One of the most inspiring things to me about ARiM is the plans for residencies submitted to the website by new artists-in-residence-in-motherhood from all around the world. I have found companionship, inspiration and solace in these descriptions of very familiar challenges, questions and aspirations. In order to extend this to future residents (to you!) this page is an evolving archive of residency questionnaires submitted to ARiM through this website. Please be assured if you fill in the questionnaire on this website, it will not be published. Each individual here was contacted after they submitted their text and gave express permission to publish their residency plans. Names have been removed to preserve anonymity.

Lenka

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I'm about to start my final paper following 3 years of studying towards my Diploma in Digital Photography. I'm based in New Zealand, and am a parent to an 8 and 11 year old. I specialise in photographing social and architectural change in post-earthquake Christchurch, and storytelling through documentary/essay photography is the direction I want to focus on. In addition to my studies and part time paid photography work, I'm currently working on two photo projects:
- My new project explores gender stereotypes and themes in children by showing the impracticality of 'girls' clothing' (frilly, delicate, skirts etc) in environments that are often perceived as 'boys' domains'.
- Maps combines themes of heritage, family, and memory, exploring sites of Christchurch's original portrait studios, with old street maps and images.

At the moment, I'm only able to work on these projects about 5-10 hours per month. I can't multi-task when it comes to parenting and photography (I'm a compartmentaliser), so my project work gets pushed to the bottom of my list as day-to-day life takes over. Parenting has helped me develop empathy in my work, and gives me a great sense of perspective. It does slow down my progress though.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Space - we live in a very small house with no office space (my desk is in our lounge). Because of usual family distractions, this means I can only work when the children are at school or in bed . . .

Restrictive hours - see above point. During the day I need to do my paid work, volunteer work, and study (plus all the usual household stuff). It's difficult to fit in my photo project work within these hours, and very hard to make images in the evening's ideal 'golden hour' when it's also dinner time and homework time! I also seek out art experiences as often as possible to inspire and motivate me, and this becomes difficult in the timeframes I have.

Budget - large-scale international exhibitions and festivals generally travel to Auckland and/or Wellington. Our family's extremely tight budget makes it difficult for me to experience these. This budget also means I purchase second-hand gear, borrow lenses, work on a slow PC, and 'make-do' as best I can.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Space. I'd LOVE an office space.

Increased budget so I can regularly travel north to keep up-to-date with exhibitions and festivals. Also budget for a new PC that will help me work more efficiently, and provide me with more ram so I can use more applications.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Space - increased income through my photography work so I can invest in a shared office space environment in the city (or long-term, new house)

Increased budget - as above, increased income through my photography work so I can regularly travel and purchase necessary new gear as required.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Structure my working hours, and give myself permission to prioritise my photo projects. I'd like to dedicate a specific amount of time per week for this.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: Have completed the images for my new project, and have finished most of the post-production work. I'd like to be working on the marketing of the projects and be scheduling an exhibition and be working towards the writing and publication of my new project.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will maximise my strong planning and networking skills to create a comprehensive schedule for my new project. Using a disciplined approach to my daily routine, I will prioritise these two photography projects in a structured way weekly, recording progress on Trello and spreadsheets. A new approach will be including my children if I need to photograph outside of school hours. This will free up time for me to work. This learning experience for all of us will help my children understand my processes, provide opportunities for them to assist, and make me ask more questions of myself as I’m making my photos. I’ll dedicate specific blocks of time each week in the mornings to write and research offsite so that I’m not distracted by other work or domestic duties. A new PC is the main (urgent) requirement. This will be purchased as soon as budget allows. Until then, I will work as efficiently as possible with the resources I have.

7. Secure the resources you need: Funding applications, sponsorship

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Research and writing for both projects could be done offsite working casually at shared office spaces or libraries.

8. Create a structure for your residency: Photographs will be made on location
Post-production will need to be done at home with my large screen (primarily in the evening)
Writing and research will be done during school hours, after other paid contract work is completed (11am-1pm)

Start: 7/1/2018

End: 6/30/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 8

9. Create accountability for yourself: Use a combination of Trello and spreadsheets to schedule, plan and coordinate the photoshoots with models, and the post-production work.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Via my website, through a public exhibition, via a publication such as Burn or similar. The process will also be documented on FB, Instagram, and Twitter.

11. Community & Peers: Alone.

12. How might you begin?: Create the schedule for the photoshoots, particularly for my new project which incorporates other people.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am currently able to work 2-3 days a week and some nights, this started 5 weeks ago. Before that maybe 1-2 days. I feel a little disconnected from my studio practice, but it is getting better. I am interested in the current pieces I am making but I feel like I am deliberately not started the big pieces I was working on before the pandemic hit.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I spend months consumed by teaching and childcare and then feel disconnected from my studio. It takes a long time to get the studio set up again, and each time, I start something new that takes months to make.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Focus. Time. Childcare. Perspective.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Focus: I need to take steps to begin the work. And to stay organized, not get distracted, and not over-commit.
Time: I need to use all my extra time. If I have a plan- then I can make take small steps. I need to get more organized. If I stay up late, my partner will watch xxx in the morning.
Childcare: I will not have regular child care this summer but must use the time I have and understand what time I need to plan, ask for help, schedule childcare swops.
Perspective: I am having trouble figuring out what of my many projects I should focus on. I need to read, research, and connect with other artists to get feedback. I am currently to insular to see my own work.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Be organized and structured
Make time to see art.
Make time to read
Use every evening/night

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to know what I want to be working on and begin a sustainable regular practice. I want my studio to feel generative and to feel active. I do not want to have to spend an hour cleaning just to start working. I want there to be a ton of unfinished experiments.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Parenting is part of my life, and my life will always be full. I want my studio to engage a space that reflects ideas and feels generative actively. I want to want to spend time out there. I want to have lots of projects going and to get my mind flexible again. I always want to feel like I am in that searching, consuming mind space. I want to take big risks in my work and start the large works that are in my mind.

7. Secure the resources you need: Short term: I am interested in having a studio sale. I think it would be clear out and reconnect and give value to all the small works. It will remind me that I have been making work.
Long Term: I am going to apply for 15 grants this year.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I need to reorganize my workspaces, but I also need to work and not wait for the perfect studio setup. I have everything I need. I need to use it. I need to use the nighttime hours extensively.

I also need to read and research at a regular time weekly because that really does inspire me and connect me to my practice.

I need to get out to my studio right after dinner. we could mover dinner to earlier if I made it with at 4:30. then we could eat at 5:30/6:00 and I could be in my studio at 7:00-12:00

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my studio and office for reading and research.

Weekly trips to see art with my child.

Art21/articles/reading during indoor quiet time with my child (do not clean)

Work in studio directly after dinner. Move dinner to 6:00 pm.

Start: 6/24/2021

End: 9/22/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 20

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will track my hours on my phone or in a physical calendar.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I want to document this residency through IG. I want to post twice a week studio shots. I want my studio to be so full of work that it is "worth posting."

11. Community & Peers: I will try to expand my community on IG- actually, comment and reach out to the artist whose work I like.
I will continue to text xxx every day.

12. How might you begin?: Between now and my residency, I actually have more studio time- I will use that time to organize and create a timekeeping system and research my work.

Once my residency begins, I will start working on plaster and wood pieces.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: 

I work part time. My studio is at home on the farm in a 70m2 shed in the garden. I love my studio, I love drawing. I am scared of the dark so have trouble going out to the studio at night.
Being a parent has affected my working practice in a good way - my kids provide the inspiration for my work. It has also affected by time and energy levels. I am not able to be selfish with my work.
I have work I need to make and ideas but I am not 'feeling it'. I need to fire up and just get on with it.
I have so many conflicting priorities I find it hard to put my time and art first.
I want my own space.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 

1. Time management (I want more time to work but I want to spend time with my kids. I want to exercise and to have a schedule but like to go with the flow or dive into something if I love it)
2. No time to think for myself that isn't scheduled or interrupted. Time to work with no external input/anyone talking to me.
3. Lack of energy/follow through.
4. Accountability (Time - when someone else looking after the kids it should free me to work - being free in that situation, not wanting to put kids in childcare but not being able to afford babysitting, making the most of that time, not having to manage parents-in-law social time when they come to look after the kids and I am working). Being able to completely focus on my work and being committed to that.
5. Under confidence with decisions and direction. I am scared of the dark so easily talk myself out of going to the studio at night.
6. Finding time to exercise so that I feel good and have energy in my body.
7. Lack of friends/support

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 

1. Sleep
2. Inspiration
3. Energy - fire to get up and go to the studio
4. Accountability
5. Confidence
6. Better images for references
7. Community support

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1

1. 45mins of sleep in or go to bed earlier or read for only 30 mins.
2. Time to think on my own.
3. Dedicated exercise time so that I am not slothful.
4. Reminders, check ins or a deadline.
5. Affirmations or praise to remind me I can do it.
6. Subscription to shutter stock.
7. Other artist parents interactions - not sure what this looks like. (I have groups that are close but there is no follow through for catch ups). Maybe I need 1 artist buddy to do things with.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: 

Work in the studio first, admin second.
Exercise regularly.
Have time to myself.
Be adaptable to how and where I make work. Explore what I would make inside at the kitchen table or with the kids around.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: 

Consistently and joyfully making work in the studio. On a path towards a more financially sustainable practice.
Find a way to work inside the house at night.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : 

In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2018 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as an artist. I find now that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: 

Apply for funding through state government to develop my decals/wallpaper and a social media plan.
Follow up commissions.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: 

Work inside in pencil as well as outside in the studio, especially when the kids are having a rough night.
Commit to regular exercise.
Just draw.
Don't feel guilty about the admin.

8. Create a structure for your residency: Home and studio.

Start: 9/2/2018

End: 1/1/2031

How many hours a week will you work?: 15

9. Create accountability for yourself: 

-diary to record time.
-working with a mentor.
-make goals.
-ticking off monthly to do lists not just daily/weekly.
-financial goals (I know what I need to make per month/year to sustain our family)
-photo documentation.
-consistency on social media.

10. Will you share the work you make?: 

social media - instagram.
share my process online and my 'journey' through the residency.
work out a plan to share more than just the finished work.

11. Community & Peers: alone. Need an artist parent buddy. Reach out and connect with others to actually attend an exhibition or catch up. Use some of the time I am with the kids to see art and be social not work time.

12. How might you begin?: Commit to being in the studio 2hrs a day even if that means night time.
Be rigorous with my lists and commitments.
When it is time for work, go. Be on time in the studio.
Make a social media plan. Use a planning app. Don't waste time on FB or the news.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am a writer. I work during nap time and after the children have gone to bed. Some early mornings before they wake up. Their sleep schedule is the circadian rhythm that regulates the flow of my words. I write on counters after I've brushed the crumbs away, I write at the kitchen table, I write in bed, I write on the couch. I'm working on an essay comparing the state of motherhood to pleistocene landbridges. I'd like to be working on a book. But essays on epochs seem more manageable. I feel hopeful and frustrated about my work - the spaces I've found for it in my home and my heart. Motherhood feeds my writing and starves me of the time, space, energy to do it.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: lack of
childcare
mentorship
time
formal training (and the networking that attends it)

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : A writing group would be nice. Accountability would be swell. A mentor would be meaningful. A desk would help. An occasional time to write that is not dependent on a child's nap length.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Writing group! I need to reach out to the writing community in my new city and find one. So, I need courage.
Accountability! I could get this from the writing group I'll get when I get courageous.
Mentor! I don't know. How does a 34 year old mother of three get a mentor?
Desk! IKEA delivers and there is room in my bedroom. Get on it, me.
Time! Money for childcare.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I'd like to have a little bit more of a schedule, a little bit less of the sneaking time in. I'd like to finish a project - a book, or a collection of thematically linked essays. I never finish anything. I would like to create a physical space for myself in my home (a desk!) and a physical space for myself outside of my home (writing groups and public speaking engagements).

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have a rough draft of a book - nonfiction (essays) or fiction. I would like to have developed a practice of productivity.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2009 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as a writer. I find now that many aspects of the literary world are closed to female writers with young children. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. There is little legacy of the writing mothering woman. Well, there is little recognized legacy of the writing mothering woman. Despite a rich history of mothers who write, it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: The move to xxx has given me more time, space and bandwidth. I would like add the benefit of a writing space and break out money for childcare. I can get the childcare money by writing one essay a month for Medium - commercial stuff that hopefully intersects with what I am doing artistically as well.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I can put a desk in my bedroom. Changing my routine would help. I could get up at 5am and get my daily write out before the kids get up. Read a poem in the morning. That leaves me with afternoon naps to work on the longer project/monthly essays. Slowcooker/pressure cooker/no cook dinners on weekdays will free up afternoons. I get more quality time with the kids but also can get daily maintenance done before xxx gets home from work, freeing me up to write as soon as he walks in the door on days when that's necessary/desirable. Add in a nightly delight write and then reading each evening to keep things composting as I sleep and ready to grow in the morning. Make writing my rhythm not just my reason.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my home, at my desk, at my kitchen counter, on my couch.

Start: 2/4/2020

End: 2/4/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 25

9. Create accountability for yourself: Posting three times a week on instagram - my delights, is a way to be accountable for my delight journal. I'll talk to xxx about being a book accountability partner. Word counts, minimum of 750 a day.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will share it on Instagram weekly. Medium monthly. A book with my agent in a year.

11. Community & Peers: Alone - but with support from a partner at home.

12. How might you begin?: I'll begin in the morning - with the first poem read and the first words written. And then I'll do it the next morning and the next and at the end of 365 mornings and the afternoons that followed them, we might have something.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I work in a rush in the mornings before my family wakes up for the day. I work at my dining table or my kitchen table or on my kitchen counter - domestic spaces, but first I set down my batik cloth and light my candle to mark off this space/time as for my own creative work, not domestic or caretaking (and in these days of COVID and working from home, I am marking the space off from my day job). The precious space that I create each morning is a lifeline for me. Even now, I write frantically in this little text box, looking at the time: 6:59 AM. I only have thirty-one more minutes to be in this space, accountable to no one but myself and the creative forces that collaborate with me on good days. Right now, and for many long years, I have been working on a novel. I have also begun to create comics (I am a complete novice at this, but that's what makes it fun and surprising and freeing). The comics is a manifestation of my changing perspective that my creative practice can be informed by, enriched by, co-exist in space/time with my role as mother/parent. I started making comics as an activity that I could do with my ten-year-old son, but now it is something that I do on my own. In fact, I cannot stop myself from doing it. I make at least one to two comics every day. It brings out a playfulness in my creative energy, and that has now begun to infuse itself in my novel. I think I am turning a corner here, where in the past I saw my role as mother in opposition to (stealing time and energy away from) my creative practice, but now I am beginning to embrace it and let it all co-mingle.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Now the biggest challenge for me is the time that I have to spend doing my day job. I don't particularly like it or feel an emotional investment in it (which is good, as I've had jobs like that before and it creates an even bigger challenge of energy depletion). I just want to have some of those hours for my creative work. My dream is to eventual not have to do a day job and to be able to use my writing and creative work, plus speaking engagements and workshops as income generators.
Need:
-TIME
-Belief that what I am creating has value and has an audience out in the world

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time, more solitude, visibility, more playfulness, eventually more ways to make a life out of this that can generate at least some income (I don't want to do my day job forever)

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time: I took some time off work and haven't told my family!
More solitude: When I take the time off, I am going to work in my office rather than down in the kitchen where I am easily accessible to remote learning children at all hours of the day
More playfulness: I want to prioritize fun, curiosity, trying new things - I don't want this to be drudgery. It's okay if there are no specific outcomes to the novel
Visibility: I want to put my comics up on a platform (maybe Instagram) but I am feeling nervous about sharing them because they are deeply dark and personal (plus amateur-ish)
Ways forward to make this a life: Talk to xxx

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I want some time to play and replenish and reflect and rest

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have five new comics made, and five flash stories written. I would like to continue to infuse a sense of play, plus have begun to share my new work as a practice in releasing perfectionism. I would like to feel a sense of replenishment and reinvigoration (less drudgery!). Maybe I'll learn some new ways of seeing or working.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I claim 11/20, 11/23, 11/24 as my own restorative, playful, creative mini-residency that is working in collaboration with domesticity and motherhood. I have removed the time barrier of day job in order to focus on my creative work, which will be informed by and shaped by the rhythms of my pandemic-time household with three children remote-learning and a spouse remote-working. I won't be oppositional and overly-protective of my time/space. I will instead be curious. As xxxx once told us in a workshop: "Write what's in front of you." The more I step into who I am, and what's in front/around me, the more authentic my work becomes, and the more it will resonate with any audience. I am committed to surrendering to this time away from my day job to enrich my creative practice, make forward momentum in my projects, get curious, rest, and not struggle against interruptions or the borders where my creative practice edges up against my parental role. Instead, I will view this as a fertile area and become curious about it. In addition, I will be off from work 11/25-29. In total, there are ten days off from my day job, but 4 of those days are weekends and 3 of those days my kids are off, so I won't count those officially.

7. Secure the resources you need: For this mini-residency, I am privileged to have the resources that I need. This is in large part due to pandemic where I won't need to pay for childcare because my kids are all remote-learning at home. I am able to take paid time off from work. I have a studio space.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: 11/20, 11/23, 11/24 Schedule:
6:30-7:30 AM Morning work in dining room (1 hr)
7:30-9:00 AM Domestic/parenting work
9:00-11:30 AM Work/play/rest in Studio (2.5 hrs)
11:30-12:30 Domestic/parenting work
12:30-5:00 PM Work/play/rest in Studio (4.5 hrs)
Total = 8 hrs/day for 3 days = 24 hours

11/25, 11/26, 11/27 Schedule:
7:00-9:30 AM Morning Work in Dining Room (2.5 hrs)
Total = 2.5 hrs/day for 3 days = 7.5 hours

Weekend Schedule (11/21-22, 28-29)
1 hour per day whenever you can
Total = 1 hr/day for 4 days = 4 hours

Grand total = 35.5 hours

Start: 11/20/2020

End: 11/29/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 35

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will make a Google Sheet Time In/Time Out Card. I will share it with writing partner xxx.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Novel work will be shared with xxx on Dec 31.
Comics and other new work will be shared on Instagram using #artistresidencyinmotherhood

11. Community & Peers: This mini-residency will be alone, but I envision either more mini-residencies (as that is what often works most in tandem with the life of a parent) or a longer one. Future residencies I envision to be more in community.

12. How might you begin?: All I need to do is show up on 11/20 at 6:30 AM and begin my schedule. I have already cleared the time/space in my life.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am trying to come back to making art for myself and not for my kids. I want to establish my art practice. I spend half an hour to an hour every day but I have lost direction. Earlier in my parenting days I managed to participate in group shows and made art easily but eventually the motherhood project became larger than everything else in my life.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I have the tools but my brain is foggy. Making art makes me anxious and restless. I need direction. I need to clear my noisy head. I have three kids and no studio space. But I think the biggest hurdle is my mind.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Inspiration. Direction. Clarity of vision. Goal setting. Mentor to help me along the way. Accountability.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Inspiration: Role model.
Direction: Finding my reason, my "why", my voice
Clarity of Vision: Why do I want to make art? what kind of art I want to make, what do I want to say? where do I see myself as an artist?
Goal Setting: Identify the steps I need to take one by one
Mentor: Seek help from someone to guide me through the process
Accountability: Be accountable to myself and set deadlines and action plans

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Document my thought, process, and end results
Start and finish mini projects
Connect with other artists
Be mindful and present
Conscious creativity
Document everything

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I want to have a cohesive digital and physical portfolio of work. A website. I would love to find direction and purpose.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : My residency project is titled "xxx" My children often refers to me as "artist" and bring me things to make art with or photograph things on my phone for future references saying "you use it in your art mama". But I feel I have lost myself along the way. So I am going to find myself so I can see myself the way they see me "artist". I am going through a huge archives of digitals photos on my phone/laptop and look for clues when artist me was present and mama me took a back seat. I am going to collect myself bit by bit and put it all together. I don't need to be divided and miserable. I can be one, be myself.

