De la nada (From nothing/Of nowhere) is an ongoing series of fiber sculptures that combines my interest in our conception and experience of time, creating something out of nothing, sun-reactive chemistry, artifacts, fiber arts, and abstraction. I create each work following the same process, which allows for chance and exploration while still letting me plan certain aspects of the work. This is similar to how I approach my life. I need just enough structure to allow for enjoyable spontaneity.

I start each sculpture by creating a cyanotype on fabric using dried flowers or plants that are tied to a particular event in my life. I cut up the cyanotype and reconstruct the pieces into a collage, representing my inability to remember clearly and my desire to recreate the moment. Then I hand weave a structure for the collage using wool and cotton on either a frame loom, a floor loom, or directly onto the wall. My methods and materials are significant to my mestizo heritage and my family history in Arizona and the Southwest United States of America. I then sew the collage onto the hand woven structure using a specific stitch. The wool, cotton, cyanotype-treated fabric, and brass, will each deteriorate at different rates. Through this series I am capturing who I am as an artist and new mother while connecting with where I come from and who I am becoming.

I live in a place without time, in the realm of the mothers. — Jazmina Barrera, Linea Nigra.

During my transition into motherhood I kept a sketchbook where I would make very quick drawings from the corner of my bedroom in short bursts. I made them irregularly and at odd hours, whenever I had a few minutes and I wasn't too tired, hungry, confused, overwhelmed, taking medication, giving myself a shot, recording my blood pressure, breastfeeding the baby, caring for my baby, eating, going to the restroom, researching something about the baby on my phone, or resting.

Months later, when I had some childcare, time, and space, I recreated my simple drawings on a variety of surfaces, including wood, linen, and ceramic stoneware, using acrylic paint, mediums, and glazes. These paintings record my matrescence, a vulnerable and universal experience that is ongoing. I have joined the realm of mothers.

I created this series of watercolors during an island vacation on my first trip away from my baby. Each day during my trip I took out my watercolors and pastels and forced myself to capture my feelings and my environment. During this trip, I pumped milk from my breasts every couple of hours to keep up my milk supply. I wrestled with my new role as a mother and the difficulty of filling my own cup while supporting my family and social network. I was able to take this vacation because my parents and sisters watched our baby for my husband and me. I felt guilty about leaving my baby and being able to take a trip at all.

This series is a reminder for me that we all need a rest, a vacation, a true break. We also cannot mother alone. It takes a community of support to raise children.