Tired Mom Sculptures - Alli Plourde - Plourde Arts

I make Tired Moms out of clay because I have a handful of kids, and frankly, it’s the only medium that’s as flexible (and unpredictable) as my life. My work is a way to laugh at the chaos, stretch out the tension, and connect with others who know what it feels like to be endlessly needed, occasionally feral, and somehow still full of love.

These sculptures aren’t about making a grand statement — they’re about finding moments of honesty and humor in the mess. The exaggerated forms and lopsided balance reflect how it feels to parent through exhaustion, to carry too many things at once (literally and figuratively), and to still show up every day.

I hope these pieces make people chuckle, nod, or say “same.” Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that even in the wildest seasons of life, there’s always someone else out there who gets it. And that kind of connection — human to human, mom to mom, person to person — is what keeps me going.