Mother's Milk, Decision Portrait.

(Above:  Mother's Milk, Decision Portrait Series.  Stitched words:  Breast Feeding.  Xylene photo transfer on tea-stained muslin.  Hand stitched.  25" x 19" unframed; 31" x 25" framed.  Click on image to enlarge.)

The Internet is a wonderful thing.  It has provided so many exciting adventures for me....without me ever leaving home!  This is a portrait taken by Celina, who is on an extensive camping trip through the mountains of the western United States after time in Spain.  It is of her friend Marija in Norway.  Both are mothers to decided to breast feed....even in public.

When I first started looking for someone to pose for Mother's Milk, I suggested potential stitched words reading:  Breast feeding...even in public.  I hoped for a PERFECT photo.  Celina sent what is undoubtedly PERFECT.  Yet, when I went to stitch it, I realized that the decision shouldn't be limited to the location and surroundings for breast feeding.  It should incorporate all sorts of breast feeding decisions. 

 (Above:  Mother's Milk, detail.  Click on image to enlarge.)

Not all mothers chose to breast feed.  Those who do also have lots of other decisions to make.....like, how often, timed intervals, whether to pump milk or not, what to eat and drink while nursing, and when to ween the child.  By simplifying my stitched words to just "Breast Feeding", all these decisions are suggested.  The photo really is PERFECT for all these choices that are made by mothers all over the world, throughout all of history.

For more information about breast feeding, please visit the La Leche League International. Also, the website recommended by Celina is Kelly Mom....check it out!