7. Secure the resources you need: sell prints
teach drawing

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I could ask xxx to be my mentor

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my garage from 6am-10am

Start: 3/22/2020

End: 12/31/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 20

9. Create accountability for yourself: public Instagram account

10. Will you share the work you make?: yes on my Instagram account

12. How might you begin?: By writing down a project synopsis and outline

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I have a studio in my home that I set up when Covid began last year in March. Although it was set up to paint larger canvases, I now work small due to shorter working windows. I try to make one piece a day, and am able to dedicate anywhere between 2-4 hours depending on the ever-changing circumstances and needs. Becoming a mother radically shifted not just my work and what inspired be, but also changed how I view the fine art world.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Motherhood unleashed the greatest source of inspiration and creativity than I have every experienced before. Prior to becoming a mother, I made work based on projects and school deadlines. But now I make work independent of any of that. What causes difficulty is the lack of opportunity for women like me, because the art world is suddenly closed off and out of reach.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : More time would definitely be great. More uninterrupted time. Since my baby is still quite small (5 months), I have to tend to her often. A mentor would be incredibly helpful too, and would also provide accountability.
1. Uninterrupted time
2. Mentor and Accountability

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. Hopefully travel back home to my parents in India, when restrictions ease, so I have all the help when it comes to baby and food. Once I am free of all the chores, and I know my baby is well taken care of, I can invest more hours in a day to my work.
2. I have signed up for a mentorship program with Lenka, and waiting to hear back.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: This is my first residency. I would like to set up a schedule for the next 6 months, with viable goals and outcome, that I follow through with.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I am hoping to make 1440 art works. By the end of this residency, I want to have at least half of that which is 720.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I refuse to believe that the only way to be a true Artist is by sacrificing all else in ones life to dedicate 14 hours a day to paint canvases larger than oneself. This idea of success is antiquated, and part of a deep rooted patriarchal system, that only afforded men the luxury to work in this manner. As a woman, and now as a mother, I will not be held hostage by such unrealistic notions. I know now that success can mean and look very different to everybody. My own definition of success is a lot simpler now. I hope to make the work I want to make, that will sustain me creatively, intellectually, and financially. I hope to share this work with people who identify and resonate with my experiences and for it to be in their homes, not trading hands between art dealers and collectors who do it for every other reason but that.

7. Secure the resources you need: I have most of the resources I need. Instead I hope to avoid accumulating more, and will instead invest in artist books and monographs. I am always linked to and in conversation with all those who came before me.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Connect with other artist friends to do critiques and go look at more art in person with baby.
Make the most of mornings when xxx is looking after baby + through her first nap of the day.
Waking up around 7:30 right now, but keep trying to make it slightly earlier each wake, so ultimately you can wake up at 6am with baby, and be ready to start working by 7am, instead of the usual 8:30/9 am.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I have a bedroom set up as a home studio. I work with minimal materials.

Start: 5/30/2021

End: 12/29/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 28

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will dedicate 6 days a week to art making, broken down into two days for free motion embroidery, two days to paint and two days for mono prints. On Sundays I will spend time on my website. I will keep track of this through a desk planner. I will plan each week on Sunday evenings. On Sundays I will document all my work to keep track of it digitally. Once I have my website up in a months time (by the end of June 2021) I will begin posting an update on it every week. I also hope you write one blog piece a week, in order to avoid temptation for long captions on Instagram that really eat away at my time, and don't do much. A blog will be a lot more structured, easy to revisit, and less intimidating to write.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes. On Sundays, I will plan Instagram posts for the week. I will post on Instagram 3 times a week- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This will help limit the time I spend on there, and make it more constructive when I do. Once my website is done I will upload my work there too.

11. Community & Peers: I will do the residency alone. I am a part of the artist/mother podcast community and try to engage with others whenever possible.

12. How might you begin?: I already started last week and had a great first week. On one or two days where I felt a little tired and unwilling to come work when baby was napping, remembering that I committed to this helped me out of the lethargy and come work instead after which I felt amazing.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I can work solidly for around 4/5 hours a week on my ARIM
I want it to be a culmination of 16 + plus years of being a parent, also an unpaid carer and my own divergent interests in birth, the land and ritual

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Sometimes time, focus and money.

Other commitments

A clear feeling about purpose.

Feeling unsure about

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Deadlines, clear outline, accountability, limitations/direction, visibility .

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Make deadlines and a plan.

Make an outline

Get Accountability.

Design a direction

Publish my journey

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Do something bold.

Collaborate with the earth.

Listen.

Speak my needs and heal them.

Revere the past and future.

Tend the present.

Pray

Celebrate.

All of this to be documented in film, voice recordings, poem, prose, letters, gardens and paintings.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: Having a real sense of integration and confidence in my vision as an artist. Having a deeper understanding of my work in the natural living world. Healing my disconnection with my own mothering journey. I want to have published posts and a body of work that can be made into something as well as inform workshops.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I need time. I need a sit spot next to the ocean so that I have the world as kin.
I need a garden and seeds. I will hear my voice alongside the voices of the voices of the world

7. Secure the resources you need: I will do everything on a shoestring to gain momentum and then I can look at fundraising to publish.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I will make a residency out of motherhood both past and present and also my allotment. I work in my home but also outside as much as possible. I have a website which will serve as a portal.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work at home and at the allotment. I will also work at the sea

Start: 3/28/2021

End: 10/28/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 6

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will publish one post minimum a week.

I will get a mentor

I will keep a document.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will write blog posts, I will make artist books and gardens.

11. Community & Peers: I hope to gather my community from an online one I already have though the majority of work will be mine.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin by outlining my work and designing it. I will then commit and begin.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I have 3 hours on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I work from my studio in my home, which is in a very rural part of Ireland. The the hours I have to myself need to be divided between my work as a theatre-maker and voice-over artist, and my work as an artist. I also sometimes need to take some time to simply be by myself, usually in a cafe where I can drink tea and read a favourite book or write.

During the summer I was taking a lot of time to work in the garden. I'm an avid gardener and I love to be outside. now that the season has changed and the days are growing shorter, I feel the urge to return to art projects that have lain untouched for a long time! I love working with mono-print and collage, and allowing myself to explore mixed media whenever the inspiration calls for it. I am fascinated by the art of children's picture books. I have made one picture book and have one sitting unfinished, which I would love to return to at some stage.

The project that's occupying my imagination-space at the moment, though, is a project I started about 10 years ago and left aside when my theatre work became all-consuming. It draws inspiration from a vision I have of a silent, abandoned city - dreamlike, half-seen, full of untold stories. I'm excited to return to the project, with the aim of creating a body of work that can be exhibited as an immersive gallery experience.

My son is 2 years old. Until I found ARiM I had the unconscious idea that creating art would have to happen away from him, in my studio. But I hated leaving him if he wanted me to stay with him. He's very happy to amuse himself with his many toy cars, trucks etc., but often he likes me to be with him in the room. Now if he wants me to stay I bring my work to the kitchen table and I find that I like having the company too! Not only that, but he is interested in what I'm doing and sometimes asks me to draw things for him, or asks to be allowed to cut out shapes. This integration of my work as an artist into my work as a mother feels so right! I also find that I get so much inspiration from how he looks at the world and how much I'm constantly learning from him.

My theatre work has to happen away from my son at the moment, in a rehearsal room. I run my own company and we are very open to ensemble members bringing their children with them to rehearsals, but I've found that at the age he is now, my son needs more attention than I can give him in that situation. Hopefully in the future I'll be able to bring him with my to my theatre-work too.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I am not good at prioritising my own needs or desires at the best of times, and since having my son, I find it even harder to prioritise myself.

My son has stopped taking naps, so that period of time to myself is no longer easily available.

My theatre work generates income, whereas my art has yet to generate any income. This makes me more likely to prioritise my theatre work during my three hours a day of work.

I have no formal training as an artist. This leads to me doubting whether creating art is a viable use of my time.

Sometimes it feels easier to clean the kitchen than to take the plunge into creativity. Don't ask me why.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : I need a community around me of other mothers who are artists. Right now that would probably mean an online community, since I live so rurally. But I'm not on Facebook and don't want to join Facebook. This means that many communities, such as ARiM, are not available to me. So I need to find another source of community.

I need a mentor who could guide me through the creation of a body of work that is suitable for exhibiting, and through the process of organising an exhibition.

I need accountability that doesn't feel like authority.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: An alternative to Facebook, or a meeting with a group of artists from my area who are also mothers.

I would need to ask a friend to mentor me, or to recommend someone to mentor me.

Someone else who is is an artist and a mother, who cares about me enough to put time aside to look at my work/ read emails/ meet me in order to keep me focused. Maybe the same person as the mentor? Or someone from the community I hope to find?

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to give myself permission to create.
I would like to allow myself time away from my son to create, without feeling guilty.
I would like to create with my son.
I would like to think of myself as a professional artist, and approach my own art with the same focus and respect I give my theatre work.
I would like to be in communication with other artist mothers.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have created a body of work that I am happy to exhibit, and an audio-sensory exhibition experience to go with it. I would like to have found a place to exhibit, and organised for the exhibition to take place. I would like to be happy with whatever I have created, and the process I have gone through, whatever the outcome.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : During this residency I will think of myself as a professional artist.
I will afford my work as an artist all the focus and respect I give to my work as a theatre-maker.
I will allow myself to embody the role of mother/artist fully, knowing them both to be facets of myself and inseparable.
I will really listen to my inspiration, where ever and whenever it comes.
I will allow myself time to myself, free from guilt.
I will grasp the opportunities to create with my son.
I will actively pursue the things that will make this residency viable: a community, a mentor, an income source.
I will keep my heart open to my vision while being open to the course of my residency changing.
I will create my art where ever it needs to be created, and not let what appears to be a block stop me.
I will enjoy the process, the journey, the nourishing of my inner artist, knowing that it will also nourish me as a mother, wife, sibling, daughter and friend.

7. Secure the resources you need: Sell prints on Etsy
See if there's a fund I could apply to (ask xxx?)
Use my savings
Put on a mini-exhibition, specially to fund my residency
Bring my picture book to xxx

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Talk to xxx about meeting up and doing materials exchange or working together
Talk to xxx about being an accountability tracker.
Talk to xxx about mentorship.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my studio, in the kitchen or out and about.
I will work in my studio during my three hours without my son. When in the studio I will divide my time equally between my theatre work, my admin work and my art.
I will also use my three hours without my son to go on Artist Dates whenever I feel the need.
When working in the kitchen I will be open to my son's needs and wants and allow them to inform and inspire my work rather than hinder it.
While out and about I will allow myself to be open to inspiration and opportunities.

Start: 9/17/2018

End: 9/17/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 3

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will take note on a Sunday of how many hours I worked that week. I will email an accountability tracker with this information and details of what I worked on, once a week. I will contact my mentor when questions arise or when I feel I need help. Eventually, I will create a website to track my work.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will share my work with my accountability tracker and mentor if I feel the urge. When I feel ready, I will create a website to share the journey of my residency. When I feel ready, I will exhibit my work.

11. Community & Peers: I would like to undertake this residency with the support of a community. I will see if I can create a small community in my area, of mother/artists I know. I will organise a meet-up to see if meet-ups are viable. I will see if I can set up a Whatsapp group to communicate with the group.

12. How might you begin?: I'll begin by gathering all my inspiration around my project together and arranging it in my studio so that I can access it easily. I'll also put together a studio-on-the-go to keep in the kitchen so that I'm ready to answer to the call of inspiration! I'll contact my friend who I hope will agree to be my accountability tracker. I'll contact other friends who might like to be in my artist/mother community. I'll talk to two artist friends about their process and their experience of creating work for exhibition.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am currently completing a BA (Hons) Degree in Fine Art/Ceramics. While this requires a long daily commute and an intense workload, I have the privilege of a dedicated workspace and use of equipment otherwise unavailable to me.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: A long daily commute and an intense workload means very little quality time in the home but I have the privilege of a dedicated workspace and use of equipment otherwise unavailable to me.
I feel compromised regarding time spent with my children or being there for them.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Again time is scarce at the moment but hopefully this will improve on completion of my degree.
Sleep is an issue as I often dwell on what lies in store during the night!
Equipment and materials.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Improved time management
Funding

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Take time to explore multiple ideas without the constraints of deadlines.
More drawing and painting.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to prepare and research, as thoroughly as possible, my best work in a thesis and final project, culminating in my degree show of June next year. I hope to achieve a positive and confident approach which will equip me to undertake an independent, full time artistic practice on qualifying, and I look forward to being in the position to steer my own ideas to develop a body of work of which I can be proud. I feel that connecting with other artists will strengthen my resolve that continuing to make work can be a source of fulfillment for me and my children.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Using the time during the summer to prepare material for the coming semester, I plan to develop further a recent project, with a view to its subject matter becoming a point of focus for my final year; the figure of the mother in the domestic environment and some of the emotions which arise from this. To date, the five weeks allocated to this has meant confining my work within certain limitations, but there is potential to pursue this topic at length. Deadlines can be frustrating as there is less time to devote to leisurely and exploratory drawing, for instance, but it is my hope that by directing my practice through this residency, I might create a positive experience out of the daunting schedule that lies ahead in the coming academic year. Many years as a full time mother before returning to art is my starting point. Still raising children while returning to full time education has produced the inevitable challenges but also some surprisingly positive outcomes. While drawing on my own experience I hope to produce work that reflects that of many more mothers...those I have never met nor will ever meet...but who will recognise some part of themselves in my work.

7. Secure the resources you need: I have secured a very modest grant from the local Arts Council and plan to look further into similar opportunities.
Facilitating some childrens' art workshops during the summer for which I will be paid.
Recently secured a painting commission!
At the request of the local Arts Officer, I have been facilitating monthly artists' gatherings at a local gallery, for which there is potential to exhibit and sell work.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: All of the above! Recently had some modest construction work done on family living space so in the long term can develop childrens' music practice area into a studio/storage space.
Would require improved lighting, but in the immediate future I can at least be sure of my own dedicated desk and wall space in college ceramics studio, in addition to use of a variety of facilities and equipment.
Have built a strong relationship with the local Arts Office and therefore potential access to kiln and studio space, where I was previously awarded a month long residency.

8. Create a structure for your residency: In college, as outlined above, for the majority of my time. I hope to resolve my issues with time management using discipline of this residency.

Start: 7/1/2019

End: 7/3/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 35

9. Create accountability for yourself: Personal journal, which I intend to incorporate into the Professional Practice Module of my course but also potentially my thesis.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes, initially documenting in my coursework/thesis/lookbook, with potential to create a blog but also social media and local artists collective meetings.
Also possible local exhibitions.

11. Community & Peers: Presently I plan to undertake this residency alone but am happy to share my experiences with tutors and peers.

12. How might you begin?: My intention is, at the end of this academic year, to start a new sketchbook on a family holiday!
I am also working on a series of press moulded pieces which I hope to produce in multiples in order to improve and develop my technique.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: With my work, I am currently struggling most with time. Currently, I work a full-time job as well as being a single mother and attending grad school. I think I have been able to manage well and have a wonderful support system around me. However, I do not spend as much time in the studio as I would like and I do not focus on my creative practice enough. I feel like I have ideas that I want to explore but become overwhelmed with trying to figure out when and where I will explore these ideas as well as how to materialize what I am interested in. I do work a lot with digital, so I am able to do what I need wherever I need to as long as the work consists of illustrations or digital work. I do, however, find it most beneficial to work in my studio on campus as it already puts me in that creative space and is not overwhelmed with other things I must concern myself with such as work or family. I would say I only spend about 1 day in the studio per week currently and struggle to figure out how I would spend any more time there considering needing to keep my kids on regular bedtime as well as work my own job and volunteer where I volunteer.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 1. Time - I am deeply struggling with time issues right now.
2. Finances - I am a single mother making less than $30,000 a year and I struggle with buying daily items let alone having to then purchase supplies.
3. Materials - There are a lot of larger items I would like to explore and use in practice, but again, goes back to the financial issue.
4. Mentorship - I struggle with mentorship, I am searching for a strong sounding board with rigidity and investment.
5. Stress - My life becomes extremely stressful when school starts for myself and my kids. I try to stay sane for their sake, but it gets overwhelming at times to keep up with it all.
6. Mental exhaustion - By the time I have the kids in bed and have spent the day at work or school I feel too tired to do anything else and generally end up falling asleep on top of my covers.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : I feel like a lot of the things I feel that I NEED are really wants. I know that if I pushed I could get somewhere great and I believe time, a mentor, training, equipment, accountability, direction, and a solid community would really help me to do that.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: I honestly don't know how to get more time right now. Time is what it is. I think I may have to wake up at 4:30 am and go to bed at 12 pm, but that just isn't healthy and I don't believe I would be getting anything very worthwhile out of it. I believe finding a mentor is doable, maybe I need to be more vocal in expressing my desires from a mentor and about what I need. Training, I do watch a lot of Skillshare and YouTube but having the equipment available would also be fantastic. I am currently studying how a Risograph works, but without the actual Risograph, it is complicated. Which brings me to equipment, I do have the computers and programs I need, however, I know there are so many more ways to produce the work that I am thinking of making and I want to explore those options. I imagine a good way to go about this is to acquire a grand and begin to research equipment as best I can. I really believe that beginning this residency is a good start in regards to accountability as we are not becoming a little group of people who seem to genuinely care and want to see myself and the other artist succeed. I think that ties in with the community a little bit. I have a sound community of artists around me, and a few amazing graphic designers as well, but I do lament a bit the days in undergrad when I had a group of three and we stuck together and truly developed a close relationship and helped each other to look at our own work in new ways and just be better. Lastly, I know I am always looking for direction. It is easy to feel lost or insecure and I sometimes doubt where my ideas are coming from. I want to trust myself more and I think I see that as relating to having direction. I believe I can get that from having some new experiences, I do the same things all the time because it is what my life is right now. I know experiences are good and open you up to seeing things in a different way and understanding things and people. I am not sure how to achieve that.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: During my residency, I would like to include my children more into my practice. By that, I mean allowing them to explore with art and integrating it with mine as well as having them in the studio more often and spending more time there.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: With my work, I would like to be more confident in the direction I am going. I currently feel as though I don't know exactly what I am trying to say or do, but I do feel like I am finding my groove. I would like to be confident in my style and have the courage to take the style and explore many different aspects. Literally, I would like to have 3-4 complete pieces with sound context and design and be able to showcase those pieces. By the end of this, I would love to see my kids have a new appreciation for art and for what I do. I would like them to understand what it means to be an artist and graphic designer. Most importantly to me, I want to feel like this time was used well and really impacted my work, my self-esteem, and brought me and my kids closer together.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Motherhood has completely changed the way I see life and the way I view myself. It has made me more ferocious in some aspects and timid in others. When I work I imagine that one day my children will see what I am doing and have an understanding of it in some way and I create so that they may know who I am as well as how dearly I care for them. With all of this in mind, I intend on approaching my residency with my focus on bringing to light the wonder of children as well as the dark humor and sadness that accompanies single-motherhood and life in general. When working, I like to sketch and draw and think a lot until I find a thread of something I can continue to tug on and produce into work that expresses my emotions in a hope that someone will relate to that aspect and in turn share that emotion.

I need to be more free in the sense of exploration. Fear drives me to only imagine in my mind what could be and how it could fail without ever putting my hands into it. I desire deeply to remove those mental barriers and learn how to express myself through my heart more emphatically and through many more processes.

I look forward to setting myself up for further exploration and imagination. I look forward to sharing this journey with my fellow resident and mentor. I look forward to progressing in my work and discovering more of what I am about and what my art has to tell.

7. Secure the resources you need: For resources, I believe I will be applying for a grant alongside another artist who is enrolling in the residency. I have also considered doing a Kickstarter campaign and sending all donors an enamel pin and sticker for their contribution.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I have been considering bringing my children to my studio on campus more often and looking at the possibility of setting up space for them to create art themselves. Because a lot of work I do is done digitally, I have considered bringing my computer or tablet with me whenever I take my children to their events in order to be creating more often and using the time I have.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I plan to work mainly from my studio on campus. Alternately, I will be working from wherever I can and whenever I can. I am fortunate enough to have space at my home that is conducive to drawing and illustrating so I can work from there when not doing homework. I intend to work from my studio after work with my children and Thursdays and Fridays as well as possibly coming in after putting them to bed. I am leaving Saturday evenings free as well in order to bring my children into my studio space while I work.

Start: 8/21/2019

End: 2/29/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 11

9. Create accountability for yourself: I plan on using a personal journal to document my experience as well as holding myself accountable. I intend to also write and create one thing daily, no matter what that thing is. I will also be meeting weekly with another artist and instructor in order to maintain structure and progress.

10. Will you share the work you make?: The work I create will be posted online for the daily aspect and at the end of the residency, I will share my final works in a show at the xxx University Art Museum on 28 February 2020.

11. Community & Peers: I will undertake this residency with a peer who also attends xxx. We will be meeting weekly as well as possibly setting up times to have studio time together so our children can interact.

