Art, Motherhood & Creative Expression: A Morning with Madeline Donahue
Last Friday, Leatherology founder Rae Liu opened her home for a special event at the intersection of contemporary art and craftsmanship. Timed alongside Dallas Art Week, the intimate breakfast talk was a thoughtful activation featuring Brooklyn-based artist Madeline Donahue, presented in collaboration with Nina Johnson Gallery and moderated by curator Emily Edwards.
A close-knit group of guests gathered in the morning for an open, honest, and often humorous conversation about art and motherhood, a recurring theme throughout Donahue’s body of work. Known for her expressive drawings and ceramic sculptures, Donahue explores the physical and emotional realities of parenting, from the chaos and exhaustion to the beauty found in routine moments. Her work is often deeply personal but instantly familiar, especially to fellow mothers who recognize themselves in her lines and forms.
As guests sipped coffee and shared stories over breakfast, the conversation touched on themes of vulnerability, identity, and transformation. Donahue spoke candidly about how her practice evolved alongside her role as a mother, offering insights into how care and creativity coexist, and sometimes collide.
Featured Works by Madeline Donahue
The themes discussed during the talk were further brought to life by a selection of Donahue’s work, which reflects motherhood’s nuance and physicality in both literal and emotional ways:
Floatie, 2025
Summer, 2024
Will you Read to Me While I Cook?, 2024
A Thoughtful Collaboration
One of the highlights of the morning was a limited-edition Leatherology keychain, gifted to each attendee. Guests had the option to get the keychain debossed live on site during the event. The piece featured a custom illustration by Donahue, inspired by Rae Liu’s own garden. Each keychain was individually hand-debossed with the artwork, a simple yet meaningful gesture that echoed the event’s themes of intimacy, collaboration, and personal connection.
More than a gift, the keychain gifting station was a symbol of what Leatherology stands for: finding artistry in everyday objects and using design as a medium for personal storytelling. Through collaborations like this one, Leatherology continues its ongoing support of the arts, honoring the power of creativity in all forms.
From personal experience to shared dialogue, this event reminded us that even the smallest details can carry big meaning.