August Moon Muse: Or Lapid

August Moon Muse

OR LAPID

A London-Based Artist's Melding of Art and Motherhood

Or, 37- lives in London; photographed here at her childhood home in Reut, Israel. She lives with husband Daniel Jackont, 33- fashion photographer, and their son Karni, 3. We visited the art-filled home where she grew up and spoke about how motherhood reshaped her studio practice, the way she fills her home with color and play, and how family life now sits at the heart of her work.

I remember feeling that my son was the most meaningful thing I had ever created, and for a period of time art seemed less important.

Tell me about your journey as a designer and a mother- how have they influenced your creative identity?

I became a mother quite soon after completing my MFA in London, and naturally it shifted my focus into a more domestic and, at times, isolated environment. The lack of time and space forced me to work differently- more intuitively, quickly, and with whatever was available around me. In the beginning, I returned to painting through still life's, often incorporating my son’s toys as a way back into the studio. Working within these limitations unexpectedly opened up new creative possibilities. I began experimenting with everyday materials such as cardboard, and sometimes used my son’s drawings as a starting point for my own paintings.

Motherhood also challenged my relationship with art. I remember feeling that my son was the most meaningful thing I had ever created, and for a period of time art seemed less important. But gradually I realized that motherhood had become part of my creative identity rather than something separate from it. Today, I see being an artist and being a mother as two interconnected parts of who I am. Both nourish me, and both continue to shape the way I look at the world and make work.

How have you curated your home to reflect your artistic vision and spark your child’s creativity?

Our flat is very colorful, with artworks covering many of the walls, and creativity is woven into our everyday life. We have a children’s table in the living room filled with different materials, so my son can create whenever he feels like it. Since it’s the room where we spend most of our time, art is always accessible rather than reserved for a special occasion. I also hang his artworks on the walls around the house. It feels important to me that he sees his creations being valued and given space alongside everything else.

As a creative parent, what do you hope for Karni’s creative growth, and how do you see your own practice evolving alongside him?

I wish my son will always feel free to explore, experiment, and create without expectations or pressure. I want creativity to remain a space of curiosity, play, and discovery. I hope to continue developing my own artistic practice while also creating alongside him. I’d love to share more experiences of art and culture with him as he grows, and I’m interested not only in drawing inspiration from his perspective, but also in incorporating his artworks directly into my own practice.

What do you actually do with him to nurture those instincts? Any rituals or go-to activities?

I mainly try to be present, sit with him, observe, and give him the freedom to explore. Rather than directing the process, I like to follow his curiosity and see where it leads. I also introduce him to different materials and techniques that I enjoy, such as paper cutting or gouache painting, and we often create together while listening to music.

When you’re busy with parenting and making, how do you recharge?

Being in nature is probably what recharges me the most. Walks in the park help me slow down, observe, and reconnect with myself. I also try to make time for yoga or Pilates and to take care of my physical and mental wellbeing, usually while my son is at nursery. More than anything, I value moments of quiet that bring me back to my inner self. I find that creativity often grows from those moments of stillness.