![[Image Description: Family (Mother and Child). Romare Bearden.. 1980. Color screenprint on cream wove paper. 18in H x 14 in W. A Black mother sits on a brown chair with her right arm around her child who is wearing a blue dress and white shoes. The mother has short curly black hair with brown highlights and a yellow square coming out the back, white triangular earrings, a reddish brown nose and lips, a dark blue long sleeve dress with light blue outlines with a white shirt underneath, a reddish orange apron, and light brown shoes. Her eyes and nose are outlined with blue lines and her hands are large and appear more dimensional than the other parts of her body. Her left hand rests on her knee and her right hand is held with thumb and third finger touching while resting on the child’s elbow. The child has short dark curly hair with a white triangle coming out the back and white eyes. She stands with her left side resting on her mother’s apron looking towards the right side of the print. Her arm bent at the elbow, palm open and facing up. A bright blue wall is behind the chair with a painting with green hills, trees, white sky, and blue clouds with a light gray frame. There is a dark blue shape under the painting that resembles an arched entryway. The chair is sitting on a floor consisting of light gray, dark gray, and blue rectangles - some vertical and some horizontal. The angles are such that it creates somewhat of an optical illusion.]](https://portlandartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Romare-Bearden-1200-975x500.jpg)
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, we invite you to think of a person who has been a strong maternal presence in your life. It could be your mother, grandmother, auntie, close friend, teacher or other care provider, another parent, guardian, or person close to you. Someone who embodies the care and love and support that we see in this piece by Romare Bearden. Take a moment to write that person a letter today, even if you never send it.
We have 2 prompts to help you get started. As always, you can use one, both, or write whatever else comes. Just set a timer for 8 minutes and keep your pen or pencil moving.
The thing about you and me… / I want you to know…
Writing in community is powerful. We are grateful to our longtime partner Write Around Portland for the writing prompts and inspiration. You can revisit past Sunday posts and look for continuing weekly posts through the spring. Please share your work with us! @writearoundpdx @portlandartmuseum #RespectWritingCommunity #WriteAroundPAM
Romare Bearden, Family (Mother and Child), ca. 1980, color screenprint on cream wove paper, Museum Purchase: Helen Thurston Ayer Fund, © artist or other rights holder, 80.88.1
