Painting Illustrations | Mariam El Quessny

MARIAM EL-QUESSNY

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cat mom

Dolly

Anxiety

Nostalgia

Nursing can be

80's portrait

Preemie

Queen

Bonding

Fever

sara elsayeh.jpg

Say Her Name

3 Generations of Love

Kat Nap

Work Space

Bloom

Holding a Chicken

Beautiful Mess

Mom Selfie

Hope

Kiss Through A Screen

Beach Day

Wooden Dolls

The News

Mom says:
“Today was supposed to be the due date of my little baby girl.. I really don’t know what to say but I felt like sharing that thought, it’s so hard keeping all this pain to yourself. It’s been four and half months since I Iost her and it’s been 2 years since I lost her older sister. I am a childless mother. A mother of two little girls up in heaven, living in the presence of God. I still can’t grasp the concept. But every once in awhile reality sinks in and then suddenly there's that squeeze in my heart that knocks me on my knees and the only thing I can do is cry and pray for God to give me enough strength to pass this break down in peace. I am broken, my heart is broken, and my ego is broken. I’ve learned that I am not as strong as I thought I was. I’m not strong at all. I think it’s these situations that make you realize that we’re not meant to be that strong.. I’m a weak humble being..”
Full Name removed as per mom’s request.

My picker-upper
My helper
My noise blocker
My friend
Shh-vvvmmmmm

She said:
“My story was, and still is, in the first trimester.. i hate it when they say "but you made the right choice"... If I had a choice, I wouldn't have aborted it. I'm a nonentity now.. i felt motherhood and that cannot be denied. i loved that potential of a human beineg.. i ate delicious food and sang for him/her.
people call it drama.. i call it "don't ask then about what is killing me if you have nothing to say".. and nothing will ever be said could fix what happened.
.
p.s.: please don't mention my name and try to blur the illustrations.

This mom says:
“first time I try to breastfeed outside the house. She is maybe 2 weeks old. It's not very successful. I end up crying and feeling like I will never be able to go out again.”

mom says:
“My labour almost killed me. I actually slipped away for a few seconds. I was in the tub attempting a water birth, it had been almost 2 and a half days of hard labour, & it seems my body buckled under the pure exhaustion. I heard my heart stop, my ears whistle, & i slipped under the water. It felt good to be rid of the pain. It was so tempting to let go; stay in that place of quiet & light...but then i saw ahmed’s broken terrified face as he was trying to shake me back to life. I couldn’t leave him. I came back for him.
I wanted to photograph my placenta to remind myself that my body can & did do miracles. It is ugly & beautiful & raw & frightening & fascinating. Just like being a mum.”

Mommy says:
“Yes!Such a beautiful photo my midwife (@homemadefamilies )took. I had a homebirth and she was doing home care check up. My son was only about a week old here. It was the very beginning of our breastfeeding journey. He was so wonderful and latched beautifully. He will be 10 months tomorrow and I’m still breastfeeding. It’s been quite a journey but I’m thankful for every single moment. Mothers are everything! ✨”

Moe said "it's not good".

Mom say:
“Nadeem was diagnosed six months earlier. Ramy was three months old in the picture. March 2010. Between grappling to learn about Autism to help nadeem and a new birth I was overwhelmed beyond words. and it was Ali who could see it all, every single layer, and catch it in this moment.”

Lice drama

resting Baby carrier

Hospital cuddles

Post labor hospital cuddles

Dirty Diapers

This mom says:
‘There is also the moment of me sitting at work in a suit hiding in the office bathroom twice a day to pump.

For 3 months.

Everyday.

Renovatio Journal illustration

Berkeley Forest School Rainbow

Out of gallery

A'int no hood like motherhood!