Pregnant Dreams (Copyright 2004, Toni Rakestraw. All Rights Reserved.)

In her acrylic painting, Pregnant Dreams, artist Toni Rakestraw creates a calm and meditative visual experience for others.  The pink fleshy tones of the woman’s round body float calmly against a tranquil wash of blue.  A single braid of dark hair rests softly on her back.  Sitting with legs crossed and supported by her full bottom, the woman appears to gaze down past her breasts at her large pregnant belly.  Her arms rest at her sides, cradling the baby that is nourished within her form.

There is a peaceful tranquility that this painting exudes, making it useful as a tool in the visualization of birth.  The soft blues and pinks of the color tones. as well as the calm fullness of the woman’s body, remind the pregnant woman of the peace that she too may bring to her pregnancy and to the birth of her baby.

Rakestraw describes the colors and shapes in the piece, as well as the meaning that she sees in her work,

Again, one of my favorites.  The curves blend nicely and the shadings worked out perfectly.  I was playing with the watercolor characteristics of the acrylic for the background.  Late pregnancy is a time for introspection.  This lady is contemplating the growing life inside who will soon make the transition to the big, wide world.

Toni Rakestraw is an artist, writer and editor who is also raising her children.  Trained in childbirth education, she has also worked as a doula and read sacred midwifery texts.  More of her artwork may be seen and she may be reached through her blogs: WordPress and Blogspot.

Growing (Copyright 2004, Toni Rakestraw. All Rights Reserved.)