Maternal Reflections

Holding Reproductive Memories in Artwork

A one-of-a-kind artwork created about your unique reproductive story.

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  • Through this Arts in Counseling project, artist heather michel riddle meets with you for a guided conversation to gently witness and explore a pivotal moment in your reproductive journey. She then translates the emotional and symbolic essence of your narrative into an original one-of-a-kind artwork.

    “Reproductive journey” is inclusive of pregnancy, birth, loss, NICU, fertility, adoption, fostering, postpartum, godparenting and grandparents taking care of grandchildren. For those whose efforts to conceive did not lead to motherhood, your story is deeply meaningful and welcome here.

    Full Description
    This project was envisioned and designed by Lindsay Edwards, a perinatal mental health therapist and creative arts therapist, because she knows the mental health benefits for moms when a) they get to share their stories; b) someone deeply listens to their stories, then furthermore c) their story is metabolized and reflected in such a poignant, lasting way.

    Participants are invited into a private, fully guided 60-minute conversation with heather—a space that’s just for you, where you don’t have to take care of anyone else for a little while. There’s nothing to prepare and no pressure to share in any certain way—come as you are (babies are welcome).

    Together, you’ll gently explore a meaningful moment from your experience—whether that’s pregnancy, birth, loss, fertility, adoption, fostering, postpartum, or motherhood. Whether your story feels clear or hard to put into words, Heather helps you slow it down and make sense of it at your own pace.

    This isn’t about getting it “right” or telling a perfect story—it’s about having your experience witnessed, held with care, and reflected back to you in a way that often doesn’t happen in everyday life.

    Following this session, heather enters a dedicated period of artistic creation, translating the emotional and symbolic essence of your narrative into an original, one-of-a-kind artwork. Each piece is created over several weeks and either shipped to you or presented to you in a brief follow-up hand off. The result is a deeply personal artifact—crafted to be kept, honored, and revisited over time.

    Artwork is approximately 6×8 to 8×10 inches.

  • As part of this experience you will:

    • Engage in a fully guided 60 min guided conversation with artist heather (in-person or telehealth)

    • After the meeting, heather will create an original two-dimensional artwork inspired by your story.

    • heather presents you with your artwork either in-person or through shipping.

  • While we know the value is higher, the current cost of this experience is $185. Includes guided conversation, original artwork (complimentary frame), artwork delivery.

Sample Artwork from Maternal Reflections Project
by heather michel riddle

  • An abstract mixed media artwork combining torn fabric, pencil sketches, and collage elements. The composition features a large red fabric piece, a small nest with an egg, and a staircase leading upward, all arranged on a white background.
  • Watercolor painting of a woman's profile with butterflies around her head and a landscape within her silhouette, including mountains, water, and trees.
  • Mixed media artwork with watercolor paint, collage paper, and dried plant material on white textured background.
  • Watercolor painting of a small pond with tall, thin trees and white flowers, on a floating piece of land.
  • Watercolor painting of a plant growing from a cracked ceramic pot with a textured blue and white background.

about heather

heather michel riddle (she/her) is a mother and artist living and working in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter. As an artist parent, her art is influenced and intertwined by the specific - surroundings, family, daily caregiving responsibilities - as well as broader topics including mothering, reproductive justice/infertility, mental health and grief. Often working in series, her practice ranges from painting to mixed-media work. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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