MAMa.art.
Los Angeles is full of talented moms. Some have been successful in Hollywood, others are excellent at raising children on their own and managing a home and others channel their free time toward their creative and artistic ambitions.
For the Mommy In Los Angeles® Magazine print launch party, our artwork organizer and curator, Nancy Lozano-Stecyk recruited a group of incredibly talented artists, most of whom are local moms, who willingly exhibited their artwork at InnerSpace Gallery. Art mediums ranged from ink prints, to balloon installations, color pencil sketches, oil on canvas, photography, textiles and even miniature furniture designs.
Not all artists’ work is represented below, however, please contact us at: info@MommyInLosAngeles.com if you captured photos of artwork not shown.
Carolina Adame
Re-birth of a Mother
Cannon 5D MarkIII 35 mm | Shutter Speed: 1/250 F stop: 2.2 ISO 400
A mother is birthing her second child. She takes in the moment with both an unfamiliar, yet nostalgic lens, as she is allowed to have the space to listen to her body.
Each time a mother gives birth, she is giving birth to a new part of herself. She either invites or lets go of experiences that will gently lead how this journey as a mother will look in this season of her life. As Carolina was taking this photograph, she says: “I felt the mother’s energy at its most powerful and vulnerable state, a moment of in between worlds.”
Connect with Carolina!
Instagram: @carolina_adame
Alyson Aliano
Real Mother
2006 – 2016
Self-funded for over ten years, Real Mother is a personal project Alyson Aliano started photographing when her twins, Hallie and Ellison, were 9 years old. When the twin girls were five, Alyson married their father, instantly becoming a parent at age 26.
Alyson recalls doing everything she thought a parent did: dentist appointments, parent-teacher conferences, play dates, sleep-overs and birthday parties. Every now and again, people would ask her, “Aren’t you going to have children?”
The implication was that, because she was a stepmom to Hallie and Ellison and they were not her biological children, she was not a “Real Mother.”
“I then began photographing any mother that would let me, anyone that would share their story, their experiences, anything,” says Alyson.
Since that time, Alyson divorced their father.
The twins’ biological mother and Alyson became friends and raised the girls together. The girls are 22 now.
Dani Bonnet
Electric beast
Pink & White Neon Art
This was Dani’s first statement piece. The neon artist says she was turning 25 and felt like she hadn’t done something “monumental”. She wanted to make something large and true to prove herself as an artist.
“Because cats have always been of huge symbolism to my life, I have such a deep, deep love for them, it felt right to make it that big in Pink neon,” she says.
Dani also designed the #LAMomsRock neon sign at the magazine launch party.
Connect with Dani!
Instagram: @dani_bonnet
Jessica Borutski
Front Yard Discoveries
8×8 digital paint on iPad Pro using Procreate
“I love capturing my son exploring the world around him and creating a cinematic representation of it. I am an Animation Director and I enjoy making simple moments feel bigger by presenting them in different views and angles.”
Connect with Jessica!
Instagram: @jessicaborutski
Crystal Correa
Hidden Faces
2004 | Acrylic on Canvas | 19 3/4 x 27 ½ inches
When Crystal was younger, she was filled with emotions of Envy, Greed and Rage. She had to hide most of them during that time because she felt society wanted to break her.
At the same time, she was working on her temper and her personal rage which was “let out” through this collection.
The canvas became her “safe place’. The colors were inspired by Hawaii, where she was living at the time. Because her home was paradise she felt she always had to force a smile, even when she was suffering on the inside.
“I was living in a very rich and colorful place and it became my color scheme,” says Crystal. “The world is not ‘black and white’ and just because you have a moment of weakness doesn’t mean that’s who you are forever.”
All three paintings have the color yellow as the “Sun,” a glowing light to follow through the darkness and guide people back to being their beautiful and colorful selves later. The paintings were also inspired by the Japanese saying “You have three faces. The first face, (Rage), you show to the world. The second face, (Envy), you show to your close friends, and your family. The third face, (Greed), you never show anyone.”
Visit: www.CPlusMediaProductions.com
Crystal Dominguez
Golden Goddess
2010 | Acrylic on Wood | 3′ x 4′
Inspired by her own self-love journey and learning to love her own body, Crystal painted this beautiful Golden Goddess, who is pushing down the darkness and fighting off the negative stories she has told herself about her own body and self-worth. As she pushes away the negativity she’s allowing for the beautiful vibrant positivity to embrace her and remind her how beautiful and valuable she really is.
“Body positivity to me is loving yourself regardless of what others think or feel about you. Shedding the false ugly stories we tell ourselves, like ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘when I lose weight I will be happy.’ My hope is to help the conversation surrounding body positivity grow and help alter our perception of what it means to be beautiful.”
This painting is the first in a series of body positive paintings Crystal is currently working on.
