Giving Birth (again)
Except it’s different this time.
I’m haven’t been pregnant, at least not with a physical baby.
I’ve been pregnant with art ideas.
Yesterday, those ideas (and the art that expresses them) were birthed into a website and company that together we named “Lillybeth.”
……………………………………………………
Lillybeth is my first creative baby, and I have to say that thus far, it’s been a lot like giving birth.
Thank God that Paul did most, if not all, of the work on the website. So the “labor and delivery” part wasn’t an excruciatingly painful experience.
No, I’m talking more about the thoughts and feelings I had just before, during, and for days and weeks after giving birth. If you’re a mother, you know just exactly what I’m talking about.
There are the fearful thoughts and feelings, like these:
Can I really do this?
This is really scary…I have no idea what I’m doing!
What if something goes wrong? What could go wrong?
I’ve read so many books about this, but I feel so unprepared.
Who am I kidding! I don’t know how to be a mother! (read:artist)
Will my child be loved, accepted, and appreciated for who she is?
And then there are the excited, happy and hopeful thoughts, like these:
What is the baby going to look like? Me? My husband?!
My friends are going to just eat this baby up!
This child is the product of the love and passion I have in my heart. What a blessing!
I can’t wait for everyone to come see her!
I just love this baby, and I don’t care if no one else sees the beauty in her. I do.
I can barely believe that I’m a mother (read:artist) now!
I can’t wait to see what she’ll become!
As I’m writing this, I find myself hoping for the very same comments that we got (and often still do) when both Jane and Elizabeth were babies.
“Cathy. She’s beautiful.”
“What a cutie!”
“Ohmigosh. She’s gorgeous.”
“They’re so pretty.”
(My response is always a blushing, elated, “Thanks.”)
Now, I’m proud of my girls, and love them whether other people think they’re beautiful or not.
It gives me special pleasure, though, when other people recognize the beauty and uniqueness of each of them that I see.
Same with my new baby, Lillybeth.
So come by our house and see our new little girl.
Hopefully you’ll see a future beauty in the midst of her newborn state.
And of course, as she changes every day and week, we’ll have photos to document it.
Filed under: General, Catbird, Random Thoughts, Lillybeth on February 1st, 2007
Congratulations on the new baby!! You’re artwork’s always beautiful, Cathy. No worries there.
That card looks familiar!!
It still sits on my counter to remind me of you (not that I need a visible reminder of you to make me think of you often.)
I’m excited to see where God takes you with this!!
Thanks, Amy and Rin. You guys are a big part of why I have the confidence to pursue this art!
Cathy, those are beautiful! Congratulations on your new adventure.
You just totally amaze me. Is there anything that you aren’t good at?? (grin)
As I said on the other site, I’m so excited you’re doing this! I ditto Bonnie’s comment. You have so many talents! What’s the story behind the name “Lillybeth”? My first thought was Elizabeth.
You’re freakin’ awesome! I’m so impressed and I can say “I knew you when.”
Love it!
Those are really cute!!!
I think I may have missed something somewhere, but are you making these to sell? If so, Where do people buy them? How much? Etc.
Great job, Cathy. You are so talented!
The artwork is GREAT! You are so gifted and creative…I had no idea in how many different areas. It’s all so good (baby faces are very funny, too) but, I LOVE the white on white series - the lilies are beautiful.