art becomes a space to reflect on the mother-child bond itself, exploring its layers, its intimacy, and its quiet complexities.
In art, the mother moves from being a person we see and touch to becoming a lasting trace. In this article, we explore how motherhood shows up in art, often in small, gentle details where her caring presence still quietly lives.
The Prague-based artist Marija Stefanović creates paintings filled with softness and comforting, nostalgic imagery that capture the warmth and life-giving spirit at the heart of her art.
When asked about her concept of motherhood, Marija shared her thoughts: "I see motherhood as a fundamental natural cycle, the creation of new life, and the woman as its essential conduit. When I paint scenes of motherhood I’m thinking not only of a mother and child, but of this larger, universal process unfolding in nature."
Speaking about what art means in her life, she said: "For me, art is a kind of bridge between myself and the world around me, between myself and society. Art gives me a voice and the opportunity not only to express myself, but also to be heard, to receive a response and feedback from people all over the world. In other words, it is simultaneously a way to speak and a way to be heard, which is very important for a creative person."
Marija has always wanted to be an artist whose work evokes warmth, kindness, and hope, qualities she believes are deeply needed in today’s world.
She simply paints in a way that feels true to her aesthetic vision and emotions, working with gouache and watercolor on paper.
Her wish is that when people look at her art, they glimpse the kind of world we all long to live in: beautiful, safe, comforting, and nurturing.
Discover Marija’s concept of motherhood through the following paintings:
‘Innocence,’ by Marija Stefanović. Courtesy of the artist.
‘Pies are for Sharing,’ by Marija Stefanović. Courtesy of the artist.
‘Apple Harvest,’ by Marija Stefanović. Courtesy of the artist.
‘Illustration of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott,’ by Marija Stefanović. Courtesy of the artist.
‘The Warmth of Mother's Hands,’ by Marija Stefanović. Courtesy of the artist.
“Giving is an effort that may succeed, and sometimes it may fail.” - Artist Rahaf AlShehri
In her work, Saudi artist Rahaf AlShehri looks at motherhood in a very human way. The mother in her paintings is not flawless or heroic in a grand sense, she is simply someone who keeps trying. She loves, she gives, and she learns. Sometimes she succeeds, and sometimes she falls short. Her giving may feel incomplete, whether to herself or to the child who sees it from the other side.
In Rahaf’s paintings, the mother is always in motion, reaching, caring, and searching for better ways. She carries a small light, as if holding a torch she lit with her own hands, hoping it will make the road clearer. That light can feel like a symbol of the quiet sacrifices mothers make, giving warmth and guidance even when they are tired.
Motherhood is not about being perfect; it is about continuing, about showing up, about trying again and about the everlasting mark that effort leaves behind.
'Shortsighted Giving,' by artist Rahaf AlShehri. 2023. Mixed media on canvas, 180 x 150 cm. Courtesy of the artist.
'Giving to the Point of Sacrifice,' by artist Rahaf AlShehri. 2022. Mixed media on canvas, 180 x 150 cm. Courtesy of the artist.
