"During the three weeks I spent in Mother’s Milk I worked tentacularly on several projects. During the day I worked on writing projects and on a small series of drawings for an upcoming exhibition. In the evenings I gathered sound and footage for my main body of research which addresses the representation of Nature and nonhuman beings. I used an infrared camera and a regular one to capture nocturnal images of the nonhuman inhabitants of the area, letting myself be surprised by these small but extraordinary discoveries. It was wonderful to work in a residency without pressures where I could explore, experiment or simply gather rich material for future projects."
Marvin created a seven-foot square drawing and smaller works using rust he collected from the old farm machinery on the grounds. His work is inspired by the imposition of architecture onto the natural landscape.
"Artist and writer, we came to Mother’s Milk to each do our own work and to discover if we might collaborate."
"Pat used every wall available to her in the barn, creating large works to express and explore ideas. During the isolation of Covid, she had reworked used-cut-Japanese fishnets into new grids that evoke barbed wire and she brought this work, called “Koan” to completion. Old, rusted farm implements, tools, and broken parts became molds for skin membrane. The parchment-like results were installed on the wall above the found objects. This piece, “Remembrance,” evokes the memory of the working farm that once existed on this land as well as more metaphorical musings on a long life."
"Gail continued research and writing on a work in progress which deals with two long term interests of hers: the country of Namibia and the rhino, which is threatened with extinction. Bringing her greater pleasure was her work on several poems she brought to the residency and the drafting of some ten new poems. Three of these new poems are directly inspired by three of Pat’s pieces, “Koan,” “Remembrance,” and “Pelt.” The residency gave each of us and both of us together the rare calm and quiet we find most conducive to creative work. These few weeks provided us with an enormous reservoir of experience that we will draw upon, one filled with gratitude for what we received in this remarkable place."
SILENCE September
27, 2021
Ninety-one
degrees
wind
robins
in the field
bales
grasshopper
at the door
stones
spiderweb
into the air
sunflowers
whirligig
without its stand
zinnias
root
across the pavement
trucks
barn
against the sky
tomatoes
nets
on the floor
pelts
nets
above the pelts
falling
mother
with apron strings
breathing
implements
among the dead
rusted
mystery
behind the wall
barbed
shadows
over the path
chairs
meeting
under the trees
espresso
Tranströmer
before chocolate
silence
broken
"My time at Mother's Milk was a much needed reprieve from the demands of my typical day-to-day, and I was able to spend the three weeks working intensively on drafting longform nonfiction essay that I had been struggling to carve out time for back home. The studios in the barn and the living quarters at the residency were bright and calming, and I loved being able to move between workspaces throughout the day—following the sunlight as it moved over the farm, taking breaks to go on long walks or pick vegetables from the garden. I left Mother's Milk feeling reconnected with my inspiration and a sense of balance in my daily creative practice."
"I had the privilege of staying and working at Mother’s Milk in October 2021 and found the residency to be exactly what I needed: ample time and space, far from distractions, to think through and work on several projects, both old and new. The working space —a converted hay barn — was a comfortable and airy setting for me to establish a creative rhythm during my residency. Gerry and Nelson were amiable hosts, who were respectful whenever I was working, but were also willing to answer any questions that arose during my stay."