‘I felt compelled to use myself as a subject because I was completely consumed within my own world. It reflects a moment in time when I was feeling particularly uncomfortable and apprehensive about what I was about to face. Although I already felt immense love for my baby, I had anxieties about becoming a mother and how my ability to make art would be called into question. Painting was my life. I wondered how my integrity as an artist might be scrutinised. I feared that my painting would not be looked at beyond the scope of motherhood.’

‘There’s an incredible amount of pressure for modern women to “do it all”. I produced much of this painting when Arden was just weeks old. Although the frantic juggle is still omnipresent, having a baby has completely enriched my life in all its chaotic glory. It’s the beautiful little moments that make it all worthwhile.’

Natasha Bieniek 2019, who depicted herself when she was 36 weeks pregnant

‘When we met at her home in Brisbane, I was bowled over by her down-to-earth nature and wicked sense of humour. However, it was her love for her baby Amos and dog Art that endeared me to her the most. When Meg started singing to Amos, a totally improvised “baby commentary” on what was happening, I felt I was witness to an incredible moment of intimacy and depth that absolutely had to be captured in a painting.’

Loribelle Spirovski 2019, who painted Megan Washington

‘Parenthood has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. However, at times, I have felt pushed to the edge,’ says Mackinnon.

‘There is no doubt that it’s harder for the mother who gives birth, breastfeeds and undergoes physiological and hormonal changes. That said, the father has to cope with the aforementioned and is in shock at the change to life as previously known!

‘While attempting a night feed, feeling completely frayed, I glimpsed myself in the mirror. In a near-hallucinatory state from interrupted sleep, I looked deranged. Then Lucky took the bottle and stopped crying, and I experienced peace and a delicious intimacy – a small moment of grace.’

William Mackinnon 2021, who painted a self-portrait with his son a year after painting a portrait of his partner with him

‘Before and after the birth of my beautiful daughter, I seemingly read every book, blog and web page available to help prepare myself for a newborn. In reality, none of this could capture the all-consuming shock of having a baby, and her incredible beauty.’

Vanessa Stockard 2017, who painted this self-portrait just after the birth of her first child.

‘I have become assertive as a mother, for I refuse to be under the reign of a toddler without the gift of reason or speech. I have graduated with honours from postnatal depression and I can speak fluent gibberish.’

Vanessa Stockard 2018, who painted a second self-portrait one year after birth

‘It was painted with mixed emotions, which I hoped to somehow capture. I wear my daughter’s tutu around my neck and feel like a clown. I am amused at myself and the chaos of life, juggling an artistic career, motherhood, teaching and everything else in between. There are so many parts to play, so many different costumes one must wear, but I love the path I have chosen.’

Jessica Ashton 2017, who painted this self-portrait after discovering she was pregnant with her second child.

‘In this self-portrait I mock my own inadequacies as a mother and lament the struggle to also be an artist ... As a mother of two children I find myself constantly beset by guilt, frustration and anxiety. I consider myself ill-equipped and a bit of a joke when it comes to meeting the lofty, idealistic heights of mummy perfection. This painting is part of a broader exploration of themes relating to “maternal ambivalence”, reflecting my desire to subvert the romantic ideal of motherhood, and chart the unacknowledged, darker side of the complex and contradictory experiences that come with having children.’

Rebecca Hastings 2014, who depicted herself in a onesie

‘It was painted in the mirror, during a few stolen hours of studio time. It is a dark painting, but feels like an honest documentation of my physical and emotional state at the time; not emotionally dark, but exhausted and nocturnal.’

Guy Maestri 2018, who painted this self-portrait in the first weeks of being a new father

‘The colour-saturated, abandoned inflatable pool toys serve as a portrait of my three children in their absence; missing but always with me, like the perfect pop song you can’t get out of your head, the one with the happy riff but sad lyrics. I need them more than they need me.’

Michael Zavros 2013, who painted this self-portrait after being away from home

‘I wanted to paint Urszula with baby to show how the presence of motherhood is in our lives, whatever choices we make, like a parallel world. The painting began as a tiny sketch and I tried to keep it true to the tension between the monstrous and the tender. It felt like a delicate radiation area between beauty and repulsion that was tricky to paint.’

Prudence Flint 2015, who painted a friend who is NOT a mother

‘Things have changed so much for me since Luca came into my life. He is my priority in every way. He has made me much more positive, and inspired me to notice and appreciate the little things in life. He depends on me and makes me who I am.’

Vincent Fantauzzo 2014, who describes this painting as a self-portrait with his four-year-old son Luca as his subject and inspiration

‘The warm orange glow is the colour by which I remember my childhood in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, where my brothers and I would play war games in our neighbours’ yards. Inspired by films, we would dress up in army surplus gear and paint our faces. We’d dig bunkers, make guns from old timber scraps and run around pretending to be heroes. Now that I am in my 30s I notice the ways in which my own children play similar games and I wonder why children can be so fascinated by war.’

Michael Peck 2012, who titled his work 'Self-portrait in the image of my son'

‘Ever since her birth I have wanted to create something memorable in her name. I feel as if life tossed me a lifejacket in the storm when she was born and I wanted to push my ability to the limit with this painting and go beyond the familiar to somewhere new. I also want to convey to people my wish that they should listen with sensitivity to what our children have to say, and not only with their ears.’

Daniel Henderson 2007, who painted his daughter Lily-Rose

‘My daughter represents my future. Her generation will inherit our planet. I am projecting my dreams and hopes onto her: she is part of me but also her own person inheriting the legacy we leave behind.’

Kathrin Longhurst 2018, who painted her daughter Maia for a work Longhurst regards as a self-portrait

‘Although completely smitten and consumed by her new role as a mother, Claudia also manages to pursue a successful career in a notoriously difficult industry. Her talent, passion and ability to juggle these demands with such grace is an inspiration.’

Martine Emdur 2003, who painted Claudia Karvan with her partner Jeremy Sparks and their child Audrey

‘I have configured the boys (in relation to Cate) in an attempt to describe both the depth of their coexistence and individual wholeness. Filaments of ribbons gently weave the figures together within some kind of resonance. There is the utterly profound synergy and interconnection that a mother and her children have on one level; and on another, four autonomous energies and lives.’

Del Kathryn Barton 2011, who painted Cate Blanchette with her children Dash, Roman and Iggy

‘You meet some husbands and wives and realise that they have a creative bond as well as a familial one and it was clear to me that Cate and Andrew rely on each other profoundly. They are an awesome functioning little unit ... Cate pulled out the poster paints and set the kids up on the kitchen table and I painted with them and had cookies and milk. It was really good fun.’

McLean Edwards 2006, who painted Cate Blanchette with her partner Andrew Upton and their children

‘For most of the painting I was fortunate to have my model present. After the birth of Elvis however, the sittings became understandably less frequent. It may be an art cliché, but I was truly trying to capture the soul of my sitter. I wanted to convey a contemplative strength but also a great beauty.’

Marcus Callum 2011, who began painting this portrait of his partner whilst she was heavily pregnant and completed it after she gave birth to their son.