12. How might you begin?: I think I will begin by creating a list of what I want to accomplish through this residency and what I would like it to look like at the end in regards to what finished pieces I would like to have, always up for revision. I will also begin by journaling my first day and doing one illustration to completion. I would like to make a list of all the aspects I want to consider and then begin to research those ideas or try them out physically. I believe my issue in the past has been having a thought or idea on a type of execution but then being afraid to act on it. I want to eliminate that fear and begin to explore a lot more.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I work when I can eek it out here and there, or when my kids are on video games. I feel hungry about it, like I want it whenever I can get it. I’m about a third through an album, working on music. I’m excited about it because I haven’t worked on music in years, yet my set up is very basic — just my laptop and garage band. So I also feel a little scrappy, which is fine.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Little time
A lot of noise
Many demands from cats and kids
I’m not a recording engineer
Small feedback audience (my kids and a couple friends)
Exhaustion from single parenting requirements

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Most things mentioned above.
Time
Space
Community
Mentor
Recording equipment
Childcare
Visibility
Assistance
Direction

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time to myself
Space without children
Other artists/musicians
Recording studio and sound engineer

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Schedule time to work on my music

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have completed my album

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will do my best to carve out creative time when I can, and let go when I can’t. I will allow what my children are doing to inspire me and my flow. We will continue to create our songs together, and eventually record those too. I will be kind to myself when I cannot be present with my music. I will honor the sense of incompleteness as it arises.

7. Secure the resources you need: Once I have my songs finished, I will hold an online fundraising campaign, and throw a party, to get funds for a recording session and sound engineer.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Once I have completed my tracks, I could reach out to friends about recording studios and sound engineers. I could continue to reach out to friends about feedback.

8. Create a structure for your residency: In my bedroom when my kids are playing video games.

Start: 5/27/2021

End: 5/27/2022

How many hours a week will you work?: 2

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will track my time in my journal

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes. After I finish songs I will send them to friends and family for feedback.

11. Community & Peers: I will reach out to xxx and xxx about this

12. How might you begin?: I’ve already begun the work, but will start tracking my time today.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Currently I work in fits and spurts, while managing distance school for my 3 children. I have a studio/office that has become the site of my 10 year old home classroom. I feel crowded and resigned to this reality. I closed my small business due to covid forcing me into SAHM-hood. The small business was meant to be my income so that I could support my family and my writing and art. All of that has been turned on it's head. I have spent the better part of 2020 feeling pretty terrible and frustrated and rearranged.

I am the starting line with a new project that asks "Can motherhood be a spirituality? What does it mean if yes? If no, why not?" This is what I intend to focus on during my ARIM.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Perpetual servitude
Lack of ability to do a hard reset in my home life
Feeling defeated
Being outnumbered
Bickering feral boys
Lack of confidence
Scatteredness
No idea when things will shift and school will exist outside of my home

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : I need alone time.
I need support for the kids.
I need focus.
I need income.
I need to feel like my work matters more than the dishes or the food or the refereeing I am on call to do always.
I need to feel brave enough to take this on even though I have never fully committed myself to art.
I need a shift in thinking. To see what I have rather than what I lack. Even though things are not ideal, I feel like I could do more with what I have than I currently do.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Patience will perhaps open up things and the kids will go out of the house to school
To have focus I need to take the opportunities as they come to get into the studio
This I am exploring now
Again, I need to take the opportunities as they come.
Being brave means just moving forward when we are scared right? I guess that's where I am at now.
Again, take the opportunities as they come.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: During my residency I would like to accumulate about 3 hours a day in the studio. This would mean that in the course of one day I am putting in the time that I can and that at the end of a day I would have clocked 3 hours. I believe that this is possible but given the current state of my home life it will need to be done a bit on the fly. With the 3 boys home and my attending to their school needs it's hard for me to know when exactly those hours will happen. At current I am able to clock about an hour before they wake up. But the other two hours a day will need to be seized as they are available. This is a goal I will set for myself 5 days a week. Monday through friday generally.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like my residency to culminate in a reading or a show over mother's day weekend 2022. At the end of this residency I would like to know myself more fully as an artist. That this becomes what I do as a career, in addition to raising my children and nurturing my home, I am an artist. At the end of my residency I would like to know artist/creator as central to who I am, rather than a thing on the side that maybe I get to sometimes but not really because someone always needs me.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : As the mother of 3 children who has worked hard to nurture a home and life my family, I have denied acknowledging myself as an artist for far too long. I have promised myself that someday I would be an artist, that someday I would focus on my art and my craft, that someday when my home is “handled” I will step into my role as artist for reals.
Someday starts today. As of today I believe I am the artist I have always known I would become. Today I begin to use motherhood as the foundation upon which I build my artist's life, in much the same way I nurture the artists in my children, I nurture the artist in me. No longer as a thing peripheral to motherhood, but as a truth woven directly into it.
I believe and perpetrate the belief that one can be an engaged mother and a serious artist at the same time. I imagine for myself that these two roles are not competing directions but rather that they can and do inform one another.
I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore my fragmented focus, piecemeal studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood has gifted me and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: I am exploring this now. The resource I need to summon first is my own belief and using the time that IS available to me, rather than thinking there will be some day when everything is lined up.
In terms of income, I am choosing to believe that this will become clear as I stay connected to the calling I hear right now. Some things are percolating and I am choosing to trust those.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I will find pockets of 15 minutes here and there a day to get to my 3 hours. I will focus on keeping my space tidy so that popping in and out to work things forward is easy. I will avoid creating a space that needs to be de cluttered before I can get any real work done. I will use the studio/office I already have but I will use it more focusedly. I believe that once I create a rhythm for my work inside the restrictions of a covid reality, then once the kids go back to school, it will be easy to soar.

8. Create a structure for your residency: In my studio/office. And other places as needed. But mostly in my studio/office

Start: 12/1/2020

End: 5/1/2022

How many hours a week will you work?: 15

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will create a time tracker to see that I am clocking the time. I will be setting up a public blog. I have an accountability partnership already set up, we meet on sunday mornings.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Through a public blog. And a show over mothers day weekend 2022.

11. Community & Peers: I would like to involve other mothers in conversation as part of the work I am doing but I am unclear how that will occur just yet.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin by submitting this document and writing. I will write down all of my ideas in one notebook.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I work in my home; every room is utilized at some point. Depending on the quantity of projects and due dates, I work on my art anywhere between 2-20 hours a week; but I am creating *something* daily. I am currently working on broadening my reach by submitting to shows and art calls within my state. Parenthood has afforded me more structured time to create, and people to teach.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Less space due to wandering/destructive hands. Less time in a chunk to get in the mental space to create. Less money to buy supplies.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Childcare/ time to work
Community
A gallery or maker space that welcomes children

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Childcare and time to work - I would need money to pay a sitter/ other moms to trade childcare with/
Community - no judgement people to share ideas with who are in the same parenting boat as myself.
Gallery or maker space that is family friendly - find one or make one in my community.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Network and make connections with maker parents. Inspire other maker parents and children alike.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have an updated website, with a more cohesive body of work which conveys my current style and ideas. I would like to have an extensive list of ideas and projects from which to pull from in the future, when I have more time/money/space to work on my art. I would also like to have created a network of fellow maker parents with which to build a community with.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in December 2013 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as an artist. I find now that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Batch meals to cut down on cooking/cleaning 3x daily.
Trade childcare or work in tandem while kids play together.
Collab with other parents or children.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my home; surrounded by my safe place, children, inspirations.

Start: 5/22/2018

End: 4/11/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: Index card rubric system. Big ideas on index cards that move from planning to execution to complete - with smaller index cards within each big idea that list specific small goals to reach big goal.

10. Will you share the work you make?: On my website, instagram, possibly in a group show featuring maker parents.

11. Community & Peers: Creating this community is one of my big goals. Maker parents in my area. Connect through email or Facebook.

12. How might you begin?: Planning and formulating specific goals.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I can work solidly for around 4/5 hours a week on my ARIM
I want it to be a culmination of 16 + plus years of being a parent, also an unpaid carer and my own divergent interests in birth, the land and ritual

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Sometimes time, focus and money.

Other commitments

A clear feeling about purpose.

Feeling unsure about

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Deadlines, clear outline, accountability, limitations/direction, visibility .

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Make deadlines and a plan.

Make an outline

Get Accountability.

Design a direction

Publish my journey

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Do something bold.

Collaborate with the earth.

Listen.

Speak my needs and heal them.

Revere the past and future.

Tend the present.

Pray

Celebrate.

All of this to be documented in film, voice recordings, poem, prose, letters, gardens and paintings.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: Having a real sense of integration and confidence in my vision as an artist. Having a deeper understanding of my work in the natural living world. Healing my disconnection with my own mothering journey. I want to have published posts and a body of work that can be made into something as well as inform workshops.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I need time. I need a sit spot next to the ocean so that I have the world as kin.
I need a garden and seeds. I will hear my voice alongside the voices of the voices of the world

7. Secure the resources you need: I will do everything on a shoestring to gain momentum and then I can look at fundraising to publish.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I will make a residency out of motherhood both past and present and also my allotment. I work in my home but also outside as much as possible. I have a website which will serve as a portal.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work at home and at the allotment. I will also work at the sea

Start: 3/28/2021

End: 10/28/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 6

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will publish one post minimum a week.

I will get a mentor

I will keep a document.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will write blog posts, I will make artist books and gardens.

11. Community & Peers: I hope to gather my community from an online one I already have though the majority of work will be mine.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin by outlining my work and designing it. I will then commit and begin.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am able to work about 6 hours a week. I typically work in a writing studio outside of my house, an old garage that was converted to office space, on our property but far enough away to feel like I'm not home. Having a separate space has been enormously beneficial to me. Being away from the noise of the kids, the distraction of chores, and the pull of domestic annoyances has allowed me to fully engage in my process. I'm currently working on a project combining photographs of my body with vignettes. It started with a conversation in my Writing Mother's Group, which I hold in my studio every other Saturday at 7 a.m. I've had a traumatic four years and am trying to find healing within myself, in my own skin both figuratively and literally. Parenthood has been a paradox. While it minimizes time to create, it also maximizes the inspiration I feel on a daily basis. I have older children: 13, 11, and 7. Something I was not prepared for was reconnecting and developing a relationship with myself, as they became more independent. I am a completely different person now then I was when I first became a parent.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Time: I work and manage three kids. My partner travels a lot. Much of the day to day falls on me.
Distraction: Working on this one. I get sucked into things, like articles and photographs on my phone. I've started allotting myself 15 minutes in the morning, 30 mins at night.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time Clarity

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time: I need to designate time to get to the studio Clarity: I need to let go of the crap holding me back, or better yet, write through it

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Truly focus on the task at hand, get lost in the work, revel in the silence of creating in my studio

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have at least 20 photographs with accompanied vignettes.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will schedule time weekly to go to my studio, a minimum of five hours.
I will not let myself get distracted by laundry, dishes, dust bunnies, or any other domestic annoyance.

My work is vital to my whole health.

7. Secure the resources you need: I am chairing a gallery show based on this idea, showing 12 different submissions of body parts and written work beside them. My goal is to continue this project and put together a journal, chapbook, something along those lines.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: My partner is 100% supportive of this and will be the one to hold me accountable.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my studio, one early morning a week, one evening, and Saturday mornings 6:30-8:30. My only company will be my coffee, camera, and computer.

Start: 1/1/2018

End: 1/1/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 5

9. Create accountability for yourself: A journal and a calendar

10. Will you share the work you make?: Open Mics, reading events, blog, writing group, possible submissions to different journals and/or websites

11. Community & Peers: If I want a community, I will turn to my Writing Mother's Group

12. How might you begin?: First, I will take the time I have off of work this next week and clean out my studio. I will clear the clutter. It tends to clutter not only my mind but my head as well. Then, I will schedule my time in the studio.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am working from home having made a studio space in my garage which i'm very excited about. I'm finding it very difficult to actually get in there. My daughter is 1 year old and I haven't done anything much in the last year and a half. Parenthood is such a fulfilled dream for me that I have no problem with how it affects my time but that said, I'd like to use this residency to re-set my views on time and how I use the new inputs that i get through this amazing experience.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Lack of time to get in the studio
Difficulty in ordering thoughts (so many things to consider now and my brain sometimes struggles)
Financial pressure to go out and earn/come up with a money making venture from home
The garage is too hot in this heatwave and has no electrics for work at nighttime
Not the ideal space to leave artwork - needs more investment in the space
Feeling reliant on my partner for money and it putting a strain on our relationship with my prioritising of my daughter
Feeling undervalued as main caregiver for my daughter/confused about cultural views on motherhood versus career

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time, generally
Ability to order thoughts more
A block of time in order to make it worth starting a piece of work (i.e. getting plaster out, getting messy etc)
A dog walker so the dogs aren't always on my conscience when I want to make work!
Solitude to ponder in a relaxed way
A mentor to help get me started and review me quarterly
A way to distract xxx so she can be here whilst I work. I don't really want her to go off too much yet and can't afford nursery at the moment
A better studio set up
Direction / a way to get started

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: A day per week at Nursery for Sophie
A dog walker from time to time
Income to pay for the above
Visit from a Mentor
Clear the garage/studio and reorganise - help from xxx

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Create some tangible outcomes
Make some progress with paint
Take my practice forward a major step closer to being able to exhibit
Have a documentation of the year that others can see/as a record (website, sketch books, insta)

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: At the end of the residency I'd like to have created a body of work that stands up to scrutiny and moves me forward in my practice bringing me nearer to being a regularly exhibiting artist. Id like to have fulfilled my need to create both physical pieces and also to have pinned down and documented some of my conceptual ideas.

In the long term, to develop my work further via an MA or residency or other recognized format and to be able to dedicate more than half the week to my art. Id' like to have more clarity on what I’m making and why, such that I can easily show work in galleries and am recognized as delivering an alternative and interesting view.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Since my daughter arrived on midsummer’s day, 21st June 2018, time has taken on a whole new worth. There seems to be less of it available. And yet, life is richer and deeper. Being 52 years of age, I am considered to be an older mum. Yet regardless of age, I believe that becoming a mother as with all experiences, can greatly inform my practice so I feel very excited to be starting this 'Artist Residency in Motherhood’.

During the residency I will explore what motherhood throws up for me and see how it leads my practice. I will use the residency to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement geographically, lack of resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and will allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it. I will endeavour to both make and document in order to take my art to a new level by this time next year.

7. Secure the resources you need: Start doing after school art classes at xxx Primary and xxx Primary School in September
Sell baby clothes

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Trade childcare
Ask Eryl
Use the evenings better - one hour per night should be possible

8. Create a structure for your residency: In the garage studio
Using the laptop at the desk in the lounge

Start: 7/1/2018

End: 7/1/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 5

9. Create accountability for yourself: instagram
Website
Mentors - xxx and xxx
Journal

10. Will you share the work you make?: Possible exhibition at the end
Website

11. Community & Peers: Sharing ideas and work with xxx and xxx
Meeting other residency artists via Insta

12. How might you begin?: Making objects with xxx in the garden
Creating a planning board in the studio using a large sheet/pin on ideas and thoughts to explore
Start a painting

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Currently, I can work for between 2hours and 12hours a week, dependant on family and work commitments. I work at home; my lounge has a small corner segregated off with a purpose-built Ikea shelving unit and desk, I have all my equipment and supplies in here too, it's getting a little pressed for space. I like my corner of the room, but I would prefer privacy, its restrictive and overlooked. I get a lot on interruptions and noise. I'm in the final year of a distance learning Master of Arts in Fine Art based in the UK. I love the work that has come from it, but I would also like to work on art for art's sake for a while and not be structured into writing about it, allow it to be a bit more organic. Parenthood has probably enhanced my practice in that I have to be more structured and focused and work quickly. I feel that the tactility and sensuality that drive my work forward have come from the uncomfortable boundaries that motherhood has exposed and pushed.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: privacy - I need a lot of alone time, I'm an only child and I like my space.
time - Sometimes I just like to sit with work or thoughts and let them undo themselves, or equally I like to fold into what I'm working on, it's hard to do that when you have dinners to prepare or school pickups to carry out.
finances - art supplies are expensive in this part of the world, as is space and childcare, no family to help means its has to be factored into monthly budgets.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : solitude
artist-mother community
visibility
space

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: solitude - a studio away from the house/main room of the house, like a little shed!
artist-mother community - some other mothers that aren't ashamed of their mixed roles, mothers here hide their children, they often have home help which allows them to factor their children out of their practice. I am often judged for not attending events or workshops etc due to childcare issues as my income is lower than many here (i know that I am still in a position of privilege, but its all relevant right?)
visibility - the arts community is very post-colonial, my white/British/womanness goes against me, there is a lot of assumed privilege, I have had many people say it to my face. Programmes here will favour artists from the xxx region.
space - as with the solitude, could use a space away from the house.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: not feel ashamed about my struggles with motherhood, or that I am a mother. To not feel self-pity regarding our lower-income and to embrace the restrictions, as much as they frustrate me, and work with them. I would like more FLOW and grace.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have comfortable confidence in my work, to be able to discuss the ideas behind it and not back down or change the ideas when they are questioned. I am working on finding my language and would like to have that grounded after finishing the residency.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will not feel guilty for taking time for my work
I will not feel guilty for taking time for thinking
I will not feel guilty for purchasing materials and equipment
I will not be ashamed of choosing motherhood
I will not be ashamed of my struggle with motherhood
I will not be ashamed of being a woman
I will not be ashamed of my heritage, I am not perpetuating the thoughts and ethics of those before me,
I am me and not responsible for my ancestors
I will work when I need to
I will work how I need to
I will communicate with my community
I will own my ideas whilst allowing them to be adaptive as I grow
I will discover my confidence and own that too
I will be strong in my womanhood
I can be intelligent, powerful, creative, innovative, knowledgable, sensual and a mother.
I can be whoever the hell I wish to embody.

7. Secure the resources you need: I wish to make affordable art prints from my MA work, these will be available direct from my website and on licensed print sites. I will work on commissions and look into a Patreon/ studiodirect account.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Just writing this out I have already paused to move my studio around to make more space. In the cooler months, I work outside, in the summer months, I will enquire about renting a portion of warehouse space from local business owners/friends. I plan to collaborate with other creatives in my community who are willing to work with me, we are waiting for the MA to be over first. I have developed a couple of mentorship/support partnerships with other parents, dividing childcare/pooling childcare and swapping work with each other for comment.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will continue to work in my home studio and the local spaces I have access to free of charge.

Start: 3/22/2020

End: 3/22/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 7

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will continue to document on my blog which I currently use for my MA but wish to continue. The end date is a week after my birthday and a time for reflection in my life each year.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Via my blog, as it is made; the blog has become a journalling space for free-flowing thoughts and ideas. If there are any other forums or websites where other residents are sharing work I will happily contribute with them.

11. Community & Peers: As I have previously said, I am lucky in that I have access to other creatives and willing collaborators (how much they will actually collaborate is yet to be seen). I would love to be a part of an ARIM community group if one exists or perhaps I can set one up.

12. How might you begin?: I started the day I found out I was pregnant, now I'm just documenting it formally.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: My work is sporadic at best. I go through waves of making nothing and then wanting to make things all day, but not feeling like I have the time or the vision. I am trying, this year, to feel abundant in life, time, hope, and creativity. I generally don't like my own work until months later, and I guess I'd say I feel like an imposter. I am not an artist, but I am a person who likes to make, who feels best when putting things together. I have spent much less time doing these things since becoming a parent, even though I have plenty of time, my head hasn't been in it. At the same time, spending so much time with a toddler makes me see the world differently, feel more creative, and want to be making things, for my own benefit and to include her in something that I like doing.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I lived with post partum depression without getting diagnosis or support and everything felt under a shadow of anxiety and anger.
I am a stay at home parent with little free time during the day, and the free time I have in the evening is spent with my partner or being lazy. We live in a tiny apartment where I can't carve out personal space. My brain has felt mushy and unfocussed for a couple of years.
-mental health
-lack of time
-lack of physical space
-lack of mental space

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 

-solitude
-space to leave a mess out
-accountability
-validation (my own, maybe?)
-childcare
-visibility

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: -use my alone time for making
-move
-tell my partner my plans
-ask friends to help out
-make a website to share work

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Find pockets of time to get into work
Value the process of improving

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to find a direction, a commonality between the different mediums I enjoy; weaving, drawing, watercolour, writing. I'd like to feel I was working on a big project that felt cohesive. I'd like to make enough work to show it.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : By giving myself a year long residency in motherhood, I will come to believe in my own ability and value as an artist, to see the space, physical and temporal, around me for its possibility, to use my experiences as a parent and as a person to inform my work and to ask for what I need. In and of itself, asking for space, and believing I deserve it would be an accomplishment. I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: At home

Start: 3/5/2019

End: 3/5/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 3

9. Create accountability for yourself: a public blog

10. Will you share the work you make?: I'll share on the blog

11. Community & Peers: I am undertaking my residency alone.I might ask my partner to participate.

12. How might you begin?: I might begin by not putting off beginning.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I usually have about 2 hours a day for my creative work. On weekend it's better cause my husband can take care of a child for about 3 hours. I work from home (studio). It might be possible to work from an unfinished home where there is plenty of space. I might go there during her naps.

