I really appreciate your observations here Linda. Sounds as though you've also been given a gift of ideas for a book. This is a great outline for one.
And I must add, that analogy of being a mother feeling "competent and totally inept at the same time" makes all of your male counterparts here have a connection as to what motherhood is really all about. Because, creating a painting is like experiencing a birth. Of course without all the pain and cussing! Ok....maybe a little cussing.
~Gear