Today was another studio day in creative process. I struggled to begin and at various times during class felt stuck as to where to take the piece. I thought more than once that the piece was complete, but realized that it truly wasn't as I surrendered to the process and let my hands work, giving more depth and life to the piece. As I reflect on the changed work, and the image that evolved, I think even more about the concept of touch and skin.My thoughts about this baby lately really center around a deep desire to hold him... to touch him, and feel the warmth of his skin. While I love playing the guessing game of what part is that as they move across my abdomen, I also long to see those knees, elbows and delicate facial features and to touch them. I realized that though I feel his abstract movements more than anyone else, and share a deep emotional connection with him, I share with others the inability to truly touch my son.
My artwork reflects this idea of boundaries. The mother's hand on the bottom holding her pregnant belly is kept from fully touching the infant inside by the membranes of her own womb and the shell of skin which delicately holds the space in which the child is growing. I realize that my body is constantly holding my child, rocking him, cradling him, and providing for all his needs. So why 
this deep ache for the touch of the skin!? Well... what is skin!? The medterms.com defines it as: "the body's outer covering which protects us against heat and light, injury, and infection. It regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. It is the body's largest organ." To me that definition fails miserably at telling what it is about skin that is so important, and why we long for skin to skin contact. Through the touch of skin we know hot, cold, pain, comfort, the bite of winter's air, and the caress of a summer breeze, the sting of a slap, or warmth of a back rub. Through touching skin we nurture, show care, provide support and even say hello or the opposite of those things. Without human contact through touching skin, people go crazy, and infants show stunted brain functioning. It becomes obvious to me then that this yearning is a yearning for an even deeper level of attachment and bonding to occur between myself and my baby... 32 weeks down, 8 to go.
Skin - what is skin? I like the image of your hand holding the image - I was pretty pleaased to get that! It is so interesting isn't it? touch and what kind off touch something so many people hardly think about consciously but those of us in this field think about deeply.
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