I stopped creating almost 2 years ago right now. I'm expecting second child to be born in 3 months so I feel I need to make space for my creative practice, find new ways and new methods suitable with my mother status. Family is very important to me and the situation (no baby at home) won't change soon.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: – I value family time the most and I depreciate my previous creative work (I can't see much value in it comparing to the time spend with my loved ones)
– there is always something to do with a kid and at home so even if I have time I choose to do something more urgent
– no dedicated space (we live in a small studio) and no dedicated time
– no idea how to make money out of my creative practice (so I personally can't treat it as real work)

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1. Dedicated time (=childcare)
2. Space (no need to clean up and set everything again each time I have time to work)
3. Visibility
4. Mentorship
5. Short term/long term goals

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. Arrange a person to take care of a child (my husband, her aunt), schedule time for creative work
2. Arrange a studio space in our new home (what I need?)
3. Plan publications and distribution
4. Contact 2-3 people with who I can share my outcomes and get feedback
5. Decide on what I want to achieve in short term and plan for that. Imagine the big picture

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: – Don't look for inspiration that much, just work –> bring things into life, get something shareable
– Share the process in more open way and engage with the audience
– Be consistent (do the very same thing day by day)
– Decide and stay focused (consistent), small gestures => get meaning over time
– Pay attention to the craft (become a master in craft, make something that has this unique craft, hand-made touch)

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I find a practice* that is sustainable and fit my current lifestyle. I know what my domaine is and I focus on my basic mean of expression. I set simple yet consistent system for sharing my work and growing interest. I experiment with new business model for my work. I manage to share my art (residency outcome) with an audience within art world infrastructure (textile biennale/exhibition in my home town).

*choose from diversity of activities and methods I've tried so far: embroidery, batik, installation, programming, organisation/activism, video, AR and VR, photogrammetry, online performances and on-site performances, collaborative work, photography, creative writing, poetry, art books, 3D modeling and texturing, etc.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : The goal is to practice and present. To practice life and to be more present. Accept my current status as wife and mother and take the most of it – live it fully, as an adventure and love story.
In this context art is for making things visible. It interprets reality and gives it a sense. In art what we see and what surrounds us becomes meaningful and complete.
In my artistic work I want to show that the world is redeemed. Redeemed means beloved.

7. Secure the resources you need: For the residency period I do not need additional funding. But I want to experiment with a few different options on how to make my art practice sustainable in the future.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I will use space in our unfinished house to work with textile (bring there table and all materials I work with). I can go there twice a week during the day for about 1,5 hour (makes 3 hours a week). I can also share child care with my husband more (he can take care of our daughter during the weekend – makes additional 3 hours of work). Every evening after she falls asleep I do online work and social media management (about 4-5 hours a week).

8. Create a structure for your residency: I want to focus on project call "xxxx". In 3 months I'm expecting our second child to come. I think a lot about his birth, what should I prepare and get for him, how to organise everything. Most of my thoughts are "product oriented" which means I focus on what to get and where to buy. I would like to switch my energy into more creative mode and think about layette differently – what a starting point for a newborn really is, how we are all coded by what we get from our relatives: first parents, grandparents, then also uncles and aunts, cousins, etc. How they all shape us and what is the baggage we bring into life based on characteristics of individual family members. I aim to use found objects and materials (also given from relatives). I'd love to make an embroidery-batik artwork with a digital interface that augment it.

Start: 4/12/2021

End: 6/13/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: A google doc linked to my instagram profile – statement + tracking progress

12. How might you begin?: I'm starting on Monday setting the studio at a new place. I will bring all the equipment and materials, and then I'll see what happens. In the evening the very same day I'm going to start with social media content documenting my process.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am continuing ’xxx’, a body of work that continues my investigations into motherhood. I have been shooting and researching for this project since 2018. This residency will last for the duration of the 2020/2021 School Board term. If school goes ahead as planned, this will allow me 10-20 hrs per week to invest in my practice.

For this body of work, I will be photographing myself, my children and items from our domestic space. This requires me to be able to photograph quickly and to work with the interest/patience of 8 & 10 year olds. It also requires me to continuously re-evaluate ethics of photographing my children and the power dynamics of the situation.

Since having children, my ‘studio’ is the dining room table. Although this presents many challenges, I also enjoy that it means I don’t have to leave the house to be surrounded by my books and prints.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: - Primary caregiver to an 8 & 10 yr old

- My mindset and perfectionism. I need to loosen up and create work by instinct.

- The way I prioritize my family/home responsibilities over creating work. I have a hard time working in a messy environment and like to have chores done prior to feeling free to focus. This inevitably means I lose at least 2 hours a day (of the 5.5 hours the kids are in school) to tasks that should be done when the kids are with me.

- I anticipate a minimum of 30% of school days will be ‘sick days’ as COVID-19 will restrict the kids going to school with even minor cold symptoms. I am also fully prepared for 1 or more school closure which will limit my predictable free time to 6-7:30am each weekday.

- Because my studio is in the middle of our home, I don’t have a space to sit with images spread out for any period of time.

- My printing production studio is closed and slated to reopen in Jan 2021. I have concerns it will not open until summer 2021.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1 – time to continue the series (Schools to re-open and stay open)
2 – access to printing studio
3 – grant funding
4 – solo/group exhibition of ‘xxx’
5 - new computer

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1 - COVID numbers to stay consistent / no second wave
2 - Settle with the idea of working more digitally and printing through a commercial studio or paying an artist with a printer to gain access to their technology
3 - Awaiting results for 2 grants written. I can move forward without funding.
4 - Have my group proposals accepted by exhibition selection committees and to continue to pursue exhibition possibilities.
5 - time to get my head around spending the money on this

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Update my technical skills

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: At the end of the June 2021, I would like 'xxx' to be solidly developed and in a place that can continue on for many years. This should include confidence in my artist statement, a small and large edition of 20 'spread' images as well as 50 single images. Ideally, I would like to be working towards a site specific installation of the series for 2021/22. In addition, I would also like to be at the early stage of starting a new body of work which may/may not be connected.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2009 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as an artist. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

I will strive to let go of perfectionism and controlled creation environments and focus on the magic that movement, curiosity and banality offer. I will continue to create ‘xxx’ and allow myself the freedom to trust my instincts. I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, limited studio time, and overall chaos that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: - Await grant results
- Consider a trade for resources/training/support with other artists
- Don't be afraid to make some art that is saleable
- Don't shut down ideas to renovate the third floor

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Exercise before kids go to school to make more time for my studio day.

Don't look for a perfect time to work. Instead, consider all times (when I'm tired, busy, on holiday, in mass isolation...) as an opportunity to find beauty and intrigue in my landscape.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work from home during weekdays between the hours of 9am-2:30pm. I will aim for a minimum of 15 hrs per week, with the understanding that fall out from COVID-19 may require me to reconsider my structure. At the start of each week I will write out my goals, breaking down the tasks into do-able sized jobs. Each morning I will write out my list for the day and keep a stop watch going to track my time in the studio.

Start: 9/21/2020

End: 6/29/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 15

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will use a notebook to list my goals for the week and track my daily tasks and hours of artistic creation/research. At the end of each week, I will transfer the time dedicated to my practice each week, alongside with notes that indicate barriers and successes. Artworks will be uploaded to my website and instagram to publicly share the evolution of my practice.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will update my website at least once a month and post to instagram at least twice a month. I will also actively research options to exhibit or publish my artwork and will submit proposals (world-wide) as opportunities arise.

11. Community & Peers: I will take on this residency alone.

12. How might you begin?: I will follow the same steps I took with my first 2019-2020 residency (noted in question 9). This will occur one week after the completion of the current ARiM that I am completing.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Frustratingly never enough time to work as long as I please, so I grasp at any chance I can! I've set up my own work-space in my living-room. Currently working on a series of mixed media paintings which tend to develop by themselves. I enjoy playing with materials, building up textures and colors and noticing how the subconscious has a role in it. Parenthood makes me realize that time is precious and we must make the most of it.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Isolation doesn't help confidence.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Visibility - 'getting myself out there' so to speak.
Time - the longing for a retreat to be able to work 24/7 on my art.
Community - it'd be nice to know I'm not alone struggling to make a living out of art.
Materials - one day I will have powdered paint and more sponges! And that shelf to hold it all.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Help.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Having a specific deadline would help me to get something done on a daily basis.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I'd like to have finished this present series of paintings and to have more ideas about returning to sculpture while having a new route for more painting.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Not feeling restricted and unable to work when my children are around me. Any tiny bit of work is progression - any minute I can spend on it has to be a positive.
I must seek out more support from the artists community to reduce the isolation and not feel like a housewife having a hobby.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: One biggie would be to 'do something every day' no matter how little it is.

8. Create a structure for your residency: Home

Start: 1/16/2017

End: 2/6/2017

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will log myself in my notebook and keep track of myself.

10. Will you share the work you make?: art sites online
galleries nearby

Location: France

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am able to work productively on my art about 4 hours, 4 times a week. This is an improvement due to the fact my son is 19 and away at college, and my daughter is now 16. Time is still constrained, but I no longer have the intense demands I did when they were younger.

Presently I have a paid rental studio which is located about 2 miles from my home. That is useful because when I come to the studio, I cannot do anything else, but art-related work. Although I have a home studio, when I am there, I often hear the “laundry list” in my head of all the home and family maintenance tasks that stops me from going in there, or staying in there for any length of time. I am currently engaged in acrylic painting, trying to become a stronger painter after years of focusing on printmaking, silkscreen and monotypes, mostly. Ideally I would like to incorporate the printmaking into the painting.

Parenthood has made my focus stronger, because I simply do not have full days in which to work, so I am forced to be very focused when I go into the studio. I am learning to produce more in shorter amounts of time, which is a huge relief. I used to think I needed to put in 6-8 hours in order to make something worthwhile. That is not feasible, nor is it practical in this day and age. All artists I know are juggling something in addition to art making, whether it be families or jobs.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: My challenges:
1. Juggling family responsibilities with art making
2. Financial strain of paying for studio and supplies
3. Teaching/paid work takes energy and time away from thinking about and making art.
4. Stress of feeling like my head is in too many places at once, unable to focus on art.
5. Feeling bad I am exercising less and seeing people less
6. Putting pressure on self to sell art to make money

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1. Time to think calmly with no pressure to produce
2. Want freedom to create and experiment freely without pressure to make something sellable
3. A space where I am uninterrupted for several hours at a time
4. Solitude for a few hours a day
5. Accountability so I stay on task, keep continuity

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. Time away from home and responsibilities
2. A space to work and not worry about money
3. An area to work without interruption.
4. Schedule my time around my daughter’s sleep and activity times
5. A mentor/life coach, possibly

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Have several hours a day uninterrupted in a quiet peaceful setting where I know I do not have to do the laundry, cook, clean or schedule anything. Paint freely, larger than 12 x 12 on wood panels. Use the wood in the design of the pieces. Let nature and the environment I am influence the work, through the materials, color choices, subject matter, means of making each piece.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have completed at least two larger wood panel paintings, abstract in nature, influenced not by urgency, but by the the peace and renewed energy I hope to enjoy in such a rural place. Although I have been painting lately at 12 x 12, I hope to paint at least 18 x 24 panels. Without feeling too much pressure to do so!

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the births of my children in 1999 and 2003 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as an artist. I find now that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.
I also want to emphasize, that although being an artist and mother gets easier in time, having teenagers is still very demanding and requires a high degree of organizational skill. On the upside, you are less sleep deprived and better able to manage the multiplicity of tasks required to manage a family and an art career.
In order to get a break from all the scheduling and juggling, I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, limited movement and resources that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: I am fortunate to have received a grant from the Arts and Humanities council, part of which will pay for materials used in this residency. I plan to display the completed work when I return home and offer for sale, both in the gallery and online. Also I hope to sell prints from my paintings which can help pay for expenses.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: In the kitchen or any available work area of my rental cottage; possible plein air, mountain lake for watercolor painting.

Start: 7/25/2019

End: 7/31/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 20

9. Create accountability for yourself: Will make a journal of my residency; include notes on challenges, adaptations, and achievements, mood, joys of being there. And any new ideas that come to mind, doodles/sketches. Website blog and Instagram also.

10. Will you share the work you make?: IG, FB, exhibit paintings upon return the following month

11. Community & Peers: Alone, and with my daughter. I plan to include her in some of the art making activities. Will connect with extended family and family back home.

12. How might you begin?: Begin by beginning. Unpack, grab a space, start painting. Do not think too much at first. Just start applying paint to panel and see what emerges.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I hire a babysitter for three hours once a week, and I am able to work for 2 of those hours at a coffee shop. My babysitter is starting her job as a teacher, so I won't have that luxury unless I can find someone else. I can also work from home during naps, but a lot of that time I decide instead to clean, or do work or nap/decompress so I would like to be more structured with that time while I have it. 2 hours from 10-12pm, and 1 hour fro 3-4pm. 2 of those 3 hours could be used to work on my novel. Parenthood has made less time for my working practice. But the time I do get I feel I cherish it more than before. I'm working on completing a novel.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Tired
I still work part time and am the full time child care provider for my daughter
I work weekends and nights so I feel like I go from 1 job to the next.
I don't really have a designated space for my creative studio. We live in a small apartment so my studio is a bedroom/office/dog crate location.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : COMMUNITY, accountability, childcare

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: community- some way to find other artists who are also parents. How do I find them? or Time to go to readings and art shows or take a class
accountability- hoping this residency I am sharing with Jenny will help with that
childcare: I need to stop procrastinating and get on care.com and hire someone

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to make an honest attempt at working on my novel 5 days a week, even if it's for a short time

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have revised at least 3 chapters

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: apply to residencies (?), find other creative moms to swap child care, budget for a babysitter!

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Jenny will be my accountability tracker and mentor. I could work at the YMCA where I get two hours of child-watch, I could clean out the bedroom and make it a little ore inviting for me. I could just choose to not wash dishes or fold laundry or go to the grocery store!

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: regular check ins with xxx. And keep a personal journal and log my time.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will share my work with xxx at the end.

11. Community & Peers: xxx xxx! I can meet with her once a week (I think on a weekend), and we can touch base once during the week as well.

12. How might you begin?: NOW

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am 7-months pregnant with my first child and devoting the next two weeks to my art. Namely, I will work on a revision of my first novel, creating something sentence by sentence. I am going to devote the mornings to writing in the studio, the Library, coffee shops, and elsewhere.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Too much unstructured time leads to "where did the day go?" I need to set goals and create a schedule for this residency.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : -Accountability
-Goals
-Structure & schedule
-Reading list
-Calendar of stars
-Inspiration
-Confidence
-Discipline
-Sense of importance

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: -Accountability: a buddy, Instagram
-Goals: a list
-Structure & schedule: Kraft paper
-Reading list: Organize
-Calendar of stars: Kraft paper
-Inspiration: walking, talking
-Confidence: positive thinking, creativity meditation
-Discipline: schedule
-Sense of importance: community

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Feel deeply engaged, have solitude and headspace, get out of bed, feel the importance of doing my work rather than avoiding it

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: After my residency, I will feel the flush of deep involvement in my work. I will have written 50 polished pages that, if they do not careen with plot, capture a mood and tone of the work in finely crafted sentences.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : By adhering to a schedule and holding myself accountable with community and rewards, I will make creative work my primary focus over the next 16 days. I will only say yes to social engagements that reinforce my feelings of creativity and community, and I will use books and local resources to feel connected to a vital creative community.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in the home studio, at the Library and coffee shops, as desired.

Start: 11/1/2019

End: 11/16/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 20

9. Create accountability for yourself: Written calendar, residency diary,

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes. I will share the work with xxx before my due date.

12. How might you begin?: With haste and courage!

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I'm working a lot less than before, but feel that the time constraints may end up helping me. I work better with structure and urgency, I'm deadline motivated, so knowing I only have as much time as baby allows in effect can be a crucible for work.
I work in my studio, which is a dedicated shed structure in my backyard that I use only for painting and illustration. It is possible to bring baby in there with me, I have done it before, but she is pretty distracting. My time in there isn't better or worse, it's just different. Instead of the internet (for example) distracting me, now it's the baby.

Right now I'm still in beginning stages of my creative career, having only started working on it in earnest the last 5 years or so after years of dabbling. I'm in a better habit of regular studio time and feeling more comfortable with the technical aspects of my work, and am starting to experiment and play to find my style and express my perspectives. I am trying to embark on creating my first series of work on the catalyst that is loss, grief and trauma. I haven't yet determined my constraints to keep the series consistent but that's where I am right now. I would like to create at least a dozen pieces in this series. It will be interesting to see how I can make this happen with a baby now determining much of my schedule (as she is only 4 months old right now)

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I am working part-time to pay my bills, so I only have 2 days a week where I am not working to do all my art work, and any weekend time I can manage. Given that I also would like to see my husband on occasion and also do activities to refresh and "reload" my spirit, oh and also do all the errands that are needed to keep my house running, finding time can be a bit of a challenge but it IS doable, and I have done it. There is a smaller pool of time available but given I had been working 80+ hours a week before starting my creative career more seriously, I'm used to grabbing whatever small bits of time I can get.
Lack of energy can be a problem, as it is both due to medical reasons, the seasons, and just having a small baby.
I also get lonely spending all day in the studio sometime, as sometimes the only time I can get in there is when my husband is home, and it feels like I never see him either.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Mentorship and direction are the big ones. I have never had a mentor in my art career as I've also never had any formal training outside of ad hoc art classes, so my work has always been self-directed. I am generally pretty self-motivated but I don't know how to network, how to get started, I don't have any real community to be a part of, and I often feel that my lack of formal art schooling makes me "illegitimate."

Prioritized list:
Mentorship
Community
Direction
Accountability
New Experiences
Time
Inspiration
Childcare
... the rest

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Mentorship - this one I'm not really sure. I can try asking some of my artsy FB friends and seeing if it is of interest. ?
Community - I could lean more on my online community for this. Ideally I'd have an in-person community but I will take what I can get!
Direction - I should spend some time putting my thoughts together on what my series will be and not rush the planning process, which I tend to do in my eagerness to be "in the moment"
Accountability - Set a deadline for myself and let people know to hold me to it
New Experiences - Tough with a kid, but if I hand her to my husband on a Saturday I should be able to get out of the house!
Time - Put it on my calendar
Inspiration
Childcare
... the rest

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Work with a sense of purpose but not TOO directed. I tend to go between the two extremes -- something completely loose or something too defined. I'd like ot set up a structure -- a theme, some constraints, some unifying principles -- but then let things go from there.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: Having never embarked on a series work before, I'd like to use the dedicated time to have completed my first series by the end of this residency.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I have struggled with my identity as an artist for years, and as a woman for most of my life. Since becoming pregnant last year my sense of self was thrown into disarray, and after experiencing a traumatic birth I've been aggressively working to reclaim my own space and find my footing again. I have struggled to carve out time for myself as an artist, and rearranged my life to make that space, and now find my time as a mother and caretaker trying to reclaim that time again. I have decided to stop fighting this time and try to make the two get along together. When I have my child in the studio space with me, her gurgles and coos while I paint are a distraction, but they are also encouragement. When my baby forces me to stop working because she needs attention, love, food, or a diaper changing, I use this time to stand back from my work and reassess instead of getting so up-front in the details that I forget to see the big picture.

7. Secure the resources you need: I'm going to try setting up a Patreon campaign

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I'm very lucky that I'm quite happy with my work space as I have my own dedicated art space at home (art shed!) I have registered for a small baby pen for my baby shower that I might be able to bring in the studio so when my daughter is more mobile she'll have a safe place to play (out of hand's reach of all those solvents!)

8. Create a structure for your residency:

Start: 8/22/2017

End: 8/15/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 9

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will use my public Facebook account and my Patreon account to be accountable for my time in the studio. I will also make semi-regular blog posts on my website.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Mostly online -- Instagram, Facebook, my blog, and Twitter.
I'd also like to submit my work to local galleries if at all possible, especially since my final product will be a series that I hope will be gallery-ready.

11. Community & Peers: This will be done alone, but I will be relying on the friends I have on FB, Insta and Twitter to help cheer me on, especially those in the local art community that I know here in the Boston area. But it would be wonderful to have more.

