Being able to raise kids is such a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity. But oftentimes, people fail to see the hardships and difficulties that come with it. More so the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. As such, artist Paula Kuka has come up with a series of illustrations that accurately portrays the reality of motherhood. She features “witty and pretty #mumlife musings” in her works which she shares via her Common Wild art pages.
Kuka revealed that she originally didn’t have plans of becoming an artist. In fact, she worked as a landscape architect back then for about ten years. It was only after she had her second baby that she started drawing cartoons to document their daily lives.
“I posted them on Instagram and they very quickly gathered attention from other parents who loved seeing such a relatable view of parenting. I like to talk about some of the challenges of motherhood — the guilt, the frustration, the boredom, as well as the hilarious and heart-warming aspects. It’s important to me to talk openly about these things as I know it can help other parents feel less isolated in what they are going through.”
Through her works, the Australian artist aims to encourage all moms out there to just jilt the guilt. This is simply because not everyone knows the hard times that parents, especially mothers, go through. True enough, you’ll never understand how hard it is to be a parent until you become one. And so, this is what Kuka’s drawings hope to communicate. That there is more to motherhood than we see on the outside.
Somehow, being a parent is comparable to being an artist, athlete, entertainer, or any other professional for that matter. Oftentimes, people only see the end results. They fail to see the long hours of work, effort, pain, and sacrifice along the process. Sadly, people are so quick to judge these days. In fact, nowadays, it’s not even uncommon to encounter people who badmouth other moms for enjoying their me-times.
If you’re among these misunderstood moms, we’re pretty sure that you’d be able to relate to Kuka’s works. If not, then hopefully, Kuka’s works could give you a better understanding of what it’s like to be a mother. Likewise, Kuka also shared a heartfelt message for struggling artists who seem to have lost their drive.
“Opportunities can come in the most unlikely places. Be generous with your time and skills. All my greatest opportunities came when I went out on a limb and did something for someone and didn’t expect anything in return. Just keep going and stay true to yourself. People resonate the most with authenticity.”
Kuka’s fanbase continues to grow with over 103K followers on Instagram and over 33K likes on Facebook. At present, the artist also contributes her works and articles to The West Australian paper. Meanwhile, her upcoming book is also in the works which she hopes to publish early next year.
