Home / Life 8 illustrators who capture the ups and downs of motherhood Sometimes, you just have to laugh at the comedy that is being a parent. By Ellen Schmidt May 4, 2021 Rectangle As Mother’s Day approaches, I wanted to share some of my favorite illustrators who are capturing the motherhood experience in all the best ways, from the comical and mundane to the heartfelt. These women make me laugh on the daily, and frankly, I need more of that in my Instagram feed. Being a mother is a million different emotions all wrapped into one. I love when I can see a relatable experience conveyed through art, because it reaffirms my belief that we are all in this together. Yes, everyone is different, but the shared experience of motherhood is a collective feeling. And sometimes we just need to laugh at this journey we’re on, especially on social media , when so much of my scrolling depicts perfect homes with perfect-looking children and you guessed it, perfectly-styled mamas. Here’s to artists who keep it real (and keep me laughing)! These illustrators are capturing motherhood in hilarious and poignant ways, and I am here for their content in my Instagram feed. Paula Kuka of @common_wild Could I raise my hand in agreement any higher? Grace Farris, MD of @coupedegracefarris On Sunday evenings, my dishwasher is filled almost entirely with cups. Alison Wong of @newmomcomics Standards may change from child to child, and that’s perfectly okay, mama. Jade Nordahl of @ab.bel This artist might be from Norway, but her drawings are every mama, everywhere. Natasha of @HeartilyArt So. relatable. I get so much more satisfaction out of buying stuff for my kids than I do myself! Anna Lewis of @sketchymuma Isn’t that the truth. Your body might not ever be quite the same, and your heart just gets bigger and bigger. Mary Catherine Starr of @marycatherinestarr This couldn’t be any more accurate if you put an actual photo of my face in this illustration. Gina McMillen @ginasdrawingclub I’m actually wondering if Gina has secretly recorded my morning getting dress routine? The latest Life 7 months pregnant on the campaign trail: How motherhood has changed the way I view politics Style Zooey Deschanel’s tips on how to get holiday party-ready (without putting your finger through your tights while your kids are yelling for dinner) Motherly Stories What is the ‘gratitude trap’? How gratitude can keep us stuck Getting Pregnant What to know about using supplements for fertility—and when to start taking them in preconception