1.17.2009

Cary York

Our second featured contributor for the Bellies and Babies Blessingway Giveaway is Cary York from Cary York. You can also visit her Etsy site here. Her slogan is Art, Illustration, Inspiration... and her work truly is.

To enter to win the beautiful birth altar kit that she is contributing, along with many other goodies to be featured later, please follow the instructions here.

Now, without further ado, let me introduce to you Cary York!

I started my career as an artist when I got my BA in fine arts. I was a starving artist for 10 years then went to nursing school in the hopes of going on to be a nurse midwife. I became a labor and delivery nurse who discovered the broad divide between natural and medical birth at a conference with all the big players - Ina May, Marsden Wagner, Robbie Davis Floyd, etc. I never saw labor the same way again. I decided to birth naturally at home with a midwife for my own two.


I am not a obstetrics basher. I fully recognize the value and necessity for sound medical intervention in some high risk cases. I have been on both sides and think that the system is horrible for the most part, and a god-send in a crisis. Women have lost so much power in the name of "safety".

So I bumbled around trying to figure out what I could do with my passion.



I could no longer stand working in the L&D, but couldn't see my life without birth. So then the first part of my career life converged with my second and my purpose was then clear. I started selling my birth art on Etsy last year. It has been a fantastic success already. I am thrilled, especially to meet such amazing women from around the world. So cool. I still work as a nurse part time in pediatrics and I love it.

The art may eventually allow me to let go of that, but for now one career informs the other etc. I am turning 40 in two weeks, I have two daughters both at home, the first was an amazing vision quest type experience with a transfer to the hospital for complications( I had been sick with pneumonia-It was my informed, empowered, choice, and the best choice for me, long story) the baby was born healthy and so was I.

The whole thing was otherworldly and I cherish it for how deep and hard it was. And the second was the simple, fun, beautiful, waterbirth that is now my most popular painting. I created the book for siblings out of my love of kids and a need in my birth community. I also sell my work at birth conferences and through midwives.

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Cary is also a blogger, as seen at RagaMama, so be sure to visit her there.



In addition to all of this, I have to also add that, when I opened the package from her, I found her beautiful coloring book for children "Mama, When Is The Baby Gonna Hatch" as a gift to me! Thank you Cary!!! This book is definitely going on my recommended reading for families with small kids who are getting ready to welcome a new little one.

9 comments:

Toni said...

Oh my goodness Cary York, you are so talented! I absolutely loved your waterbirth print. It so accurately described my experience! I would love to give one to my midwife. Beautiful work!

Mandy said...

while i love them all, i think "a love like no others" is my favorite!

Jill said...

My midwife has that print! I love it!

Rebecka Jeffs said...

I love your work, how stunning! I must say that my favorite is the book "Mama, When Is The Baby Gonna Hatch" There aren't many natural books to welcome a new sibling. I have a 3 year old boy that is very interested in the baby and thinks it's already time for "him" to come out even though I'm only 8 weeks. :)

TopHat said...

My favorite is "In all Her Power" because that's how I felt giving birth. I keep trying to get my husband to buy it for me. I think I might just have to by it myself!

BirchLeaf Designs - Wendy and Mojo said...

Whoa! Cary's drawings are absolutely amazing! It is really hard to choose a favorite, but I really like the children's hatched book http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15021972

BirchLeaf Designs - Wendy and Mojo said...

Whow! Cary's drawings are absolutely beautiful! It's hard to choose a favorite, but I really like the children's hatched book http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15021972

Kris said...

I love the waterbirth painting. Only a waterbirth mama could have painted those feelings of seeing your baby's sweet face emerge from underwater. Magical.... Cary, I'm really excited for your success, and the way you are able to synthesize your passions into something that is giving so much joy to others.

Re said...

these are awesome. i love the 'love like no other' work

keep up the great work. great talent

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