12. How might you begin?: Dive in head-first! Planning stages first, which I don't want to rush. Map out a timeline. Be methodical, much like when I do comic work, page-by-page.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I've been in a rough patch with my creative practice for some time. After quitting my full-time job two years ago to do freelance work, I thought I was opening a new pathway into my own writing and visual artwork, and in many ways I did. But I underestimated the amount of time I needed to thaw from professional anxiety and really tap into my creative impulses again. I wrestled with many engrained ideas of what constitutes a productive and meaningful life: weighing the "should do's" with "want to do's". There was a lot there to undo. Then, five months ago, I had a baby. I felt more creative during my pregnancy than I ever have before. I found myself drawing, writing, making objects, taking notes. The monumental shift in my priorities felt amazing and I felt like I finally understood the importance of living my truth and making my mark. I wanted my child to know me like that. I don't want to lose this momentum, but giving birth and caring for an infant has reduced my capacity in many ways. It has also expanded me and allowed me to sift through the murk of what matters to me. I want to bring this new clarity into my practice. I want to be able to say "I have a practice" again without feeling guilt or embarrassment about what I haven't accomplished.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: My baby does not yet nap on a reliable schedule. When the baby does sleep on her own, I often run around the house doing mundane chores and admin/freelance computer work as quickly as possible. My partner can care for our child for some spans of time on the weekends, but I often find myself not wanting to miss out on family time, and thus putting my own activities to the side. I am tired. When I sit down to write or make or think, I second-guess the importance of my contribution. I spend a lot of time doing this, and then resenting myself for wasting time. I'm afraid of being seen as "just" a mom now, of disappearing from or being written off by my creative community.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1. Childcare and the additional income to afford it; 2. Direction; 3. Community/accountability

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. I need to figure out a way to have my paid work make me more money without taking more of my time. (Is such a thing possible?!) 2. I often feel very scattered in my ideas and need to commit to one or two projects. Perhaps talking to a mentor or taking a class would help with this. 3. We are going to be moving to a new city next month, and it is imperative that I find a way to get involved with other artists and writers there. I need to attend events, and to be socially proactive. Joining a writing or critique group would help.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to commit to a certain number of hours a week where I will be focusing on my own work. I want to get out of my head a little bit and just make/write and see what comes out. I want to put my work out there: submit to journals, apply for grants or residencies, self-publish. It's too easy for me to stay comfortably in the research phase. At this point I need to start generating and really pushing myself to work.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to be in a place where my I am living my artistic practice out. I want my studio time to be regular and easy to slip into. I want there to be a constancy to my making so there aren't such huge emotional hurdles to go through each time I sit down to work. I want to be writing regularly for some outlet, and to be engaged and in dialogue with a wider creative community.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I would like to write a manifesto but feel daunted by it right now.

7. Secure the resources you need: One idea I have is to really push my letterpress printing into a small business. For me, printing is practice, but also easily commodified. I don't want to become a stationer, but I think I could be utilizing this unique skill and equipment to make some extra money. I'd also like to look for regional art council grants for writing (and/or other).

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: We are moving next month and our new apartment has a sunroom that I want to commit to being my space, not a baby zone or family zone. I need to figure out how to teach the baby to nap for longer periods of time because I'm certain I could get more done if I could count on a few hours each morning and afternoon. It's tricky because we are going to be in this new place without a social network. Hoping to find a community of caregivers that I trust and that we could work cooperatively. I think if I can achieve what I outlined in #5, getting down to work could be a lot smoother.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in the sunroom-turned-studio, and in the garage where my letterpress will be.

Start: 8/1/2019

End: 8/1/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will use my journal to record my internal journey. I will create an accountability system with my mentors until I find community in my new city.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will get my website back up and running and will post my work there. I would also like to consider a mailing group that regularly receives my writing. I will aim to send a short piece of experimental writing once a month for a year.

11. Community & Peers: I will undertake my residency alone, as I am about to be in a new place where I do not know very many people. I will maintain connections to my existing community and would like to be in touch with xxx, xxx, xxx, and xxx. Not that it is hugely important, but all of these people are parents and I am interested in being in dialog with them about how they've integrated parenthood and their practices.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin on August 1, two weeks after our move, when our home is fresh and ready to be lived and worked in. During the two weeks prior I will set up my spaces. On August 1 I will begin by making a schedule and getting to work.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Right now, I am only able to work when my daughter is napping. I had childcare two days a week until the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to restart again. I work in my home studio, a converted garage, without which I wouldn't be able to work at all right now. My daughter naps in her stroller in the studio while I paint. I'm currently working on paintings, continuing the same body of work that I've focused on for the past few years. While I ordinarily work in oil, I'm currently pregnant and limiting my exposure to oil paint, so I'm also working in gouache.
Parenthood has had an enormous impact on my practice, and the way in which I work, but less of an obvious influence on the work that I've made. I am forced to be much more efficient the way that I use my time and I have to adapt frequently. Currently, i can paint quietly for about two hours a day, but i rarely have time for any other studio work (organization, research). Right now, pregnancy is influencing my process because i am limiting my exposure to potentially harmful materials as well as reducing my studio time (I’m tired!).
The other thing that parenthood has done is narrow my focus and shift my subject material a bit. Because I am at home with a child, I have been pulling more from my immediate surroundings when making work. While my previous work was entirely about greenhouses and far away locations, I have now incorporated a lot of the plant life that I see daily into my work. Instead of working from photos for almost every painting, I am observing more on my neighborhood walks. This has only intensified during the pandemic, as I am even more limited in where I can travel for research gathering.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: no childcare (hopefully will change but will be contingent on pandemic conditions)
lack of time
lack of energy
need to limit oil painting (preferred medium)
frustrations with working in gouache
constant interruption
no time/patience for research
difficulty concentrating
organization and schedule, feel like I’m just doing things as they come up without much pre planning
concerns about maintaining momentum while I’m still stay-at-home parenting (aka just making paintings in a void, keeping connected to the larger art world to my local artist community, staying connected to teaching )

My challenges:
1. No Childcare
2. Organization
3. Lack of Time
4. adjusting to medium restrictions
5. Keeping Career on Track (apply to opportunities, participate in collective etc)
6. Research
7.Concentration

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : I need childcare or a better way to make work while still caring for my daughter

I need time (same as above) but i need a few different kinds of time, I need time to work in the studio, time to keep myself moving forward professionally (applications, teaching, selling work), time to feel unburdened so that I can experiment and not feel as though I’m being wasteful. I need to change my mindset in this regard, because time spent exploring is just as valuable as time spent making the things I feel like I ‘should’ be painting.
I need inspiration, but I also need not to make a dozen little paintings of unrelated subjects while I figure it out. I want to make paintings that stay within the overall body of work .

i need the time and space to clean and organize my studio so i can take stock of where i am at with my work and not let myself get overwhelmed and cramped.

I need:
1. Childcare
2. or a new model for making work while parenting
3. organization and budget to apply to show and publication opportunities
4. commitment to site and shop upkeep and other sales venues
5. Inspiration
6. using that inspiration wisely but not without experimentation
7. organization

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: For each of the items on your list, what would it take to get each of these things?
1. Pandemic Restrictions safely eased
2. a plan to experiment with ways of working with toddler, either bringing my practice into our routine or bringing her into the studio more
3. dedicated planning time once a month, improved systems of filing and applying (physically and digitally organized)
4. More planning time (again, 1x a month)
5. Research time, in the field and studying. Implement by going on trips, library research, online research
6. planning and sketching time! Not all studio creative time needs to be painting focused
7. time alone in the studio to clean/organize, possibly storage space (need either childcare or energy at night)

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I want to be more considered in my time and schedule, using my free time a little more intentionally.
I want to try not to be on autopilot in the studio and just make paintings, instead remember the many options available to me.
Try out letting xxx play in the studio while I do work (non-painting probably)
Work more on researching my subjects (artists for inspiration, also greenhouses and botany) and applying to opportunities (shows, publications etc)
I want to try to do whatever in-person research trips I can (this could be going to parks and gardens with the intent to collect sketches and pics) and use library resources
Since i can’t go see art in person, finding a way to make looking at art virtually less overwhelming. (maybe make a commitment to a certain number of shows per month to really look at online, not just instagram scrolling)

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I want to set myself up so that I’m able to successfully make the transition to parenting two children and still finding time to make work. i have more responsibilities now than i did when my daughter was born, besides taking care of her full-time, I am teaching once a month and a member of an artist collective that meets for bi-weekly critiques with plans to stage shows and print publications. I don't expect things to be the same as they were when she was an infant, when I could focus on filling every crevice of free time with painting, but i want to make sure that i am able to maintain the level of commitment and professionalism that i want for myself as I go forward in my career. I don’t want to drop either of my artistic lifelines to the outside world (teaching and my critique group), nor do I want to leave it at that. I want to keep growing in my work and my ambitions but to do that I will need to be flexible and more intentional about how I spend my time.
I’m not sure by what metric I will grade the success of this particular residency period. Unlike my last residency, there will be a lot of change and instability to my routine, we will travel, my level of parenting support will fluctuate and I can’t predict the external influences of the coronavirus pandemic or necessary social and political upheaval. I plan on ending this residency before my second child is born, but with the intent to resume it several months later. I don’t expect overnight success or a sudden transformation into a more efficient, organized artist, but I do hope to feel satisfied with the choices and accommodations I will have made.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in May 2018 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as an artist. I find now that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

As I prepare for the birth of my second child, in a world so radically transformed from the one in which I completed my first Artist Residency in Motherhood, I will endeavor to be more flexible than ever, adapting the means by which I create my work but keeping my goals and creative drive constant.
I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.
My ingrained studio habits have undergone several upheavals, I view this time as a chance to experiment, ditch stifling routines, and push myself. I will renounce my old working methods as the model for creativity. Despite the scattershot nature of my days and the scarcity of truly free time, motherhood can be an opportunity to become more efficient and resourceful. Despite the uncertainty of a world threatened by pandemic and in the face of a new, personal upheaval, I will attempt to create a new, infinitely adaptable framework for my practice. I will be intentional, ambitious and open in my work and in the ways I create.

7. Secure the resources you need: I don’t need to fundraise right now, but will continue to look for grant opportunities that fit my needs
I will look at my daily schedule and find places where I could be adding research time or application time.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I will begin to experiment with incorporating my daughter into some of the early sketching and planning stages of work, so that I can have more creative time. I will reorganize my studio and consider the possibility of safely having my daughter play there while I do work.
I will have contingency plans, for when childcare must be suspended due to safety concerns, for days where I’m too physically overwhelmed by pregnancy to be ambitious. i will make fall-back plans for myself.

8. Create a structure for your residency: at home and in my studio, when we are traveling I will work wherever I can, hopefully establishing a protected space to work.

Start: 6/22/2020

End: 9/19/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 16

9. Create accountability for yourself: A combination of a checklist and check-ins on my instagram. I will also keep my art collective/critique group informed of my progress.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I don’t know when I will have the opportunity to show work in person again, but I will be sharing work with the Collective during our bi-weekly meetings and I will share work on social media.

11. Community & Peers: Collective critique group, peers and friends online (mainly instagram)

12. How might you begin?: Making my checklist and starting to plot out my schedule

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Currently I can dedicate time 2 days a week while my toddler is at daycare and I'm home with my 8 month old. I'm working on a new series of collages that I hope to turn (some of) into paintings on canvas. I work at home, and don't have a dedicated studio space since having our second baby. Having kids has hugely affected the amount of time I'm able to spend on my art, and where I'm able to work on it. I'm excited to be working on this series particularly because creating any art reminds me who I am and what I am capable of outside of being a mom.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Having my baby at home with me does slow things down, although she is very chill at the moment. It is hard to get in "the zone" when I'm multitasking with a baby, or counting down until nap time is over. I know it will only get more difficult as she gets more mobile, but once she stops nursing I will be able to hopefully put her in daycare as well. The other difficulty is the ability to start and stop working, because I have to set up and put away all of my materials every time I want to work (because, toddler!).

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Dedicated space. Community. Time. Accountability. Sleep. Childcare. Goal, Direction

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Dedicated space - would have to forgo having a guest bed in the extra room so that I could set up a table. That or find a studio space away from home, which is less likely until my child is in daycare. Funding would also be an issue for this, because I would be paying for daycare AND for studio space.
Community - make time to go meet more artists in the area, or decide to find more community online. Would need to get back on social media, which is risky for my mental health, but
Time - going to the community to meet other artists takes time and is difficult with two young children with me. and i don't necessarily want to forgo studio time to do this because it would consistently take a large portion of my day when my child is in daycare. The solution would be more daycare days, or dedicating more afternoons/ evenings to exploring the art around.
Accountability - someone checking in on my art days, not getting distracted
Childcare - just gotta pay up to get it
Goal - making the conscious decision to just DO, just MAKE, MAKING is the goal, not necessarily something more finite

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Have a more dedicated purpose and focus on what I'm doing and creating. Focus just on creating and worry about the end result later. Don't waste time thinking about how everything needs to end up. Accountability, goals, dedicated time and schedule set aside for making art where I don't schedule or do any other things during that time. Be more strict about my Art/Work. Treat it like a job in a sense that it is in my schedule and that is time to make art or do research.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to feel more confident in my work, and I would like a path to know that I can keep creating, free from outside pressures.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2018 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I think about my career as an artist.
I will undergo this year-long self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it. I plan to prioritize my art practice, make every day a studio day, keep track of my hours and progress, and complete a series of collage paintings.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I could use my home differently to create a better work space that I can quickly access to create in a pinch. I could create more consistency and routine on a weekly basis so that I can better use my time, regardless of my husband's unpredictable work schedule. I can find a mentor to help keep me accountable and share work and ideas with.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work from home as long as I have my baby with me, and then look for a space outside the house once she is old enough to go to daycare.

Start: 2/25/2021

End: 2/25/2022

How many hours a week will you work?: 12

9. Create accountability for yourself: Keep track of studio hours on the calendar, and find a mentor to have regular check-ins with.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I plan to find a space to show my collage paintings once I am well underway with the new series.

11. Community & Peers: This is my own residency, though I plan to find a mentor to have regular check-ins with. I don't yet know who that will be.

12. How might you begin?: Jump right in.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I would like to be painting more, but put it on the back-burner after all the other creative projects and adulting, day job, etc. It's time to give it the priority it deserves. I have been making progress with the mediums that are easier to do with the children and my free time, but I can absolutely make time for painting, and must. I am able to create (meaning thinking, writing, sketching, or on art) at least 4 hours a week. I feel better about that now, and it feels sustainable. Parenthood helped me realize I must make art, and it's an important part of my identity. But creating time and honoring it for myself (within my family life and living with my own older mother) has been difficult at times.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: It's hard to live with my mother. As much as she supports my art, I feel that she sees that time as frivolous. It’s hard having limited privacy to reflect on my work with the autonomy I need. I'm working though some of this with a professional therapist, because I need better boundaries.

Allowing myself and giving myself permission to paint.

Continuing to discuss and plan with my husband so we each have our time, and honor it.

Time, I must put my own painting in 2021 first, and not discount it after everything. I Need this.

Organize my workspace so it's better for me. I deserve my space to be my own, including my studio lamp.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Solitude

Boundaries

Organized Space

Let go of any insecurities over what I'm making.

A mentor would be amazing.

No materials needed

Color - Learning more about color.

Focus

Get things off plate

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Solitude - this is a big one. I can either wake up or stay up late, or plan specific time during the weekend with my partner.

Boundaries with my family so I don’t feel guilty and take the time I need without feeling guilty.

Organized Space - Work with my husband over the break to organize our spaces. TAKE UP SPACE in our studio.

Let go of any insecurities over what I'm making. I don't have to be doing what others are doing. I just need to be making what I'm making.

A mentor would be amazing. Thinking through that, because I have some that would be a good fit, and I can find a way to pay them.

Not many materials needed. What would help is a Stay-wet palette which will help with the time / space and circumstances. and painting surfaces so I can get right to work.

Focus on the idea I have and keep going with it.

Wrap up some of the projects I'm doing and set boundaries with my energy / time for that. Outsource or ask for help or a virtual assistant if needed.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to make painting something I prioritize as part of my creative practice, versus just fitting into my life. Instead, I can fit in the other parts of my creative life that support my work but this year, is painting and pattern design. Perhaps there is a way to merge them a bit, or also paint patterns, which is something I'm very interested in.

I'd like to not feel like I can't ask for time in my life with the children and other obligations. I want to see painting as something I must do, and that others accept that I need to do as well. Or at least keep any negative comments to themselves.

Not see the set up of a the paint or worrying about possibly wasting materials as a hold up to getting to work, or attempting. I can always get more supplies.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I'd like to have made 3 paintings that I'm proud of, and learned how to mix color very well for the objects I'm painting. There should be a deep meaning to the work that I'm creating, and some joy in the moments as well (not all, but many!). I want to have held space for myself that puts me and my needs first.

I want to truly see myself as a painter after this residency.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will use this time to finally give myself permission to deeply immerse myself in the paintings that I want to explore and create, amidst the demands of every day life. I will no longer put my own art on the back burner for the creative things I have done in the past, that are demanding of my time, energy, and resources. I can still do these things, but while getting paid to do so, and after I get my own artwork done. I will work alongside my family to make sure they are in support of what I need, just as I do for them. I will let go of limiting beliefs that it is too late for me to learn to paint how I want to, or that I'm not good enough, or need to spend my efforts elsewhere. I will give myself the gift of this focused energy and effort, because it will be too late if I don't do it now. I will put my community efforts into the paid community where the time and energy is valued, so that I can get help where needed (hiring a VA if needed) so that I can get my time back to make my art, and not hide behind being busy if I have any fear that my work will not be good enough. It just needs to be what it is.

7. Secure the resources you need: I will monetize a project I'm doing with my that will pay for the time and effort. I have done too much for free already, and it's been wonderful, but it's also put my own work on the backburner at a disservice to my art.

I will consider a Patreon, but am hesitant as I think one more thing will make me focus on that external thing versus myself. I need to focus on doing this for me. I'm grateful to have money right now from my dayjob and we are okay.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I need to organize my space and close up a few projects over my head.

I need to appoint a couple of friends as accountability people and to give critique when needed.

I will designate 2 days a week painting time so that it becomes a habit.

I have a mentor in mind that I will reach out to, but not ready yet. By February - yes.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my organized studio area that has the things easily accessible and an abundance of panels or canvases to work on.

I will hang a larger inspiration board so I can keep track of ideas and make notes, and have that there. I will commandeer my Studio lamp so that I don't have to move it every time.

We will get the kids to bed earlier so that we can both paint at night when needed.

I will spend at least 2 hours per week painting for Q1. 4 weeks per week Q2-Q4.

Start: 1/1/2021

End: 12/31/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 2

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will track it in my personal journal, but may consider doing it on my blog and checking in with my accountability friends.

10. Will you share the work you make?:

Patreon

Blog

Instagram

11. Community & Peers: This will be alone. I am part of a wonderful community but need to be in a community of people ahead of me to learn. I need to do my work.

12. How might you begin?: I will buy the minor supplies I need to make the work and have it be easier to access (Stay wet palette, books, and a bigger bulletin board).

I will organize my space so that it is workable for me, and it will not be touched by the family as our flex space.

I will plan out the 1-2 days per week in advance that I want to paint, and stick to that schedule.

