"She's a Fighter"

I was in college when my professor made a generalized comment to our illustration class that we were 'slacking'. The words cut like a knife as I thought through the countless mornings I had arrived at the studio at 4:00am to work on projects. I couldn't have given more. I raised my hand to counter my professors remarks and he joked that I was getting out the boxing gloves. The same professor also sent me a condolences email when I told him I was pregnant with my first child, saying to too many female painters walked away from their careers to be a mom. "I have seen a select few mom's be able to create work and juggle a family, not very many."  I took that as a challenge. Can you be a mother and an artist? Yes. But you might have to fight for it. 14" x 18" oil on panel