Kate Hansen Art
  • Home
  • Gallery News
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Madonna and Child Project
  • Pivot Line
  • Grad Show 2001
  • The Artful Mother
  • Contact

Rollerderby Saved My Sanity (and body!)

4/15/2011

4 Comments

 
So, as many of you might already know... I joined roller derby.  I've joined The Dodge City Rollers, an enthusiastic rookie team here in Cumberland BC.  I've since become a little obsessed, promoting roller derby, watching roller derby, even making roller derby art like the picture below:
Picture
I haven't given up on the Madonna and Child Project, in fact I may have a roller derby madonna to add to the lineup, but I'm just finding I have some new interests in my life.  It's been quite a revelation that my body is still capable of something so physical.  Childbirth took such a toll on my body and my energy levels that I almost felt like I would never get my old athletic body back.  I felt like that was ok- I was willing to make that sacrifice for my kids, I was willing to give up my body for the bodies of my children.  What a revelation to realize I don't have to make that choice!  It's been amazing to realize that I can sometimes make myself a priority, to make sure I have a life outside of my children.

Here are some before and after photos of my progress.  I have not lost much weight mind you, because I'm building a lot of muscle, but I've lost a lot of belly fat.  If this doesn't inspire you to join roller derby I don't know what will.
 
Picture
This photo is from April 5th, when I was already feeling pretty good about my progress.

Picture
This is April 15th- only 10 days later.  Maybe my bikini days aren't over after all!

So... if you ever wonder about pursuing your own interests, putting yourself first occasionally... if you ever feel guilty like I did for wanting to spend a little time away from your kids... just do it.  I find I have so much more patience, so much more joy to offer my kids since I started taking care of myself.  If roller derby hasn't saved my soul it at least saved my sanity!
4 Comments
Melodie link
4/15/2011 01:58:19 pm

I think this is so cool Kate! And especially neat that you're doing it in Cumberland where I grew up! Actually I grew up all over the Comox Valley, but I spent grades 4-6 in Cumberland. Isn't it a great little town? I have a couple of friends doing Roller Derby. It scares me a little - all that gritty female energy, but it does look like fun and it's probably the coolest sport around.I love the nicknames everyone has. Anyway, I get what you mean about taking care of yourself and getting out of the house and away from the kids. While it isn't exercise, I've started volunteer work and it fills my soul in a different way. Take care!

Reply
khairun link
7/11/2011 09:54:05 pm

Hello Kate

Just want to say how much I'm enjoying reading your blog and looking at your wonderful art work. This post is very encouraging for me, as a mother of a toddler, with plans for a second one in the very near future! I'm constantly at battle between the things I'd like to do just for my own gratification and actively spending time with my son. I find activities like writing and painting, things that I love to do, the very things I also hate to do the most because I feel I have to be alone to do that ie. away from my son, and all the noise that comes with my son!
How do you manage the time and environment you need for your art, whilst being a mother and not feel those twinges of guilt?

Thanks again for a thoroughly good read.

Khairun


Reply
Kate Hansen link
7/12/2011 01:21:58 am

Khairun- my art only gets done when my kids are sleeping! I agree, I just can't do something like art with my children awake. It's just not possible. It's something that has to wait until evening, and I tend to get very little sleep because of it. As for roller derby- I use my husband and my mother as caregivers to do that. That way I have time every week just for myself. Thanks for taking the time to write!

Reply
cool sculpting Sydney link
6/24/2012 10:52:47 pm

nice art dear i love you post. thank you so much for share here.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Five Star Friday
    Picture
    A blog on art, roller derby and life.

    Kate Hansen

    I'm an artist and mother of two  in Courtenay, BC.  I've completed a project called the "Madonna and Child Project," and I'm now working on a series of roller derby inspired drawings. In my spare time I play roller derby with the Brick House Betties.  

    Kate Hansen

    Promote Your Page Too

    Archives

    November 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010

    Categories

    All
    Age Old Questions
    Amy Jenkins
    Amy Swagman
    Art
    Art Censorship
    Art Gallery
    Birth
    Black Rose Tattoo
    Bonnie Lynn Polnaszek
    Breastfeeding
    Capturing The Spirit
    Carole Epp
    Censorship
    Chilbirth
    Childbirth
    Children
    Christmas Cards
    Cipa
    Circumcision
    Day Of The Dead
    Domestic Violence Awareness Month
    Exhibition
    Facebook
    G20
    Gillian Clarke
    Halloween
    Iblce
    Ican
    Japan
    Jennifer Linton
    Jennifer Mcnichols
    Kate Wilhelm
    Kids
    Kim Kardashian
    Leif Harmsen
    Madonna And Child Project
    Mandala Journey
    Martha Jablonski- Jones
    Michelle And Sawyer
    Molar Pregnancy
    Motherhood
    Movember
    Muertos And Marigolds
    Muir Gallery
    Nursing In Public
    Petite Mort Gallery
    Poetry
    Psychology Today
    Public Heath
    Rachel Epp Buller
    Racism
    Respect The Breast
    Roller Derby
    Ron Mueck
    Russ And Lisa
    Sunday Feature
    Tattoo
    The Leaky B@@b
    The Madonna And Child Project
    Tiara And Eve Marie
    Toddlers
    Unassisted Birth
    Valentine
    Vancouver Island Music Festival
    Vbac

    RSS Feed


Proudly powered by Weebly