Becoming a mother isn’t simply a bodily transformation, but a creative one as well. This is a sensation with which Caroline Wendelin is deeply familiar.
Before the birth of her first child, the Marbella-based painter maintained a commercial edge to her practice, primarily producing pop art pieces. It was motherhood, she claims, that eventually prompted her to reassess the authenticity of her work and reimagine her artistic practice.
Today, Wendelin’s canvases bask in warm tones, expressive forms, and an ethereality that’s almost reminiscent of a dream. Her subjects are similarly transcendent, centering on women and the delicate balance between femininity, resilience, and vulnerability. For Wendelin, these thematic and stylistic shifts are largely the result of having children, allowing her to embrace a new sense of honesty or rawness in her work.
As such, it’s unsurprising that Wendelin’s children figure strongly in her art. At 4 years old, Wendelin’s oldest daughter often joins her mother in the studio, experimenting with paint and color in ways that surprise and ultimately inspire Wendelin in turn. The artist’s younger two children provide similar lessons in patience and innovation, which Wendelin credits as the reason her art is more genuine than that of her past.
My Modern Met had the chance to speak with Caroline Wendelin about her artistic influences, her creative process, and how motherhood impacted her art. Read on for our exclusive interview with the artist.
What originally drew you to creating art, and how did you develop your personal style over time?
Art has always called to me—I have always had the need to capture beauty and to tell stories. My mother and father are both very artful: they were always painting when I was a child and this made me see art as a basic part of life. I loved drawing in my teenage years, then studied film and photography when I was 18, then shifted to digital art in my early 20s, and now I’m back to painting on canvas.
Are there any artistic styles that you find yourself particularly influenced by?
Monet has always been a big influence—when I look at his paintings I can feel the magic. But I also love the delicate detail and storytelling of fairy tale illustrations. It’s like they whisper secrets you have to lean in to hear, and I was always fascinated by them as a child.
What is your creative process in creating your art?
I usually start with a quite clear idea, often it’s a story I can’t get out of my head. I sketch loosely to get a sense of movement, and then I build from there, layer by layer. Working as an artist can feel a bit lonely sometimes, but I’m not very social so I’m fine with that, and I always have podcasts playing in the background while I work. I find inspiration in listening to people’s stories, and at the same time it feels like I’m chatting with friends.
Your art often centers women and themes of femininity, ethereality, and resilience. What roles do these motifs play in your practice?
Women hold so much strength while balancing vulnerability, and I find that fascinating. There is divinity in womanhood: we are portals of life.
As for the ethereal, I think it comes from how I see the world: even in the messiness of life, I love to see the magic hiding everywhere, especially in nature.
You’ve said that your painting style has evolved since becoming a mother. How?
Before I became a mother, my art was more commercial. I wanted it to sell. I was making a kind of “pop art” which so many other artists did before me. But motherhood changes your lens completely—I looked at my daughters and my son, and realized I want them to see me being true to myself. My work now feels more raw, more honest. It’s less about pleasing others and more about exploring what I find beautiful. I think it’s also much slower—motherhood has taught me patience.
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How do your children impact your art? How do you involve them within your process?
My children are little artists themselves, and they look at the world with such wonder. It reminds me to stay curious, and to not take myself too seriously. My 4-year-old daughter chooses color combinations that always surprise me, and she has no interest in pleasing others while she paints. It inspires me.
My two younger ones are still too small to paint on canvas (they are 3 years old and 1 year old, respectively), but my oldest daughter often spends a lot of time with me in the studio.
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What do you hope people will take away from your art?
I hope my work feels like an invitation to feel—to find beauty in the details of life. I want people to walk away with a sense of connection, like they’ve stumbled into a daydream where everything makes a little more sense. And maybe even showing that resilience can look soft, too.
Do you have any exciting new projects coming up this year?
I have a few limited-edition print drops planned, which I’m really excited about. I’m also working on a new series of paintings that lean more into landscapes, with a dreamy twist. It’s been a fun challenge to step into something new, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.