The Art of Balance: 5 Questions for Aris Moore

Hello again! So, I have been a huge fan of American artist Aris Moore for years! Her drawings are beautiful, strange, and haunting. She just finished her MFA, which is already impressive, then I found out she also has seven year old twins! Now I’m even more impressed. I have five questions for her, so let’s get started:

JC: You recently finished your MFA – congratulations! How were able to make time for that with seven year olds twins?

AM: I’m not quite sure.  There were many late nights spent working when the house was quiet.  I worked during my lunch hour.  I missed some fun weekend excursions, and during movie nights I listened while drawing.  My work was pretty integrated into my daily life. The portraits were there through everything – at the kitchen table, on the living room floor, in my sketchbook on long rides, and in bed before I decided to retire on any given day.  They saw it all.

JC: What do your son and daughter think about you “being an artist”?

 AM: I think they just think of it as normal.  My daughter, August, thinks it’s pretty cool that she can look me up on the computer and find my work.  I think in her mind it puts me a little closer to Katy Perry.  I think my son Owen thinks I am a little funny drawing people all of the time.  I think he’d like to see me draw more trains, ski mountains, and sports parks.

JC: Do you ever feel “mom guilt” when you’re in the studio?

 AM: I wish I only felt “mom guilt” in the studio ( which is actually a table in the bay window of my bedroom).  I am always feeling guilty that I haven’t done enough, been fun enough, expected enough, expected too much or even brushed their teeth enough.

JC: Is your work different now, than before your children were born? If so, did he they any influence over that?

 AM: My work is different.  I am different. Having children made me believe in my adulthood, and my womanhood. I have more compassion, understanding, and a greater feeling of comradery with the women around me, and in turn with the women that I draw.  I also enjoy sharing my work with my children as they share theirs with me and asking them what they think, who they think she is, what do they think she is thinking about… their answers are far more entertaining than mine.  We often work together and have collaborated on drawings.  I am always inspired.  Children have the most sincere line.

JC: Do you see your life as an artist, and your life as a mother as two separate things, or do they go hand in hand?

 AM: My work is so integrated into my daily life that I have a hard time separating my life as an artist with my other roles.  I will say that when I draw I can’t help but think about all parts of my life , but when I am spending time with August and Owen I rarely find myself thinking about making art.  They force me in the most beautiful way to be in the moment.  Of course, that doesn’t mean that all of those moments are beautiful!

Hee hee! I had to put  that last image in! Thanks so much Aris – you’re an amazing artist, and a fabulous mom… xo

See you all in two weeks with another artist interview ~ danielle {aka the jealous curator}

Author Description

Danielle Krysa

Danielle Krysa has a BFA, and a post-grad in Design. After years of looking at beautiful contemporary art and thinking "Damn, I wish I thought of that", she decided to say it out loud, and in 2009 The Jealous Curator. was born. She writes daily posts showcasing artwork from around the world, and is currently writing two books to be published by Chronicle Books in 2014. The Jealous Curator has been featured by Sunset Magazine, Frankie Magazine, Apartment Therapy and Glamour Paris.

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