Visit: www.CrystalDomi.com
Paul Anthony David
FALLOUT
2016
Mixed Media
When Donald Trump was elected to the presidency in 2016, the artist was inspired to create a piece that depicted a world ruined by adults through the eyes of a child.
Paul Anthony David
ILLEGAL AMERICA
2018 | Mixed Media
The pain and the anger of families ripped apart. A policy by the Trump administration mandating children and parents to be separated at the U.S.-Mexico border in May 2018, inspired Paul to create this piece showing a young boy dressed in formal attire, standing behind barbed wire as President Donald Trump reiterates that “not everybody is created equally.”
City of Angel
2018 | Acrylic on canvas | 12 x 16 inches
The artist originally intended to draw a matador holding up a muleta in anticipation of the “elegant” bullfight killing, but as Paul continued adding layers of color, he dropped the matador’s muleta, transformed his cape into angel wings and painted the hands in his pockets, converting the colorfully dressed matador into a dark angel. The idea being, that even when your conscience tells you something is wrong, a second attempt at making things better may not work either.
Desiree Dunr Rodriguez
Silverlake street art
2014
Desiree was 7 months pregnant and craving inspiration that had nothing to do with pregnancy or babies.
“I took my camera down to Silverlake and just started walking,” she shares. “The scene was too colorful not to notice. I see the stories it tells, and I wanted to remember and honor it.”
Connect with Desiree!
Instagram: @Desiree.Dundr.Rodriguez
Linda Estrada
Artwork Collection
Portrait of Armando Estrada from the Zoot Suit Era
Oil Painting | Not For Sale
Mermaid Series: Birth of a Mermaid
Young mermaid dancing with the universe
11×14 | oil painting | $125
Mermaid Series: Mermaid Burlesque Dance
Colorful mystical portrait of dance on water
16×20 | Oil painting | Not For Sale
Miss Viva Las Vegas, 2007
Portrait of Burlesque Dancer Natasha Estrada who won the title for her dynamic colorful and sexy performance
Not For Sale
Echo Park
Landscape of lotus flowers blooming with City of Los Angeles skyline
20×20 | Oil painting | Not For Sale
Veracruz Folklorico Dancer
The beautiful dance and costume
24×24 framed | Oil painting | $300
Connect With Linda!
Instagram: @lalindadesigns
Connie Garcia
Mommy In Los Angeles Magazine Flower Logo
Using a variety of elements, Connie used her knowledge and experience in flower design to recreate the Mommy In Los Angeles® Magazine logo as a display piece for the art exhibit aspect of the magazine launch party. Her design consisted of carnations, daisies, roses, Scabiosa pods (for the palm tree trunks) placed on a 3′ x 3′ wooden board that weighed about 60 lbs.
“I love to see people smile. It makes me happy,” says Connie. “My love for flowers runs in my blood!”
Connect with Connie!
Instagram: @conniegarciaflorals
Daniela Rey
Three moments in motherhood
2018
Maryi en LA
Maryi is married to the photographer’s uncle. They visited from Colombia for the first time, and probably their last, to join Daniela as she married the love of her life. Their visit was extra special for Daniela because – since it was her second marriage – most of her family felt like it wasn’t worth taking seriously. But they did. Maryi got her hair done in Daniela’s room.
“She looked beautiful, so I had to pause the wedding prep to photograph her for a few minutes,” says Daniela. “This was her first photo shoot ever and it was with me, on the day of my wedding. How beautiful.”
Reina’s Second Set of Twins
The photographer met Reina, the mother of these twins, during the Happy Mom Conference. She was eight month pregnant at that time and stood up during an information session to ask for guidance on how to use her breath to find peace at home with twins, a daughter, a second set of twins on the way, and a tight budget.
“She touched so many of us,” says Daniela. “I felt inspired to ask her if I and my photography could be of any service to her.”
Olivia Postpartum
New Mama Olivia Cullen two weeks postpartum with Baby Levi.
Daniela says: “So much of the pleasure of motherhood happens in retrospect. When the kids are asleep and the chaos subsides and we can just enjoy their sweet faces. This is why I love motherhood photography. I know being a mother feels messy most days, but holy cow does it look beautiful in photos. And to be able to look back and see that beauty, maybe for the first time, means everything to me.”
Connect with Daniela!
Visit: www.MamaNiela.co
Rebecca Rueth
A Journey of a Thousand Lands
Alcohol Ink on Yupo & Canon Photo Paper | 2018
Rebecca’s Journey of a Thousand Lands collection is composed of a series of imagined landscapes that have evolved during her experiments with alcohol inks this year. In addition to being representational of her journey through Motherhood, she chose this collection for this exhibit citing many similarities between her parenting style and working with this medium.
“After struggling through a bit of a speech delay last year, my daughter was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in the fall. This whole experience has led me to truly learn to let go of expectations and to understand that not everything in life is going to go according to your plan,” she says.
Connect With Rebecca!