I will let my close friends know so they can help hold me accountable and help cheer me on.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am able to work probably an hour a day, three days a week (if I make myself take the time). I have a small studio space/hallway between the kitchen and the laundry room. I have a desk and shelves and all my supplies there. This is the only space I have for the moment, and it's location can be a bit distracting at times. I just completed a project doing a very tiny drawing every day for 40 days. I did this in response to Lent meditations. I am currently planning collaborative project to create a Lent devotional experience for my church congregation for 2020. My artistic practice definitely took a major halt after the birth of my son last year. I have not yet found a way to have a substantial period of time each day to devote to my creative work. I have had a mind to put it on the back burner for the next 6-? years (I think I am pregnant again...) I don't feel completely dejected by that idea, however, I am starting to wonder if it actually might be feasible to have more of a working practice that I before thought possible.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 1.) Day to day care of son
2.) Lost touch with a continuous process
3.) Busy schedule with other projects/responsibilities
4.) Lack of motivation
5.) Disorganized studio space
6.) Vision/focus on work
7.) No deadlines/projects

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1.) Time for focused thoughts
2.) Accountability
3.) Childcare
4.) More tangible aesthetic connection to my surroundings
5.) More organized studio space (easier access to my supplies)

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1.) Designated time during the day (30 min) or thinking, reading, writing, drawing
2.) Friend from my community art group at my church to meet up (every two weeks...once a month???)
3.) Money... or perhaps make some other connection with friend/community member to watch son. Or perhaps specifically use his nap time only for art.
4.) Keep a photographic log on my phone of images that are stimulating as I come across them.
5.) Build shelving (husband can help). System of organization in my current space.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like for intentionality in the way I approach my work. I do many things in my life with intentionality and have a good capacity for organization, and I would like to give my work that type of attention. I would like to create a more rigid slot in my schedule that becomes a part of this (new) life rhythm of motherhood. I would like to invite my husband into my thoughts regarding my work and ask for his help and input more. I would like to think of this creative work as important and a valuable part of our home environment. My creative health adds something rich and wholesome our home and I want to remember this so that I don't neglect it.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I feel that I had a pretty consistent process/trajectory of artistic work before my pregnancy. Multiple moves (to different residences) and recovering from/adjusting to motherhood seems to change that completely. I find myself unable to access the imagery from the past. I would like this residency to be a pregnancy of sorts. I would like to incubate and nurture a process that is reflective of my current place in life as well as my new context (we purchased a home in a racially segregated, urban neighborhood). My hope is that I would be on my way to creating a new body of work and to establish daily habits that make this possible.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : During this residency I commit to set aside daily devotional/reflection time to create a deeper well to draw from in my artistic practice. I also aim to set aside one hour a day, four times a week in which to work on my physical artistic practice. This work will begin with "nesting" in my current studio space, creating an environment of order that will promote creativity. Motherhood will remind me that moments are fleeting and precious, and that it is essential to capture these and value them, and not to squander them. I will embrace the fact that moments of intentional focus over a long period of time accumulate. I will learn to be satisfied with this type of work and let the limitations that come that come with motherhood shape my discipline and focus. I will also use this as an opportunity to bring others into my artistic practice and ask for their help. This includes my husband, members of the xxx creative community, and any curious onlookers. Any interruptions that come from the demands of motherhood will be perceived with grace and I will remember that my commitment in this current season ensures that there will always be a tomorrow to look forward to. I would like this residency to be similar to pregnancy. I will incubate and nurture a process that is reflective of my role as wife and mother, my neighborhood, and my community. I will invite God's Spirit and the strength and encouragement he brings. The goal by the end is to get my footing on a path to create a new body of work and to establish daily habits that make this possible.

7. Secure the resources you need: -Continue to ensure that the monthly savings for my artistic practice remain intact and prioritized.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: -Utilize nap times as work-time (all other house-tasks should happen when son is awake)
-Spend time outdoors to get reinvigorated (many interesting sights and textures both my son and I could enjoy)
-Request family outings to museums/libraries or other places with creative resources to feed my imagination
-Find a friend-accountability partner

8. Create a structure for your residency: My work will happen in my current studio space. Reflective time will happen in the mornings on the porch or in my room.

Start: 5/20/2019

End: 8/2/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 4

9. Create accountability for yourself: -Time card posted in the house that Levi (husband) will be able to see as well

10. Will you share the work you make?: -Will seek out artist friend to check in every two weeks.
-Share my work with xxx group in August

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am excited to to get to some new paintings as well as revisit some that never got completed. I have a great little studio and storage space set up so I can focus on art only tasks. I usually only get a few hours in the evenings to work without disruptions, and very much enjoy the alone time. Parenthood has definitely changed the way I am. Before becoming a mother I wasted a lot of time and time seemed to be in abundance. Now, I feel hyper productive (Most of the time). I know that little moments of free time are precious. I am much more organized with lists of things that can be done with the kids during the day and things I want to do during studio time. I have learned that having a time set aside for my creative practice is important. Certain household tasks can wait. I have also learn how essential living a creative life is to my mental well being.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Motivation when tired
Not getting enough sleep
Getting out to find inspiration

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1.Community
2.Courage to play/explore
3.Accountability
4.Experiences to get me inspired

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. People to engage with and discuss work
2. permission to make crap
3. a schedule or a person to follow up with
4. time spend out in nature

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to really dive into my work. Keeping a sketchbook, making studies and really experimenting with my work. I also, want to do some research as well as creating. I would like to learn more about my subject matter and get out in the world and just explore.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I want to be creating more consistently. I would like to have more source material for myself to work with (sketches, studies, etc.) rather than just jumping into a painting without any physical preparations and having to work out everything on the panel. I would like to have work that is only meant to be seen by me. Most of all I want to open up my practice to exploration, so that my creative process and work can progress where it needs to go.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I am going to dedicate time each week to make progress on my creative journey. I will do research to help my work, whether it be by reading books about my subject matter or getting out of the house with the kids to explore different environments. I will keep a sketchbook and make small studies along side my research, and I will be more open to change and exploration within my work. I will let go of having to make exactly what is in my head. I will let go of perfectionism. I will be kind to myself throughout this process. I will notice the little moments that bring me joy and not worry so much about the outcome.

7. Secure the resources you need: I have most of the resources needed, but will use the library for extra research. If necessary I will make a small series to sell in order to raise funds.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I would like to cut down on the time through out the day that is wasted/procrastinated. I am going to allow myself days to relax and do other things that I enjoy like watching tv, so that I am not tempted to do them on work days. I am also going to set time limits for myself so I am able to get the proper amount of sleep.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will be working from my studio.

Start: 2/1/2021

End: 4/30/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 8

9. Create accountability for yourself: I am going to be documenting my experience in a personal journal, and possibly my blog.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I think I will share some of my work. Since I want to really let loose and be free to explore, I don't want the pressure of people seeing what I make before I even start. I think I will show details of what I am working on during the residency as well as some progress shots, but will wait until after I'm done to share entire works. I will share details and progress through my blog and instagram and will share finished work on instagram and my website.

11. Community & Peers: At the moment I plan on doing this residency alone. I hope that sharing bits of my journey will help me to better connect with my online community that I currently have and maybe even add to it.

12. How might you begin?: I am going to begin by diving back into paintings that I have not yet finished.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I've got one and a half to two hours of concentrated work time during my baby's day-nap, and two hours in the evening after she has fallen asleep for the night. Also I get do do some practical tasks or activities while she's awake. This is my day plan for four days a week, Monday to Thursday. Friday nights I'd like do devote to my partner, just being us. If needed I can work Saturdays and Sundays while my partner is with the baby, father-and-daughter-time.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 1) Time management, how to make appointments with others when my baby's naps and other needs are unpredictable
2) Lack of sleep, I feel fatigued in the mornings when i've got few hours of sleep.
3) Feeling of stress and worries, the combination of working and being a full time mother sometimes feels like a conflict, I worry I wont get to do all that's needed and I worry working will make me fail as a mother in covering the baby's needs.
4) Deciding whether I going to work at home or at my studio: Working at home is the most efficient way to structure the day, the baby sleep easily in the bed, and I can start working the minute she has fallen asleep. BUT I also need to see other artists! I miss the community at my studio so I want to go there, but its hard for the baby to sleep there.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1) Enough time - I would like to work full time, but I also enjoy haven time with my daughter, conflict
2) Community, time at my studio
3) Sleep
4) Childcare

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1) I have found a compromise with my self: If I agree to work 50% I do have the 4 hours of work a day. If I have a deadline I can try to arrange for a baby-sitter on occasion. Maybe once a week?
2) I do have access to a community at my studio collective, but it’s difficult to get there. I need to find, or work out a way to incorporate that to me and the baby's life. For example after the nap the days we are not in open kindergarten if its nice for her to stay there a couple of hours when she's awake.
3) Plan to go to bed within ten o'clock
4) Need to get in touch with a good and trustworthy babysitter

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I want to explore the possibilities in this new situation and in my new role as mother and artist. I have an exhibition opening the 26th of May, I need to find new work methods in my everyday life to be able to produce works for the exhibition. And after May I would like to examine the first period and see how I can use the last month of the residency to develop as an artist.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I am confident in the role as mother and artist, and I have found a good rhythm for my work and being a mother. Planning days goes smoothly and I get to do what needs to be done. I continuously get to develop my works and myself as an artist.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will approach this residency with an open and adaptable mind in search for sufficient and productive work methods.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: At home, outside activities and at my studio when its possible

Start: 2/11/2019

End: 8/11/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 18

9. Create accountability for yourself: Journal, written by hand, raw material
Website journal with photos

10. Will you share the work you make?: Exhibition at xxx Museum
At my website journal

11. Community & Peers: Maybe with my friend and colleague TBS if she starts after giving birth to her second child.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin on Monday by making a plan for the week.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I tend to work in bursts, thinking heavily and intensely on an idea for weeks or months, then diving into production for several hours or days with a clear creative vision. I work in my home. Our space is small but flexible. There is space to work, but not enough room to maintain a working space all the time. My child was born on March 31, 2030, two weeks after isolation began. The whole experience is heavily affecting.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Lack of childcare, working full time, very small living space, coming out of postpartum anxiety and depression.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Mainly just an area that can be left messy for a while. The biggest hurdle is having to pull everything out and put it away again. If I can’t work for long enough to let the paint dry, then I am unlikely to advance the work.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Secure a working space; in progress.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Communicate about works in progress.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: Finish two series of paintings and use them to look for gallery representation.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : The first series is called Les Grottes. It’s a series of 3-4 paintings about bonding with my child in isolation. Each piece is mixed media on cotton muslin, 40-inch square. I begin by tracing my infant daughters form on the muslin while she rolls or moves around, the gestures change as she is growing. Then, using those lines as a framework, I apply markings and color. I’m inspired by the marks of early humans on cave walls, especially one example in France of the outlined shape of a child’s hand next to an adult’s. The media I am using includes graphite, charcoal, ink, acrylic, turmeric and natural pigments, and occasional leavings of my infant daughter.

The second series is untitled currently, but it is an exploration of light and space, using hard edge flat forms to create three dimensional space. A piece is successful when it creates the effect of peering out of contained space into open air. Again the inspiration is isolation, but also longing and hope. Pieces are 12” square, acrylic on board. Aiming for a series of 5-9 pieces.

7. Secure the resources you need: Studiodirect, 4Culture, Artist Initiative

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Identify childcare in 3-4 hour blocks allowing for enough time to work and have the paint set. Find a new home with working space.

8. Create a structure for your residency: Home, current or new one.

Start: 1/31/2021

End: 7/31/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 4

9. Create accountability for yourself: A sketch journal and through social media posts on Instagram.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Post for sale on personal website and Saatchi. Look for gallery representation. Look for local places to show and sell (cafes, etc.)

11. Community & Peers: Mostly alone, but I want to use the experience to stay connected to other moms and parents who are also living in isolation.

12. How might you begin?: I just found out about ARIM, but had been creating this work through my maternity leave. Since going back to work, each series has slowed to a stall. Finding this was great inspiration to lean back in.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Between caring for my three young sons and teaching, I am able to work about 12 hours a week in my studio space! I am currently working on two bodies of work. One is a conceptual piece I am just beginning and I plan to complete it during my ARIM. It is specifically exploring being a mother to a 10-year-old. I am gathering data at bedtimes and translating this into a piece composed of 100 squares of mylar (representing 100 nights) which will be installed in a grid, like a quilt. This is the first conceptual piece I've ever made and it feels like a very meaningful way to engage with this season of my life where my firstborn is moving into new developmental stages.

The second body of work is a series of paintings on canvas or panel where I am also exploring motherhood, specifically the tendernesses, fragility, absurdity, and immersive nature of motherhood, using the wilderness and the figure together to address themes of temporality, beauty, and absorption. My early work, when my children were very tiny, were very small (as this is all I could complete) and very fragmented, often composed of disparate elements that reflected the chaos on the floors of our home. I also illustrated two children's books which was certainly inspired by having little ones who adore books.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: My husband is very helpful however he does work full time so I find myself still responsible daily for the household--cleaning, cooking, laundry, yardwork, and all these tasks take time. I need to be careful to block off studio time otherwise the days can slip by. I am also a teacher and have to block of time for preparation for my students and so it is easy for me to put studio time aside. Nobody is asking me to make art. Galleries are not calling. I do not have deadlines (except self-imposed ones) so being disciplined and protecting my studio time is up to me alone. I think the mental work of reminding myself that this is important work (to me) is a daily necessity.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Direction (in terms of my career trajectory)
Community (tricky with the pandemic)
Visibility
Training in how to photograph my art successfully
More accountability

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: I think I'd like to have a consultation with someone who might be able to look at my work, talk about what success means to me, and help me map out a plan of next steps. How can I begin building relationships with galleries during a pandemic? I would love some advice and support.

I think I need to be more intentional about having studio "visits" over zoom and sending out e-mails to artists and curators I admire. I live in a small village so do not have a local art community.

I'd love to find more opportunities to share my work and this just takes time, patience, and research.

I would love to either take a course or ask a friend who is a photographer to spend an afternoon with me teaching me how to use a camera to successfully photograph my pieces.

I have a friend and we check in with each other monthly and I think it would be smart to be specific about my weekly goal in terms of studio hours and then report each month to her if I've satisfied that goal. I have to be careful to hold on to these goals with open hands as interruptions occur, children get sick, etc., and suddenly days slip by and I haven't had an opportunity to make work.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: During my residency, which will last until the end of June, (five months), I would like to commit to 12 hours a week of studio time minimum. I would like to work on my conceptual piece, engaging more intentionally with the intersection of artist and mother. I'd like to complete both bodies of work and submit them to be considered for exhibitions before the end of the residency.

By entering into this conceptual work in a consistent way during this residency, daily gathering data, I am mindful that I have no previous experience with this type of work, This me feel very free and without limitations, which is exciting! I am hoping that this posture of taking risks and re-imagining what my practice could be will spill over into my more traditional practice of making paintings with pencil, watercolor and acrylic. I wonder how each body of work will inform the other, and how my lens as a mother will shift as well.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: By the time I finish this residency, I hope to have established rhythms of making that will transform the way I see myself as an artist and mother. I would like to feel in my bones the possibility and expansiveness that exists daily both in my studio and in my hope. I hope that my work will be more thoughtful, more well considered, more specific in terms of themes and identity, and more fluid. (A paradox.) I'd like to approach my work as voyages into the unknown, and give myself permission to be open and surprised, even if the work itself turns out to be unsuccessful.

Finally, in a practical sense, I'd love to have my work in more shows this year and feel like I'm participating in the diverse, wider conversation of contemporary Canadian Art.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : For the next five months I hope to build a practice that reflect my world with three sons, ages 5, 7, and 10, exploring unpredictability, fragility, beauty, obscurity, particularity, and imagination. May my roles as artist and mother inform one another and may I be open to the luminosity and strangeness of these intersections. I hope to bring this conversation to a wider audience and find meaningful voices there.

7. Secure the resources you need: Work on watercolor experiments between paintings or in the margins of my day that are small and saleable. Use the money made from these sales to take a short course in how to use a camera specifically for photographing work.

Begin to research grants and make some goals for grant applications.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I think I will do my best to block off an hour daily for chores and whatever I don't finish I can do later on while the kids are paying outside. I'd like to be really cautious about how I use my alone time so that it can be meaningful times of making and thinking.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in the studio Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for three hours a day. I will also spend Monday evenings doing art reading, writing, and research for about two hours.

Start: 2/1/2021

End: 6/24/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 12

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will write down my hours weekly in my planner and look back and celebrate my discipline! :)

10. Will you share the work you make?: I plan to share some of my work through Instagram and on my website. I'd also like to apply to shows in a more consistent way and look for opportunities to collaborate with and exhibit with others. Because I haven't been really clear about the themes of my work historically, it's been challenging to find my community. I feel excited about this new direction and incorporating content from my life as a mother in a more rigorous and tangible way.

11. Community & Peers: I have a dear friend with whom I will share this journey. She is an artist, too, and introduced me to this amazing Residency. I am looking forward to sharing this journey with her. We meet over Zoom once a month.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin on Monday morning! I will begin reviewing my notes about this residency, putting on some music, doing some drawings, and preparing my mylar squares for my conceptual piece exploring my relationship with my son, Sam.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I work during my baby's naps, and after she goes to sleep. I have a studio space at home for the first time, a bit more time for painting now that baby is sleeping through the night, and I'm currently not employed. Parenthood has changed my painting habits, when I was pregnant I switched from oil paints to acrylics to avoid fumes and started wearing gloves. Now that baby is here and taking her naps (!) I am finding more time to paint, although it is now in increments of time.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: No long work sessions unless I want to stay up very late at night
Don’t have great access to supplies, have to drive far or order online
I don’t have a lot of entries on my CV

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Long stretches of time
Help taking care of my baby!
Supplies (i.e. wood panels to paint on)

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: My husband can watch the baby for several hours on the weekend Either I will find someone local to make wood panels, or drive to get some, or order by mail

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Focus at least 4 hours a week on art making over a two month period

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I've been on a roll with my current series and would like to push it into new territory within the series

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : For the months of January and February 2021, I will work for a minimum of 4 hours per week on art making, continuing my series xxx. I will take advantage of my baby's nap and bed time to fit in painting time, and on weekends ask my husband for help watching her so I can have some longer stretches to paint. I plan to sketch more during this period, plan the paintings out more before diving in, I think this will help me get work done faster. My series xxx has a narrow focus at the moment in terms of color and theme and I'd like to slowly expand that into new territory.

7. Secure the resources you need: I have the resources I need, I just need to find a local wood panel maker!

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: This month I will put up some shelves on the wall and some screws to have places to dry paintings

8. Create a structure for your residency: In my home studio

Start: 1/1/2021

End: 2/28/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 4

9. Create accountability for yourself: I use Google Docs to keep track of my week, etc. I've told many friends about this program and they expect to see some progress shots on Instagram, etc.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes, on Instagram and my website

11. Community & Peers: Alone, with feedback from my artist friend and mentor, plus friends and family

12. How might you begin?: By preparing wood panels with muslin and gesso and painting some studies for bigger pieces

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am a full time practice-led PhD research student working on a project based on fashion and localism. My art practice is about mapping relationships connecting fashion and place by studying two locations in the city in detail. I have 28 hours of time a week to work independently while my daughter is at nursery or with my husband. I want to explore creative work that I can do while I'm with my daughter and if possible in some form of collaboration with her. At the moment I work either at my desk at home, out of the house when doing fieldwork and in the city for PhD meetings. I really enjoy the solo time and crave more of it but would like to find a way to think of my time with my daughter as a form of practice. Parenthood has meant I have a lot less time but has meant I'm much more focused with the time I have.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: - Too little time to work independently
- Inability to make work while I'm with my daughter or to envision what a practice could look like that happens in her company, in collaboration with parenthood
- Infrequency of long chunks of time to do time-consuming work

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : - I'm not sure. More childcare would be one solution but I'm looking to make use of my time differently and I'm not sure yet what would help with that - Joining a community of other practicing artists or researcher mums might help give me some ideas

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: - More childcare would require a lot more funding - One way to get this might be to use this process to think about how I can connect better to the other parents I know who are working through similar issues

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Embrace weekday parenting time and find ways to reflect on it as a practice, both a practice of parenting and a creative practice for us to do together

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I'd love to find a way to shape a loose and flexible practice that re-imagines me and my daughter as collaborators of an artistic practice that embraces our mother-daughter relationship and enriches both our creative needs. What might those roles look like and what would our working day be? I'd like to see this process documented and to no longer feel like I'm at war with the situation. I'd like to see how we could bring different themes, 'collaborators' and locations in to our residency. I'd like to have found a way to connect this mother-daughter practice to my design research practice.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Parenting is tough. Your time is not yours but it doesn't have to be a battle. This residency is about transforming some of 'parenting time' into 'collaboration time' between mother and daughter to form a new research team. To do this may require the parent to be far more flexible and child-like than is comfortable. It means learning from a child as much as the child learns from you. It means finding alternative ways to reflect and do research. New research methods will be developed, taking into account the skills and constraints of this research team. The team is equally matched in their desire to discover and understand the world, yet come at this task with drastically different sets of skills and experience. This will make collaboration an incredible challenge and a hugely creative act. It will perhaps require far more flexibility than normal research projects and definitely a generous sense of humour. It's aims and methods will have to be constantly adapting and its timeline made up as it goes. This project will definitely require mentors and collaborators -friends along the way to help keep the ideas and laughter flowing. The first step is to start a reflective journal. All else will snowball from there.

7. Secure the resources you need: I will get more hourly paid teaching work to get additional funds, do other bits of part time work. I love the idea of making a limited edition print or other art object so will look into that as well.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I'm interested in reconsidering the things I already have. Currently the time I spend on my own with my daughter during the week feels almost like lost time. I'm intent on re-orienting this time to be more beneficial for both of us. It's possible we could also do some childcare swapping with other mothers in a similar situation. We should definitely take the opportunity to travel to places outside the home as that where at least one half of the research team really wants to be. I would like to find a better way to make use of the talented and supportive friends I have.

8. Create a structure for your residency: Home, in the garden, in the city.

Start: 6/12/2018

End: 12/12/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 18

9. Create accountability for yourself: A physical notebook/sketchbook that both members of the research team can both draw in and a personal journal online using the app Momento.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes. It will be shared as a private exhibition for friends and family before Christmas or early next year. We will have a private view to celebrate. Possibly I'll put the work online on my website.

