What if the most meaningful moments of motherhood aren’t the milestones—but the tiny moments we often overlook?
The ripped pieces of a croissant left on the table.
A breastfeeding session at sunrise.
A scattered playmat filled with toys.
For artist Amy Pradelle, these ordinary moments have become the inspiration behind an entirely new chapter of her creative life.
In this episode of La Vie Creative, I sat down with fellow American-in-Paris Amy Pradelle to discuss her journey from Chicago art teacher to Paris-based artist, how becoming a mother transformed her artistic voice, and why slowing down may be the key to both creativity and happiness.
From Chicago Art Teacher to Living Her Paris Dream
Like many Americans who fall in love with Paris, Amy’s story began with a visit to France years ago.
While attending an art teacher workshop in rural France, she learned about international schools and filed away the possibility of one day living abroad.
Years later, during the pandemic, that dream resurfaced.
While teaching art in Chicago and reflecting on what she truly wanted from life, she decided to explore international teaching opportunities. In what felt like perfect timing, a position at the American School of Paris appeared just one hour before she logged into the job portal.
She applied.
She got the job.
And she moved to Paris.
What started as a dream became reality through one courageous step at a time.
Building a Creative Career Beyond the Classroom
Before focusing on painting, Amy built a successful art business creating large-scale macramé installations.
Her work attracted major clients, including Starbucks, and she created custom pieces measuring up to 15 feet wide.
But deep down, painting remained her first love.
After becoming a mother, something shifted creatively.
Instead of returning to previous artistic pursuits, she found herself inspired by something entirely different: motherhood itself.
How Motherhood Changed Her Art
Many women worry that motherhood will distance them from their creative identity.
For Amy, the opposite happened.
Although the first year of motherhood required significant adjustment, she eventually found herself more creatively inspired than ever before.
Her newest body of work, currently titled My Motherhood Moments, captures the quiet beauty hidden within everyday life with a young child.
Rather than painting milestones, Amy focuses on moments that often go unnoticed:
- Tiny pancake pieces left behind after breakfast
- Crumbs scattered across a table
- Favorite toys abandoned on a playmat
- The intimacy of feeding and nurturing a child
- The ordinary rhythms of family life
These moments may seem insignificant in real time, but they often become the memories we cherish most.
Why Everyday Moments Matter
Modern culture encourages us to celebrate big achievements and major milestones.
We document first birthdays.
First steps.
First days of school.
But what about the thousands of tiny moments in between?
Amy believes those moments deserve attention too.
As parents, we’re often rushing to the next task, the next appointment, the next milestone.
Yet when we slow down, we discover beauty hiding in plain sight.
Through her paintings, Amy hopes to preserve these fleeting experiences before they disappear.
Because childhood moves quickly.
And the ordinary moments often become the ones we miss the most.
Motherhood, Presence, and Finding Beauty Again
One of the most powerful themes in our conversation was presence.
In a world dominated by smartphones, notifications, and endless scrolling, Amy has become increasingly intentional about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with real life.
She shared how even something as simple as sitting on her terrace with a second cup of coffee instead of reaching for her phone can become a meaningful act of creativity.
Motherhood has taught her to pay attention.
To notice.
To observe.
To appreciate.
And perhaps most importantly, to slow down.
Watching her young son explore the world reminds her that children naturally live in the present moment.
They aren’t worried about tomorrow.
They aren’t checking notifications.
They’re fully immersed in whatever is happening right now.
There is wisdom in that.
What Children Can Teach Us About Creativity
Children are masters of observation.
Everything is new.
Everything is interesting.
Everything deserves attention.
Amy described watching her son become fascinated by simple objects—a roll of tape, a pattern on a shirt, a small toy on the floor.
As adults, we often lose that sense of wonder.
Yet creativity thrives when we learn to see familiar things with fresh eyes.
Her artwork serves as a reminder that beauty doesn’t always exist in extraordinary experiences.
Sometimes it’s hidden in breakfast crumbs, bedtime routines, and quiet moments of connection.
Rediscovering Your Creative Identity After Motherhood
For many women, becoming a mother creates an identity shift.
Life changes dramatically.
Creative pursuits often take a backseat.
Amy understands this experience firsthand.
Her advice for mothers feeling disconnected from their creativity?
Start small.
One practice that has helped her tremendously is journaling, inspired by Julia Cameron’s classic book The Artist’s Way.
Writing morning pages allows ideas to surface naturally and creates space to reconnect with yourself beneath the responsibilities of daily life.
She also recommends taking regular “artist dates”—intentional outings designed to inspire creativity, whether that’s visiting a museum, browsing an art supply store, or simply sitting in a café with a notebook.
Creativity doesn’t require hours of free time.
Sometimes it begins with a few quiet moments of attention.
What Motherhood Has Taught Her About Play
Perhaps one of the most beautiful transformations Amy describes is becoming more playful.
Before motherhood, her artwork was highly detailed and precise.
Today, her paintings are looser, more expressive, and filled with visible brushstrokes.
In many ways, her son has taught her how to play again.
Watching children explore the world without judgment encourages us to loosen our grip on perfectionism and reconnect with curiosity.
And maybe that’s one of motherhood’s greatest gifts—not just raising children, but rediscovering parts of ourselves along the way.
Final Thoughts
Amy’s work is a beautiful reminder that creativity isn’t separate from life.
It lives within our daily experiences.
Our relationships.
Our routines.
Our moments of connection.
Whether you’re a mother, an artist, or simply someone trying to slow down and appreciate life more deeply, this conversation offers a powerful invitation:
Pay attention.
The moments you think are ordinary may one day become your most treasured memories.
Listen to the Full Episode
In this episode of La Vie Creative, Amy Pradelle shares her journey from Chicago to Paris, how motherhood transformed her artistic voice, what children can teach us about creativity, and why the smallest moments often hold the greatest beauty.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
https://www.amypradelles.com/
https://www.instagram.com/amypradellesstudio
