To capture the ups and downs of motherhood, this artist makes a self-portrait every day

Dartmouth, N.S., artist Alice Jennex has found a unique way to balance motherhood and her art practice. Her most recent gallery show, Chromatic States, features intimate self-portraits that she created during her children’s naptimes. These emotionally resonant paintings of her face were initially part of her personal journal, but with the encouragement of fellow artist Meghan Macdonald, they have now been blown up to supersized dimensions and put on display at The Craig Gallery in Dartmouth.

Jennex’s daily paintings, made with watercolors in a limited palette of 18 colors, capture the subtle changes and variations that she embodies from one day to the next. The portraits, while initially meant for her own reflection, have now become a way for Jennex to explore the intersection of her art practice and her identity as a mother.

The exhibition Chromatic States is a departure from Jennex’s previous large-scale figurative works. It delves into the daily labor and experiences of motherhood, showcasing the joys, fears, and sorrows that come with raising a family. Macdonald notes that the works feel like Jennex’s way of adapting to motherhood while holding onto important aspects of her old self.

Despite the time and material constraints that come with being a mother, Jennex has found that motherhood provides a structure for her work. The routine and limitations have forced her to be specific and work within constraints, ultimately leading to a creative and meaningful body of work.

What started as a personal project to track her own experiences has now turned into a universal exploration of motherhood and identity. Jennex’s exhibition Chromatic States invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the ways in which personal and universal themes intersect in our lives. Jennex Challenges Stereotypes of Motherhood in New Art Exhibit

In her latest exhibit, artist Jennex is pushing back against the traditional idea of mothers as stoic and naturally nurturing. Instead, she aims to depict the raw, gritty moments of motherhood that are often overlooked or hidden.

“You’re like, ‘Whoa, where’s like, the raw, real, gritty, moments?’ that I think are really there but we feel like we’re going to be judged, so we don’t want to share them,” says Jennex.

By showcasing these less-discussed aspects of motherhood, Jennex hopes to spark a conversation and help others feel seen and understood. The exhibit is not just about her own experiences, but rather about the universal experience of motherhood.

“I hope it might just help someone else feel seen or acknowledge a struggle or something they’ve met and worked through,” she says.

Chromatic States, the title of the exhibit, is on display at The Craig Gallery in Dartmouth, N.S. until Aug. 24. Visitors are invited to explore the emotional depth and complexity of motherhood through Jennex’s thought-provoking artwork.

With this exhibit, Jennex is challenging stereotypes and opening up a dialogue about the realities of motherhood. By sharing these raw moments, she hopes to create a sense of connection and understanding among viewers.