MILLENNIAL MOM

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH FANTASY…

The Millennial Mom series explores the undercurrent of everyday suffering caused by ego and our unconsciousness regarding illusions. This tale is told in four parts: Myth, Descent, Darkness, and Light.

I. MYTH

The seeking of happiness through validation, dressed up as the pursuit of perfection.

Millennial Mom smiling with her four children.
Superkids = Supermom, 2017, oil on canvas, 101.6 x 76.2 cm, 40 x 30 in
Millennial Mom frowning as she performs a push-up exercise.
Millennial Mom Battles Mediocrity, 2017, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 121.9 cm, 30 x 48 in
MM deep in concentration, doing paperwork at a desk.
Millennial Mom Reports to Government HQ, 2016, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 101.6 cm, 30 x 40 in

II. DESCENT

Cracks appear, in the Myth. Life is not what we thought it was going to be. We feel alone and afraid, and to blame, for we are somehow not good enough.  We run from our pain, and try to numb it out.

Millennial Mom on the cover of Vogue magazine.
I Have a Problem with Fantasy, 2017, oil on canvas, 121.9 x 91.4 cm, 48 x 36 in
Millennial_Mom_Battles_the_Dungeon_Demon_Darlene_Baker
Millennial Mom Battles the Dungeon Demon, 2016, oil on canvas, 91.4 x 121.9 cm, 36 x 48 in
MM gazing in wonder at a Batman-like man.
I Wonder if I Would Feel Safe There?, 2016, oil on canvas, 61 x 121.9 cm, 24 x 48 in

The main affliction of our modern civilization is that we don’t know how to handle the suffering inside us and we try to cover it up with all kinds of consumption.

— Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Millennial Mom stares down a candy noose.
Millennial Mom Battles the Sweet Demon, 2019, oil on canvas, 40.6 x 121.9 cm, 16 x 48 in
MM, hands on hips, contemplating a row of minivans for sale on a car lot.
Sigh…It’s No Batmobile, 2017, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 121.9 cm, 30 x 48 in
Millennial Mom stoicly sitting outside a surgery room, with cleats and a sports jersey on the floor beside her.
Millennial Mom Wrestles the Demon Fear, 2017, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 101.6 cm, 30 x 40 in

III. DARKNESS

Anger.  Resentment.  Criticism and blame.  Numbing out.  Distraction.  Disengagement.

Our resistance to what is.

Millennial Mom's face, eyes tightened in frustration.
I Didn’t See This Coming, 2017, oil on canvas, 121.9 x 121.9 cm, 48 x 48 in
Millennial Mom, on floor, in distress.
Thy Will Is Hard, 2018, oil on canvas, 61 x 91.4 cm, 24 x 36 in
Millennial Mom, arms crossed, frowning as she watches sunset.
I Didn’t Think It Would Be Like This, 2019, oil on canvas, 61 x 121.9 cm, 24 x 48 in
Millennial Mom's face, gazing down, in pain.
I Wish I Didn’t Have to Be the Strong One, 2016, oil on canvas, 121.9 x 121.9 cm, 48 x 48 in
Millennial Mom defiantly brandishing a caulking gun.
I’m Not a Princess, 2017, oil on canvas, 91.4 x 91.4 cm, 36 x 36 in
Millennial Mom crouched on the floor in rubber gloves, scrubbing tile.
This is Not a Fairytale, 2017, oil on canvas, 91.4 x 91.4 cm, 36 x 36 in

IV. LIGHT

Only in leaning in to our suffering does our grief transform into the final chapter, where awareness and compassion lead us to find peace, acceptance and love.

Know thyself.

    — Socrates

Millennial Mom, teary and holding a tissue to her face.
Forgive Me, 2017, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in
Millennial Mom, on her knees, gazing down in defeat.
Millennial Mom Surrenders, 2017, oil on canvas, 121.9 x 121.9 cm, 48 x 48 in
Millennial Mom, gazing up into night sky.
Ask. Let Go. Listen, 2018, oil on canvas, 91.4 x 61 cm, 36 x 24 in
Smiling, happy family including Millennial Mom, husband, and four children
Loving Can Hurt, 2017, oil on canvas, 61 x 121.9 cm, 24 x 48 in
Millennial Mom sitting cross-legged, eyes closed.
Millennial Mom Battles Monkey Mind, 2016, oil on canvas, 121.9 x 121.9 cm, 48 x 48 in
Millennial Mom, her head and shoulders, directly gazing at viewer.
Love Yourself First, 2018, oil on canvas, 91.4 x 121.9 cm, 36 x 48 in
Millennial Mom's hair blows in the wind as she watches a beautiful sunset.
There Will Be an Answer, 2016, oil on canvas,121.9 x 152.4 cm, 48 x 60 in
Millennial Mom's head and shoulders, gazing in the distance, wind blowing her hair.
Dream Bravely. Go After What You Want., 2017, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in
Millennial Mom cuddling a smiling bespectacled child on her lap.
May You Be Safe and Protected, 2017, oil on canvas, 121.9 x 91.4 cm, 48 x 36 in
Millennial Mom's face, smiling brightly.
Our Playing Small Does Not Serve the World, 2015, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 61 cm, 30 x 24 in

 

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