Instagram: @Rebecca_Rueth_Designs
Nancy Lozano-Stecyk
color pencil collection
“Growing up art was a life saver. It provided me an outlet to express myself during different phases of my life. I now use my artistic skills to give back to my community, through my work with children in therapy, working with parents, arts education and community beautification.”
The gift
5×7 Prisma Color pencils | 2017
Inspired by special moments in motherhood. Every time my children give me flowers i draw a picture of it. We then donate the pieces to a children’s art program in our community which sells the pieces to continue funding art programs for kids. Their gift to me becomes a gift to others.
Anxious Branches
11×14 PrismaColor Pencils | 2017
Parenthood can bring so many emotions. It can be scary and beautiful. No matter what, we are the solid branches that enable our young ones to grow.
Lessons Learned
11×14 Prismacolor Pencils | 2015
This piece was inspired by my daughter Hailey and a group of senior citizen women/moms. For a year, every Friday evening, my daughter and i spent time drawing and painting with a group of senior citizens. These awesome ladies shared their stories and gave me lots of advice regarding parenting. They taught me to slow down, be patient and enjoy the little moments with my daughter.
Explore
8×10 Watercolor on Rice Paper.
This painting is inspired by road trips taken with my kids. The beauty and chaos of traveling with children is worth it. Being outdoors and exploring nature as a family helps us all rediscover each other, bond and grow. It also grounds us and teaches our children to love planet earth.
Cherished memories
5×7 Prismacolor | 2011
This piece is inspired by the beautiful country side of Alberta Canada. It is dedicated to my father in law who was a farmer and taught his sons the value of responsibility, hard work and spending quality time with family.
Connect with Nancy!
Visit: www.LetsPlayParents.com
Brandy Montague
Max & Maddie Learn about saving elephants
2018 | 8 x 10 in. vector artwork drawn with pen and tablet
This drawing and short passage were created as a part of my clothing line that focuses on inspiring children to advocate for compassion toward animals as they grow. Brandy believes inspiring children is our best chance at creating a world where all souls live harmoniously together.
Connect with Brandy!
Instagram: @trendylittlesweethearts
Isabel Ochoa
You Make Momma Proud Balloon Installation
Growing up, Isabel’s parents owned a party hall that was rented frequently for a wide range of celebrations. She remembers helping her parents prepare for parties, which often times involved decorating with balloons.
Little did she imagine, however, that she would end up doing the same as a mompreneur with her very own balloon business.
As the owner of Balloon Babes, Isabel offers a range of mylar balloons which she designs to highlight her Mexican culture and to empower and uplift a celebration. Using some of her line’s You Make Momma Proud balloons, she decorated a cardboard frame that welcomed guests to Innerspace Gallery.
Contact Isabel!
Visit: www.balloonbabes.com
Instagram: @balloon_babes
Alexandra Olin
Magnolia
2015 | Mixed Media & Acrylic | 18 x 15 inches
This painting was a gift to my mother honoring her and my grandmothers and the many trees they’ve planted and cared for in our family.
Sandra Shinkfield
Reconnect with Yourself and be Awed by Her Again
11×14 photographic prints 2017 & 2018
Description of the single female in black and white
What describes a woman’s sensuality? Is it the dress that accentuates her curves? Is it her delicately scented perfume? As women, we have an innate gift of flirtatiousness, playfulness and softness. You may have lost touch with them but they are within you. Re-connect with your feminine spirit. Remember, you’re a radiant, magnificent, valuable and splendid jewel!
Visit: www.SandraShinkfield.com
Louise Wannier
Growth and protection
Triptych 108″ x 72″ (1 of 3 hangings) | Photography digitally printed on organic pure silk
Louise considers Growth and Protection, the two jobs of parents. Her piece is related to the core of womanhood whence all babies stem.
“Using the image of a tree to me is very meaningful as trees are the life source of the oxygen we require to live and I often find myself hugging them in thanks and community.”
Currently, the artist is creating her own textile art prints and collections for fashion and the home under the label LOUIS JANE™. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Textile Design as well as graduate of the UCLA Anderson School MBA program and the California Institute of Technology, with a BS in Astronomy, Louise has been a successful entrepreneur who has created consumer products, and innovated technology solutions that make our lives easier. She is also co- founder of Surrogate Gallery Projects with Holly Boruck.
Visit: www.LouiseWannier.com & www.LouisJane.com
Leslie Wilson
Bricolage
As a child, I always built furniture and clothing for my dolls, because I could not find the ones I liked. It was probably the beginning of my passion for art and design. When my son was in 3rd grade while I was teaching ‘Design Thinking’ to his classmates, it became clear to me that I’m not the only girl who loves both playing with dolls and building.
Bricolage’s Do-It-Yourself doll furniture line comes packaged in a flat box, with an instruction and a photo of the finished furniture. The girls (and boys) can put it together easily and decorate for the 18″ dolls.
All furniture is designed with forward-looking design aesthetics.
Visit: www.bricolagedesign.com