Mother’s Day is this Sunday (May 10th!) and we wanted to give a shout-out to some worthy designers and artists who are making the world brighter daily with their illustration and artistic prowess. First up, check out the below–design by Emily McDowell Studio who featured Masha’s mother’s story recently on Instagram:

“I’m so grateful to @mashadyans for sharing today’s amazing Mother’s Day story: ‘My mother @galinasuperstar was born to an 18-year-old unmarried engineering student in Lenigrad, Soviet Russia. Since my grandmother (kicked out from her parental home for her pregnancy) had to work as well as continue with her studies, my mother spent her entire childhood in grim boarding institutions. Amazingly, despite this (or perhaps as a direct result) she developed killer wit, unflappable optimism, profound support of her mom and sublime artistic talent. She grew up, graduated from an elite art institute, dated and married a series of questionable men, started a fashion career, exhibited her fine art work, gained membership to a prestigious art union, yet still found herself unhappy in the limits of the regime before her. Artists were not allowed to express themselves freely but, above all, my mom wanted her two kids to never know the kinds of hardships she endured. My little brother was unwell to boot, struggling with the cruelty of soviet teachers, doctors, etc. So she did the impossible; somehow, having overcome absurd and seemingly endless obstacles (which are hard to convey to those born in the free world), she procured a Visa out of the iron curtain. My mom, my five-year-old brother and I left Russia for the great unknown with nothing more than a hundred dollars and a few of her paintings folded up in a suitcase: all that a family was allowed to take upon relinquishing soviet citizenship. Looking back, it’s hard to believe her badass-ness. After a patchy journey through Europe (where we were stateless and uncertain of any future but having tremendous fun being kids without school), and a series of tragicomic starts in the States, this woman managed to provide my brother and I with a safe, nurturing life & premium education (not to mention the borscht & handmade toys & fashion) all by herself in a new reality without guidance or resources at hand. She even succeeded in bringing our grandmother over after just a year in the States. Her bravery and imagination take my breath away and I owe her everything.'”

If you’re itching for more for your favorite mom, look below for a few more favorites to bestow on your nearest and dearest. Don’t forget to write a heartfelt message and maybe throw in a hug or two! She is most definitely worth it:

Mother’s Day Kids by Fugu Fugu Press

Hedgehog Mom by Meg Hunt for Red Cap Cards Mom Forever from Rifle Paper Co.

Call Your Mother by Iron Curtain Press