11. Community & Peers: Identified Collaborators. We'll use our meetings with these collaborators to check in about certain issues we're working on at the time.

12. How might you begin?: Day 1 will include a first reflection and a 'listening session' between the members of the research team to try to understand what each member could get out of the residency. This will also be an opportunity to think about where research interests overlap. Initial notes on methods will be made in the residency sketchbook. At the end of each day, a reflection and plan for the next day will be added.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Parenthood hasn’t affected my work until now beside the restricted time i can be in the studio before i have to pick up my son from daycare nursery. I lately have been kind of stuck with my body of work though especially about how to go on with my installation work which recently developed out of my usual painting work.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Stuck at home during social distancing due to covid19 spread in Germany. Daycare nursery closed so we have to look after son and cant really go to the studio.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Ideas how to work with the situation instead of against it. Sleep is essential so cant work at night but at least can try to work effectively or probably better do desk work (Blog, documentation) in son's naptime. I need Ideas how to make a body of work that is not the usual work which i would always do. Eg. 10 second drawings. Work with the little time in between.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time to think. Boredom (which is difficult with a demanding 2 year old). Experiments. Give up on the idea i can do my usual work. Idea: Talk to colleague artist who did same project two years ago, talk to other artists who are also mothers. Also take my vitamins.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Use time effectively. Work with different & childsafe material: crayons, papercuts, pencils and pastels, gouache/ink/watercolor. Photograph. Window colors. Clay? Try to find New ways of making a picture.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: My aim is not so much productivity but process oriented new work that i can continue focusing on when the situation calms down and i can return to the studio. New concept ideas on how to develop my Installation work would be so good. But trying something completely different is good as well.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Saving this one up for a little later.

7. Secure the resources you need: I will be applying for project funds to make a small printed documentation.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: If i could only get my partner to be more cooperative in childcare. To request babysitting from friends is not an option atm. At least he does cook for the 3 of us yay!

8. Create a structure for your residency: At home in the child/guest/hobby room. Luckily we have this spare room.

Start: 3/20/2020

End: 4/20/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 14

9. Create accountability for yourself: Public blog & instagram & write to artist colleagues to ask for their comment

10. Will you share the work you make?: Daily instagram Updates, weekly Blog posts, final printed documentation a few months later hopefully.

11. Community & Peers: Alone, but sometimes asking for advice from colleagues.

12. How might you begin?: Already started :) Thank you for putting me on the map! Just wanted to write these things down officially.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am a Professor of Art at Columbus State University and the mother of two children (ages 4 & 7). I am provided a studio at work, but have a difficult time finding time to spend in the studio. My "office" monopolizes my time when I am at work and I am continually running out the door without completing everything. I feel like I simply don't have time. Karate lessons, baseball practice, packing lunches etc. Every minute is accounted for; I simply must commit to a schedule and "clock into" the studio on a regular basis.

We just put up a faculty show and made six new works for the exhibit. I am making mixed media drawings that are echos of my family life and time constraints. I loved working and want to commit to making a body of work based off these six drawings.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 1. lack of time (full time career)
2. leaving work to pick kids up from school daycare (compresses my day)
3. admin responsibilities at the university
4. committee work
5. not saying no to new responsibilies
6. no free time on the weekend

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1. time in the studio
2. visibility
3. exhibition opportunities
4. time to apply for shows
5. funds to frame work
6. updated website

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. time in the studio = a schedule & follow through
2. visibility = I'm not even sure
3. exhibition opportunities = studio visits, but I don't have any real contact
4. time to apply for shows = a schedule & follow through
5. funds to frame work = apply for grants?
6. updated website = a schedule & follow through

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: 1. Set time aside weekly to work in the studio and explore new materials.
2. Apply to one show per month
3. Update website once per month
4. Start sharing my images on social media (something I NEVER do; I seem to only post images of my kids)
5. Possibly reach out to other artist-moms to create collaborative drawings in addition to my own work.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: After completing a one year residency I would like to have a new body of work that would allow me to apply for solo exhibition. Since having children I have only managed to apply for juried shows because I haven't had enough time to: 1) make enough new work 2) apply for anything other juried entry. It has been more than 8 years since I had any considerable amount of work shown which has left me feeling irrelevant.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will work in my studio three to six hours per week and will increase that time over the summer months. I will stop thinking that my work has to reflect perfection and will honestly respond to my life, time limitations, successes, and failures in an intuitive nature. I will not longer schedule meetings, accept meeting invitations, or consider myself "available" during designated studio hours. Rather I will schedule all meetings around my protected studio time. I will post "studio hours" and enter them into my Google Calendar. The only time I will allow myself to miss studio time is in the event of travel or illness. I plan to give myself the freedom to play and experiment. I will no longer approach my work as precious, I will broaden my ideas of my work and BE OPEN to new ways of making and creating.

Additionally, I will schedule time to apply to shows and work on my website every month.

7. Secure the resources you need: TIME! Schedule and follow-through!

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: My husband and best friend, will hold me responsible. My husband is rearranging his schedule to help accommodate my ARIM.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my studio and collect items and inspiration from home and life with the kids!

Start: 4/10/2018

End: 4/30/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 6

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will post on social media twice a week to track my studio progress and inspiration. I will use Google Calendar to track my hours honestly.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will share work on Instagram and Facebook while in progress. I will later apply for exhibit in a public forum.

11. Community & Peers: I plan to reach out to my artist-mom friends from around the country and start some collaborative pieces in addition to my solo work. We will communicate via mail and social media.

12. How might you begin?: 1. I am going to start by printing grounds for my mixed media work.
2. Write emails to my artist-mom friends to gauge interest in the collaborative work idea.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I'm just starting my artistic practice. I graduated from art studies last spring and until now, I didn't quite feel ready to begin my own practice. At the moment I try to cope with working at home (no studio yet), with a purpose of planning a solo exhibition. At the moment, I think that it's not so much the parenthood itself that affects me (I have a 7 years old son and I absolutely enjoy being with him), but the material side of life (how to survive as single mother and artist?).

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Mostly, the question of how to survive economically: I tend to leave my creative work as the last thing I do, even if I wish it was my priority. I suppose I lack courage at the moment, as it's the beginning of my practice.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time, space, solitude, but also some assistance or community/network to encourage me, to step out of the pattern which mostly consists of excuses such as "I can't work because..."..etc. I actually feel I could do more.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time: when my son is at school, it's ok, I can manage.
Space: at the moment I cannot afford a studio, so I would need some extra money for this.
Community or network: I feel I need some more people at my side, sometimes just to be with my son or to get inspired by people who have other kind of solutions, etc.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I'd like to a) get one room emptier to work there or b) get a studio somewhere nearby.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: After finishing the residency, I would like to be (at least) at the end of my solo exhibition and maybe some more exhibitions : currently I am at the beginning of the phase of ideas and experimenting. Also, I'd like to have my homepage done (I'm just starting to make it).

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I try to work every free moment that I have and make the creation my priority, when I am alone, so that it wouldn't affect my motherhood and vice versa. I empty one room for art purpose and work there until I get a studio of my own.

7. Secure the resources you need: I'll try to make an affordable edition of my paintings and make a fundraising event so that I can create a platform for the creative work to come.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I actually have a friend/collegue that I could appoint as a mentor; The most important part is to reorganize the space at home, so that I could work more every free moment.

8. Create a structure for your residency: At the moment I start working at home, until I'll get a studio of my own.

Start: 2/6/2020

End: 2/6/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: A personal journal and meetings with my mentor.

10. Will you share the work you make?: As soon as I get my residency started, I'll make preparations for my solo exhibition and try to get an appropriate space for it.

11. Community & Peers:

12. How might you begin?: I begin my residency by writing down main ideas on my personal journal and start experimenting physically with those ideas: painting and installations.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Motherhood has affected my working practice significantly. I had my first daughter in 2014, and that year I made my last piece of work and had my last show. I suffered from postpartum depression and severe exhaustion. I had my second child in 2016, and the pregnancy was very difficult. I did not suffer from postpartum depression the second time, but I found myself to be too overwhelmed with two toddlers to attempt to make art. Throughout these last 3 years, I have always kept a notebook that I write in and sketch my ideas for future art works. I have also slowly accumulated clay supplies, and made a space in my garage for a mini ceramic studio. In our office room, I have designated half the room for my indoor studio space with a work table. I have made a few functional pieces of ceramic, but they are still not fired. I have worked out an arrangement for childcare at least a few hours three days a week to start working on a project. I am going to start making functional ceramics, and ceramic jewelry. I eventually want to work on making my conceptual work, which consists of sculptures, installations and performance.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Most importantly, I need child care. I am sleep deprived. I could make something with my 4 year old, but not with a 20 month old or both around. I also need more studio space that is not in my home. Making my large scale or video performance pieces require expensive supplies that I can not afford.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : I need more time, childcare, and accountability. I feel if I had those things, then I could make something happen. I also want to show my work.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: For more time and childcare, I need to arrange a time with my family to watch the kids consistently during the week. For accountability, I need this artist residency in motherhood.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: During this residency, I would like to use the things from my daily life that have hindered me so far. For example, the lack of time, I could see how quickly In can make a sculpture in a small amount of time. I want to use the everyday mundane and document and turn it into a piece of art.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: After finishing the residency, I would like to have a schedule of dedicated studio time, and a new body of work based on my life experiences as a mother. I also, want a plan to start making the many projects I have sketched in my notebook over the last three years.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Before having children, I had no idea how my way of making art would change. I used to work long hours into the night, and I had money from a job to budget and work with. After having children, I found I could barely survive the day, let alone even think of making art. I suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety, along with sleep deprivation. I have overcome these things, and now feel that I am in a place to start making art again. Although, I still have two toddlers at home, I want to use this artist in residency in motherhood as a way to keep me accountable for working on my art. I have many ideas that I have been jotting down in my sketch book along the way. I have taken photographs as a way of documenting my experience in motherhood. I want to be able to work again using my limited time and my experiences in motherhood as a platform to work from instead of an excuse not to work. I am letting go of the expectation of unlimited time to work, and I am going to work with a limited budget, and see what happens. Instead of making large scale installations, I am going to try smaller works, photography, and explore the craft of my materials.

7. Secure the resources you need: I am getting a part time job to help pay bills, and I can use the money to help get more supplies as needed. I found a kiln for $100 at an estate sale, and I found a wheel online for $50. I have clay and glazes and my old tools to explore the craft side of things. The material to make my prosthetics and sculptures, and camera equipment cost much more than I have right now. I will be saving up for these things.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I have made a studio space in my house, and I have gathered supplies to use. I am going to ask a friend to help be accountable. I am going to work with what time I have, because I have no choice.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work in my studio space at home. Three days a week for 2 hours in the morning. Three days a week for 2 hours at night.

Start: 2/5/2018

End: 2/5/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 12

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will use a combination of a personal document and peers.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will apply to shows. I will post on Instagram.

11. Community & Peers: Alone.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin on Monday.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: The last group show I participated in was in Sept 2015, the month my first son was born. My primary medium is oil paintings. Since having my son, I haven't had much time to work, plus we had to give up my studio room space, for my step son's room. So I have moved my easel to a tiny 3 ft by 3 ft landing near the attic. It's not ideal at all. I was slowly working on oil paintings in my little space, until my daughter was born 3 months ago. I haven't done anything creative in 3 months.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I have two babies under two years old. I have no time. My husband works full time, plus his 13 yr old son is here most of the time, so he's busy with him. My husband was recently diagonsed with prostate cancer so he's undergoing treatment right now. He doesn't have much time or energy to spell me off from the kids. My whole family lives in canada, so I have no support here, no babysitters. My husband is an only child with some relatives who live out of town, and his Mom is out of town. We are on an island here. I'm on a one year maternity leave, so I have no income, so we can't afford to pay for much help for me with babysitting.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time. Money to pay for a babysitter to watch the kids so I can work on art. Space. I'd like us to move out to the suburbs, to a bigger, cheaper place, but my husband doesn't want to. He's attached to this neighborhood. I have plenty of ideas, and inspiration and projects I want to work on, just no time or space to do it.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. Some kind of childcare
2. Money
3. I'm not sure how to get space.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I want to start working on smaller, easier, quicker projects. Change mediums. I have a BFA major painting/drawing. My all time love is oil painting but it takes a while to set up, clean up, and it's bad chemicals. I stopped by the art store the other day and got a small monoprint set. I'm thinking of changing my style a bit. I normally do very realistic looking artwork. I'd like to do plenty of 'study' type works of art, improve my drawing skills. Let go of doing such 'tight' precise realistic work and learn more of a loose, free technique.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I'd like to have improved my drawing skills, and changed to a more abstract, less realistic style of work. I'd love to exhibit my work more, have people buy my work!

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I'm too tired to currently write a good manifesto. And my 3 month old is waking up and needs to be fed. My toddler is talking to himself in his bed and not going down for his nap. My two minutes of free time are over! lol. And I'm exhausted from being up with both of them last night. hahaha. No manifesto.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: On the ottoman in the living room. On the kitchen table, on a small desk I got for my son. At coffee shops nearby, on weekends when my husband can give me a break from the kids.

Start: 8/1/2017

End: 5/1/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 2

9. Create accountability for yourself: journal in google doc

10. Will you share the work you make?: I'd love to find a gallery space to show my work next summer! Or the following fall.

11. Community & Peers:

12. How might you begin?: with the monoprint project I bought yesterday at the art store. It's an image of me breastfeeding.
Keep notes
write down all my ideas
take pictures, lots of pictures!

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: At the moment, from working full time before my first child, to half time four months after her arrival, I work two short days (around nine until half past two, when I collect the smaller daughter from playgroup) during term, and much not at all during holidays. Next September I'll gain a morning and lose one part of an afternoon, and then a year later the little one will go to school (great vistas of time, which probably aren't nearly as long as they seem, open up). Having the children has had a huge impact on my working practice, in several ways, both positive and negative. Firstly, once returned to work, it has necessarily restricted the time available. This has meant my ability to make a living has been massively reduced. However, I'm lucky enough in that the time I've spent looking after the girls has allowed the venture my partner started after being made redundant shortly after the birth of our littler one successful enough that we can get by, crossing our fingers. So the restriction on my time has become not altogether a negative thing, as it has meant I really have been free from any considerations of commerciality, or of getting together a whole solo show or anything like that, as it's just not been a possibility. Instead, I've been able to be much more adventurous, and free, albeit in a limited way, and this has led down some interesting avenues. The problem now is that I don't quite have the time to follow these things through as far as I might have liked. Apart from practical limitations of time, having the girls has also been a huge influence on what I think about, what I look at, and what feeds into my work: they are a great little anthropological study, and their eyes look in a way that mine hadn't done for a while. In addition the visual aspects of what they do within their play feeds into my work too, so both directly and indirectly, the experience being a mother affects what I produce, or try to. For example, I've done a series of drawings of small things that they collect on walks - twigs blown down during the storm last autumn, and one of the projects I am working on resulted from something that my daughter and her friend created in a sandpit, and what happened to it when we left it with the lid on in the sun for a few weeks.

I used to work from a studio at home, but when it became clear what a chaos monkey my little one is, I decided to move it to a new studio building down the road, which I've been lucky enough to be able to keep on, and which is a great space and place to have. There are 20 or so studios, but there isn't quite as much of a community as there might be as we all come and go a bit. I get a bit resentful if my children invade my studio - it's always a lovely idea, but in reality it can be tricky, as I have hitherto worked a lot with oils.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Really, life is good, and I think that having children has made me exponentially more efficient and also been hugely beneficial in other ways, however....
The two main problems are tiredness and concomitant lack of brainpower, and lack of time (and brainpower to apply when time is available).
Other issues include the the necessity of choosing between working or meeting other artists or seeing other people's work, and, on the rare occasions I do get out to meet other artists, being so tired that I'm unable to string a sentence together.
Illness knocking out work days, when those are anyhow few and far between is also a problem. My children are usually pretty healthy, but the last month has seen four episodes of sickness (one today, a day-long vomit-a-thon, she's currently dozing it off) and two tummy upsets, a lot of school missed, and my work time just vanishing.
Having to take time off entirely in the holidays (though this is also good).
Perhaps lack of idle time?
Ongoing tendonitis in both hands, and more recently a more severe injury after a thumb dislocation in my right hand which is limiting what I can do (big brushes feel bad!).

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Definitely more time, and more sleep.
My hands being better.
I have a mentor, but better progress so I have something to show him would be good. Because of my hand injury I still haven't done the things I wanted to do that we talked about when we met in January.
Seeing more of other peoples' work.
New and different experiences.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: A little more time to pass (three mornings a week next year, then school days in term time after that); my partner to take a bit more time out of work to look after the children. We're working on that.
Seeing the hand specialists and getting diagnostic scans done, then working on physio (may mean resting them from work while strengthening up, so may need to adjust what I'm working on) - appointment in early September.
Concentrating on what I really want to do, and not getting diverted when I do have the chance to work.
Making more trips to London and elsewhere to see exhibitions, either with or without the children. Perhaps with, initially.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Primarily, to learn to treat the time I have with the children as a help rather than a hindrance to my work, to learn from them. I'm always going to have to take a large amount of time off work in the school holidays, so I need to learn to utilise that time in a way that benefits us all. Otherwise, just to make a bit more of a concerted effort to do the things that I'm already doing: to get the studio time, to go and see exhibitions, to meet other artists, be they those with small children or not.

I recently went to a really good day's seminar, which was aimed at developing a guide for artist parents, which is how I found out about the artist residency in motherhood. I love the idea of turning the life changing and wonderful experiences and challenges that motherhood presents you with into something positive in terms of my work, and have become much more aware of how my children's presence in my life and what they do already feeds into my practice. I'd just like to take this a step further before my younger daughter starts school.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: After the residency I would like to have a developed a different way of combining motherhood and work, an ability to be able to combine the two in a more productive way. I hope to have garnered a few more ideas to carry forward in the studio from playing and making with the girls on holiday, and taken my work in new and interesting directions. I hope also to have engaged with a new community and audience through recording work that I make online, and perhaps taking it into gallery spaces, and that this might also be beneficial - hitherto I've largely been a pretty straightforward painter, but have always wanted to take my work into other areas when an idea demanded it, and I think now may be the moment to really go for that.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2010 changed many things in my life, and the arrival of child number two in 2013 cemented these shifts in the balance of life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as an artist. I find now that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavours. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this view. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but want to allow them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, constrained studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: I don't think I need to fundraise, not that I'm making much money at the moment, but I'm doing a lot of the childcare in exchange for benefiting from my partner's work going ok! I do like the idea of creating an affordable edition as an end-point to the residency, though, as part of the point of undertaking it is, for me, to change views of artists as parents.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I think at the moment, my practice as a painter, which is generally very time consuming and painstaking, is perhaps not the sort of work that best fits with my life. I'm currently doing a commission, so I have to continue with that, and I'll finish the things I've already started, but perhaps then I'll take a break, widen the scope of my practice and see where that takes me. I think a mentor would be great in terms of accountability, but as I'm a little far removed from things over the summer, that will have to wait until I am back home.

8. Create a structure for your residency: Over the holidays I will work largely with my children, out and about wherever we happen to be, whatever we happen to be doing, and I will try to adapt what we do to be a little more creative, which I think we will all enjoy. I'm packing a pile of nice materials for us to use on rainy days, and when the weather's good we'll be out and about seeing what we come across. I'll try to put aside a bit of studio time for myself as well. My partner is working an hour a day over the holidays, and I'll aim for the same in terms of studio time. After that, from September, I'll pull together what we come up with, and as well as carrying on with the same when we are all together, I'll do some studio based work on the days that my smaller one is at playgroup or, hopefully, with her dad (assuming his work hasn't got out of control).

Start: 8/4/2017

End: 12/31/2017

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will write a blog on my website

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will share the work both via my website and via instagram (which I haven't much used to this point), and twitter.

11. Community & Peers: I will undertake my residency alone, at least initially, as we are off away in Northern Ireland for our (hopefully working) holidays.

