Belly Art on Display

Walk into Pine Cone Café any time this month and prepare to be mesmerized, or in my kids’ case, a little giggly. Personally, I was in awe of the beauty. In honor of mothers, local artist Francine Krause has adorned the walls with her art. If you are not familiar with Francine, you should be – especially if you are currently pregnant or thinking of becoming full with child. Francine founded BellyMask.com in 1991, a company that offers kits for mothers-to-be to create a mold of their pregnant belly to be used for art long after the baby has grown. These plaster molds are beautiful plain, or decorated with paint and fabric. Does it sound strange? Sure. Even I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect as I made my way down N. Main St. in Sebastopol to a tiny café hidden at the end of the shops lining the street. But once inside, I understood.

Here’s a taste of what I saw…

Pregnancy is one of those experiences that only lasts a short amount of time compared to the rest of our lives. But it is the time that is remembered most in a mother’s life. It is when big is suddenly beautiful, and a protruding belly represents the life within. It is truly one of the most miraculous events of life, to actually have this little being growing and moving inside of us before finally greeting the world. It is in this time that we are a temple, treated with care by our partner as we house the connection we have created together.

For all of this month, Francine Krause’s exhibit, “In Honor of Pregnant Women” will be on display over at the Pine Cone Café on N. Main St. I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone make it a point to be in the neighborhood and check out this amazing art display.

You may want to leave your giggly children and/or husband at home, however.