Painting, Surrogacy, and the Art of Giving
Discovering a New Creative Side
One year, a friend introduced me to painting.
I had never seen myself as a painter, or even someone artistic, but something about our conversation intrigued me. So, I decided to give it a try.
Watching the Canvas Come Alive
As I made my debut into painting, I discovered something I didn’t expect - I loved it.
I loved watching a blank white canvas slowly come alive with colour, each brushstroke adding depth and meaning. After a few paintings, I realized it wasn’t just the final product that brought me joy, it was the whole process. The focus, the creativity, the sense of calm. It felt like a part of me I didn’t know existed had suddenly woken up.
The Vulnerability of Giving It Away
Eventually, I had the idea to give one of my paintings away as a gift.
Until then, only my friends, my family, and the occasional social media post had seen my work. Giving a painting away, knowing someone would hold it, examine it, and display it in their home… that was different. Vulnerable. Honest.
I wasn’t a professional painter. I knew I still had so much growing to do. But there was someone I wanted to share this piece with, so I decided to give it a try.
Creating With Extra Care
When I started that gift painting, I noticed something shift.
I was more careful.
More intentional.
More precise.
Every colour choice mattered. Every detail meant something.
I poured more love into that painting than any I’d ever made for myself. This time, it wasn’t just for me, it was for someone else.
A Moment I’ll Never Forget
When the day came to give it away, the best part wasn’t the finished canvas, it was the look on the recipient’s face.
Someone who is never short on words was suddenly speechless, taking in the fact that I had made something just for them.
I will never forget that moment. Even today, I still paint for myself and sometimes for others, but when I create something for someone else, it takes on a whole new meaning. A whole new kind of love.
And this story, this feeling, is absolutely true for another part of my life as well: Surrogacy.
The Surprising Parallel
People often ask me, “How can you give the baby away?” when we are talking about surrogacy, but to me, the answer is simple.
Just like painting something meant as a gift, surrogacy begins with the understanding that what you’re creating isn’t yours to keep. From the moment the journey begins, the baby is theirs - their DNA, their future, their family.
Caring for Something That Isn’t Yours to Keep
Just like a painting meant for someone else, going into a surrogacy journey means knowing from the very beginning that the baby isn’t mine to keep. The baby is simply mine to care for, nurture, protect, and help grow until they’re ready to be given to their true parents.
I have never given away one of my own children. I’ve never felt loss or regret.
What I have felt is gratitude that I got to play a role in helping a family come together. I had my time with each baby I carried. I gave them love, nourishment, and a safe place to grow.
The Moment That Changes Everything
The moment the intended parents see their baby for the first time is something I will carry in my heart forever.
Their shock, their joy, their tears… it is one of the most breathtaking moments of my life, every single time.
It feels exactly like that moment I handed over my first painting, only amplified a thousand (maybe a million) times.
Surrogacy Is Not Giving Up - It’s Giving Forward
Ask any artist or crafter who pours their heart into what they create - the joy is in watching someone else’s world light up.
Surrogacy isn’t about giving up something that was ever mine.
It’s about creating something beautiful to share.
It’s about love, intention, and purpose.
It’s about giving a family a gift that lasts a lifetime.
Just like painting, surrogacy is an art form created with love, and meant to be given away.