12. How might you begin?: By packing a big bag of materials to take with us when we go away, and then wandering, in the woods and on the beach, and seeing where we end up.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I explore deconstruction of book form in my motherhood journals. I am able to work short spurts of time currently. It takes place in journals. I have several placed around. I am writing about Tilley's observations and interactions with her world. I doodle and sketch as I can. I began an MFA application a year ago and organized myself through its questions. However, I just found out last week I was not accepted. Merging artist and mother identities was the focus of my thesis proposal. The impact of my work taking a backseat to motherhood has impacted me incredibly. I feel stunted and off balance mentally.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: My partner could not support my need for change in environment and schedule to allow me more work time and closer proximity to community. My daughter and I have left and are currently in a temporary living situation. I will be starting a full time job soon and my daughter will be starting childcare. This is the first time in our relationship where we will be separated.
Priorities
Create income
Find a home
Make a studio for me
Make a studio for Tilley
Develop routines together and individually to make work
Treat it as a professional endeavor rather than a hobby

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : I need to allow myself to take my work seriously. Right now with so many essential needs surfacing, unfortunately my art practice does not seem like a viable priority. There are parts of me interested in getting on the road for an experience. However, we have no money. I am encouraged right now to stabilize. I have never been a full time job type of person. I have been pursuing my art career since 2005. The idea that I will be ok to settle into a "9-5" job is absurd to me. I know myself. I need to make money outside of the conventional job format. Or, if I must take a job, I have got to figure out how to make it work as I pursue my art practice as well.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time and community. I believe I need to build up myself to realize my dream of a sustainable art practice. This looks like time for making connections with others who take me seriously. It looks like time, once again, to work on my ideas.
I have a job interview as a preschool teacher where my daughter will also be able to go. It can work, yet, I need to be emotionally stable to maintain the job. So, once again, it comes down to supportive community, and time to build that community. Also, travel helps me. I really want time to find opportunities for travel.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I picture structure playing a big role during residency. I need to establish a practice and not just a dream in my head that I am not actually pursuing. I want to self reflect rather than just keep my head above water. I want to be intentional and accept all methods and forms of expression right now. I do not want to shelf my artist life any longer.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I want my residency to get me back to taking myself seriously as an artist. I want to organize myself in a way that will prepare me to apply for an MFA program again in another eight months. I want to develop a model of lifestyle that merges motherhood, art practice and potential homeschool (wildschool). I want to explore a plan of residencies that will nourish my daughter's development as much as it will feed my own artistic development. In this residency, I want to explore what I would do. I want to develop a practice of "kids books" transitioning from deconstruction of book form mode towards "xxx tales" . These would look like more traditional picture books that effectively communicate her beautiful development. I want to move my focus away from my chaos and trauma of powerlessness and post partum depression experience towards the life giving experience of motherhood.

7. Secure the resources you need: Seth Clark's approach is interesting. I definitely realize I may have some patrons who have followed me on social media over the years. I need to structure asking for support in a professional way. I believe it would be there, however, if I asked for it. I have a lot of inventory from past work. I have begun to repurpose some as it has some cathartic attributes to that process. But, I also recognize it is potential income. I need to figure out a way to sell it but not get stuck in old work.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: As we are moving to a new place now, I picture setting up art studio space for both myself and xxx. I also imagine using storage to bring in minimal items. I want to try being "project-minded as I move things in.

How many hours a week will you work?: 5

9. Create accountability for yourself: I want to find a mentor. I will keep a log of time. Id like to make my process transparent on social media.

10. Will you share the work you make?: yes. Anything I make will be posted. Definitely on my facebook artist page and my instagram. Maybe restructure my website?

11. Community & Peers: Good question. I can think of a few artists I can reach out to initially. An "inner circle" There are also a few local artists I can invite in as well.

12. How might you begin?: Today I will talk to xxx. I will begin to formulate this, breathe life into this a little bit every day. I will not wait until we are in a new home, but rather start today as we are in transition. I believe considering this component will help us choose the most fitting place to relocate. So, I will accept how it looks right now. I will let go of the " refined" finished pieces I imagine. I will cling to my journal documentations and devote daily time to it. I will continue to make art with xxx, writing down her ideas as she shares them. And I will think about and talk to peers about best way to format my call to community (fundraising, work sharing,etc)

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I generally work during my baby's naptime, and so am working probably 4-6 hours a day. I work on my computer or (if working traditionally) on my desk or the floor, if the piece is too large. I feel that the focus of my work is rather fragmented, not because of my motherhood, but because I am interested in too many things. I have a webcomic that I update once a week, I paint watercolor commissions (and would like to sell my original paintings), and I do digital illustration commissions. In order to make any of these flourish, I probably need to focus on one and let the others diminish. Motherhood has not largely affected my work yet, except to force me to focus and get more done in the 1-2 hour increments that I have while she is sleeping.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: More time would be nice, but more than that is lack of focus/purpose, and not knowing what to do with my art once it's finished. I don't have much of a following, and haven't done a good job building one through an email list or blog. (Posting to FB probably doesn't count, since business pages don't get seen as much as they should.) Resources are another problem; the reason I pursue digital so much is partially because it's free, while traditional costs money for materials - and then, once the project is done, I have to store the pieces somewhere until the (hopefully, but often never) sell. My own fear of the unknown/not knowing what to do or where to start stops me in many ways; not knowing how to market, not being comfortable selling myself, not knowing what market I fit into or who my ideal client would be, being too overwhelmed/scared by the idea of submitting to a gallery to even try, etc.

Difficulties:
1. Lack of focus/purpose
2. marketing/building following
3. money (for materials, and also the pressure of needing to make money keeps me from exploring/experimenting and stuck on doing commission work)

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : I probably do need more accountability. IG pods help when they're actually doing what they're supposed to be. I should find a group of local artists who want to get together, esp mom artists. Having direction/focus/purpose is a big one that I need, as well as getting my work out there - Visibility. I need to figure out what problem my product solves. My book illustrations solve the need for an illustrator. My commissions solve the need for a gift. My comic solves my own need/desire to tell a story, and other's desire to read one. If I want to pursue traditional art, am I wanting to make art that will just be decoration? Or am I trying to say something with my work as well?

Needs:
1. A PLAN
2. Accountability
3. Possibly some training in art business/marketing
4. Visibility (so I can actually start SELLING)

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Plan: just need to figure out what I want to do and start doing it
Marketing/Following: make it part of PLAN. Start blogging, sending out mailings, posting to every social media you can, etc
Money: Track how much is going into your 'art budget', and use that money to buy supplies for projects (like 100 day project)
Accountability: keep up with your online art friends, but also find local mom artists who need this as much as you do. Have monthly meetings?
Visibility: also make it part of your plan. Make a body of work and submit to galleries. Stop being a chicken. Learn how to do a Patreon drive. Learn about Kickstarter. Promote your work!

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I'm not sure what this question means. I want to use this to give myself a purpose and a focus.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have leveled up my skill, but more importantly, I'd like to have leveled up my way of thinking about my art. I want to function as a business, with a plan, knowing what I'm doing, why I'm working on, where it's going, what I'm going to do with it, etc. I'd like to plan ahead for sales and holidays, to know what art fairs/markets are around, to get myself out there. I'd like to have a cohesive body of work that allows me to stretch and grow while also being ABOUT something, instead of just random interests that I have.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2017 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I and others think about my career as an artist. I find now that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetrate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

During this residency, I will create a business plan to give my work direction and focus. I will explore new themes in both traditional and digital media, and will be intentional in marketing and sharing these collections. I will seek out other artist-mothers such as myself who would like accountability and a plan to focus on during this transition time in our lives.

I will use my motherhood as both an inspiration for new works, as well as a plumb-line to keep my work going in the right direction, without extras that I have no time for. I will let go of the expectation that I must sell my art in order for it to be worthwhile, and will allow myself to experiment and build up a body of work, both to potentially sell or show, but also to grow my abilities and myself.

7. Secure the resources you need: I will use any extra money that goes into my 'art budget' to buy art materials. If no money is available, I will hold a Spring Cleaning Sale and offer highly reduced prices to clear out my inventory and allow for new work. I will also work digitally and offer prints through Etsy/Printful.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I will get in contact with other Creative Mothers, and work out a way to keep accountable (whether through personal meetings, a fb group, ig pod, etc). If needed, I can have my parents babysit once in a while, as well as trading babysitting with other non-artist friends.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will continue to work from home, unless meeting up with other artists to co-work.

Start: 1/8/2018

End: 12/1/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will continue to work 9-5 (around naps) on my artwork in general, but will dedicate at least 2 hours every work day to focus on my Residency projects/planning. I will blog weekly about my experience/progress

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will share both in-progress and finished pieces on social media and my blog. Once several bodies of work are formed, I will approach galleries.

11. Community & Peers: I will undertake my residency alone if I cannot find anyone else to join me. I will search out artist-mothers in my surrounding area and try to build a creative community with them.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin my residency in January by creating my business plan, outlining what projects I want to focus on, and giving myself goals, as well as outlining the calendar year and being sure to take advantage of holidays for special events or sales. My first project will probably be something along the lines of a 100 Days Project, to build a body of work and get used to creating every day.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I currently make in collaboration with my five, three, and one year old {actually 11 month old} children for between two and four hours daily. We share an open studio space in our home and either work in collaborative or parallel ways. We are currently working with both digital and traditional media. In particular, my three-year-old has become interested in video work, so we are moving in that direction. Parenthood {and its lack as an infertility patient} have profoundly shaped my working practice. Infertility was my subject for more than two years as I documented my journey through the processes of IVF and adoption and within the landscape of loss. Since becoming a parent to living children in 2015, parenting has impacted every aspect of my professional and personal creative processes. The pandemic, and the experience of having a newborn inside of it, has intensified every single aspect of this initial impaction.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Time, sleep, lack of social and emotional supports, conflict and cohesion between my personal and professional lives! And, of course, the little fingers playing on this keyboard right now! I have been working full-time as an Art Education professor and a full-time parent, mostly without childcare. So, therefore I am juggling all of the children home with me. This has become an even more profound experience during the current pandemic, as my social support system has significantly weakened and even the small access that I had to childcare is gone. My two older children have been home with me without preschool since December 2019, when my infant son was born. His entire baby year was spent in quarantine and isolation. I lost access to the creative community of friends that has sustained me through my first iteration of parenting and I am struggling to rebuild both my sense of self and of belonging.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time, Space, Community of Peers, a Mentor, Accountability, Childcare, and always Sleep. Maybe a little bit more money and inspiration.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time: Childcare, a more realistic set of work/home expectations
Community: Time to pursue and to nurture meaningful social connections, virtually and in-person {when safe and possible}
Peers: For inspiration and for support, for practical advice and for dreaminess
A Mentor: Community
Accountability: Community
Childcare: I am not sure! I struggled to find childcare even before the pandemic and before having my children so close in age.
Sleep: A professional sleep coach
Money: I have applied for several grants, each of which were denied but I am still working. This is where community and mentor might help
Inspiration: All of the above

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to be accountable to community of women who could serve me as inspiring mentors and loving supports, and who encourage me to make, to share, and to have greater confidence in my creative abilities. I would like to actualize my artistic research agenda with a meaningful outcome at the end. I do currently have a book contract and a viable beginning of an arts-based business, so I am hopeful the residency would inspire me to begin to carve out time and to shape content for this work.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to be in a peaceful and sustainable work rhythm along with my children. I would like to be well on my way to completing my book project. I would like to diversify and strengthen my other primary project, xxx Art Studio, which is a parent/child collaborative co-education art program that I founded in 2018. The residency would ideally provide me a model to learn how to do that and a community of support and challenge.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I want to work with my children. I see our work as collaborative: As a shared life's work, a series of films and installations that we make together daily. A living document, a testimony to strength, to fragility, to vulnerability and an affront to containment and to shame. I see our shared artistic practice as bringing more presence and more intention to my parenting practice and the converse, too. My word for the year 2020 was "release," and I want to bring due this belated resolution through our shared work. I would love to explore new approaches to production, including video work and audio work. I would like to use the manifesto on the website, too. It is so inspiring to me!

7. Secure the resources you need: I have applied for several grants, and have begun to create and to see collaborative art kits for young children and their parents.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Yes! All of these ideas are what I exactly need to do! We have a daily rhythm {which includes studio time that currently revolves around my son's nursing schedule and the older children's homeschool schedule} but that could be revised. And, yes, I need to reappoint friends and colleagues as accountability trackers and mentors. I need to think more creatively about childcare arrangements, especially in our current situation. I would like to work 10 hours per week, 2 hours M-F AM/PM in our studio.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work at home in our shared studio.

Start: 1/1/2021

End: 12/31/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: An audio recorded daily document which will become a weekly podcast. Art kits will be made once or twice monthly. I generally post on my social media once or twice daily, M-F but could re-structure this as necessary.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Instagram, YouTube, podcast

11. Community & Peers: It will be alone to begin but with the hope that others will join over time and become co-collaborators and/or work with their own children.

12. How might you begin?: By making a public announcement and inviting others to join me. I will post in the group for parents and children that I created in 2017, The xxxxx xxxxx. This will be our theme for the upcoming year.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I work in my home studio and in a tiny sketchbook at my desk at the school where I teach. How has motherhood impacted my practice? What was already a compartmentalized practice because I work full time became even smaller. Naps, rare evenings because tired/work comes home with the email...
That said this has been one of my best years yet. A two shows last summer, followed by a big commission and a group show that got some traction in a larger market and good social media buzz. I'm making the most of my time and feel like I'm finally coming out of the fog of early motherhood since the little is now five.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: See above.
time
energy to commit the time after all the other work/family demands
small studio

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : time
I'd like a bigger community- xxx is cliquy. Although that's BS and really if the work is good right? And you have to make the work. I'd love to have more time to work with clay- I'm lucky I can- but it's not in a place I can set up and leave my mess around right? community- that's great online- but is that enough? Is it REAL enough.
time
bigger studio
with a wall to look at art and space for xxx to be and play in there too
some real life community that's separate from work.
people in my studio-feedback

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: time- I'd need childcare on breaks. Bigger Studio- negotiation with the MR. who's also an artist and has the bigger studio in our current house (after I did for 12y in the last house) Perhaps big shifting in the arrangement upstairs.
Community- I'd need to reach out- AND have the time to give and give back. It's exhausting.
People in my studio- this seems like low hanging fruit- invite them in.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I'd like to make more of an effort to build community and take a good hard look at making my tiny studio really work for me.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I feel like there's some momentum happening right now. I don't want to plateau- I want to keep climbing.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : See above.

7. Secure the resources you need: Clean out the damn studio. Focus this summer and use my time at camp.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I feel like this is a strength of mine. Focus and accountability- do it self!

8. Create a structure for your residency: Home studio. Desk space. Anywhere I have my phone. Instagram is 100% a part of my practice.

Start: 4/5/2017

End: 9/4/2017

How many hours a week will you work?: 15

9. Create accountability for yourself: #artistresidencyinmotherhood

10. Will you share the work you make?: absolutely.
Online and in future exhibitions.

11. Community & Peers: I'm hoping to get xxx and xxx on board.
Plus I'm hoping that hashtag gets me on a community bandwagon.

12. How might you begin?: now

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: The one project I'm able to keep up with is something I started previously, daily plant drawings, though they aren’t exactly daily anymore. I’ve been making watercolors in 10-minute sittings of dead flowers (because the flowers die before I have a chance to draw them). Taking care of a newborn has changed my practice in surprising ways - because I don't have large blocks of time, work is done in very short increments. My attention span allows one or 2 sittings at the most for any particular piece. I no longer have time to work on ceramics due to the lengthy process/clean-up, and that is something I miss terribly.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: a. I am responsible for the 3 month old 24 hours a day b. None of my friends have babies so I feel isolated

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : a. Time (a babysitter and/or someone to come clean the house and cook for me) b. Community/mentorship c. Visibility

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: a. Money b. Connection with other artist moms and working artists c. A studio visit with a curator

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to spend more time thinking and researching and writing and even allowing myself to use the time to meditate or exercise; exploring without necessarily producing. I find that because my studio time is so limited, I pressure myself to “make” something tangible every time I have the chance. I would like to let go of that need and allow my creative process to develop more organically, even if more slowly because of my circumstances.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to “catch up” on some of the projects I started while I was pregnant, and I would like to make a book and/or exhibition of those things: 40 ceramic vessels, 40 ceramic ocarinas and a melody with them, fruit watercolors, and I would like to update my website and write a “statement” which will mean I need to write and research more than I am currently doing.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : During this residency, I would like to embrace my lack of sleep and time rather than fight it, and to find new ways of working. I would like to find a way to work with ceramics that works with my new time constraints; let go of work that needs long studio hours and explore quick little pieces instead. I’ll find someone to hold the baby for a few hours a few days a week so that I can work in the studio and feed him as needed. My new identity as a mother may or may not inform the subject matter of my work, but the structure of my days definitely will. I will let go of “producing” every time I’m in the studio and allow myself to read and write and take things slowly.

7. Secure the resources you need: Selling zine for babysitting funds
Studio sale of old work (clean out flat file)
Pre-sell ceramics and drawings

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Trade with friends for childcare, ask parents to visit more often to hold the baby.

8. Create a structure for your residency: – In my home studio (garage and back shed) at least 3 afternoons a week
– Admin and drawing at the coffee shop during morning nap (10-11 am approx.) daily

Start: 11/27/2017

End: 4/30/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: Keep a personal journal and make a zine/publication at the end. Let xxx know what I'm doing and ask if she'll be a mentor.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Posted to instagram, archived on website
Sketchbook/journal zine

11. Community & Peers: I would like to connect to other mothers also doing the residency.

12. How might you begin?: By finally finishing this form and sending it in! To start with finishing the series of watercolors I’ve been working on this month.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Collecting ideas, having concrete plans, which skills to develope. Dreaming of being a professionel artist exhibiting, selling, working as a mural artist

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Kids - no time at all.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time, Community, sleep, Training on spraypaint and acrylics, visibility (later on)

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time - a nanny, effektivere Organisation
Community - time to connect, knowing where to start
spraypaint technique - a Teacher
visibility - a mentor

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Die Zeit mit beiden Kindern nutzen, um en passant Ideen und Material zu sammeln - Experimente zu machen

Set a certain and regular time slot in which i can work on my own

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: have Mastered the technique of spraypaint
Having created a first bunch of work to exhibit and sell
Be sure about the next steps

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : use the manifesto of the webpage

7. Secure the resources you need: take the money from your account
Fundraise if you need to. This could be applying for traditional art funding, or running an independent Kickstarter or Indigogo campaign. You might also take a creative approach; make an affordable edition and sell it to friends, family and colleagues, hold fundraising events, ask for donations, hold a garage sale, or sell shares in your career. Look at www.studiodirect.org for a great independent model of contemporary patronage

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: eliminate tasks to create more time
which friend could be mentor?
Trade a friend with childcare ?
Establish space more as a studio - Studiospace Sign / Opening hours on the window / Use living room window as exhibition space, Schreibtisch räumlich abtrennen

8. Create a structure for your residency: Schreibtisch oben, evtl. Anbau, Garage, evtl. Efeu entfernen,

Start: 2/15/2021

End: 10/30/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 7

9. Create accountability for yourself: Personal journal, Calendar (print, hang and fill)

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes, Insta

11. Community & Peers: Start alone, eventually connect to other graffiti wirters, painters in person, when corona allows - connections

12. How might you begin?: prepare calendar and shelf.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I'm a photographer and have just spent the past 2 years at home with my daughter. She's starting kindergarten next week, so I'm hoping I will finally have some time to focus on my artistic work a bit better, I have a lot of ideas all the time but find it hard to execute them and develop one body of work. I still also have to work for money and have a part-time job now for an arts organisation, but at least for now it will not take much of my time. I have made some new work last year and did quite well with it, but feel they have been small project rather than an actual part of my artistic practice. I'm currently working on two different ideas, one has to do with the time spent with my daughter and the experiences and observations that comes with it, the other with the rapid change happening in my hometown in Finland. It's about nostalgia, memories and preserving something that might be disappearing soon.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I have been almost 24/7 with my daughter since she was born, with a few exceptions (I recently spent a week alone, hooray!), and I find it hard to find the time to stop and focus on my creative work. I never have enough time and when I finally have it I'm too tired or then I feel guilty over all the other undone chores I have.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time alone for sure. Inspiration and change. A mentor or peer group wouldn't be too bad either and someone or something pushing me forward. Deadlines.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: I hope more time will come when my daughter is in kindergarten next week. I have applied for an internal mentoring program organised by the local photographic artists association, so hopefully this will give me the mentoring and push needed. Peers and the deadline can maybe come from signing up to this?

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Focus more on my artistic work and less on everything else.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to focus on and develop a body of work, or at least start a body of work. Now it feels like I just have ideas, but none of them develop fully.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I have ideas for work directly relating to parenthood or that have developed from the change of mind that comes with parenthood. I believe being a parent can be a great source of inspiration and change of thought, especially if artists get supported in this important phase of life.

7. Secure the resources you need: There's quite a lot of grants to apply for in Finland, but they are often for big sums of money and you need to be quite specific. Like I said, I would like to develop focus on and develop a new body of work and having a clearer idea of what I work on will also make it easier to get funding. I have a few prints in a "art library" and an agency is also selling the rights of some of my images for commercial use, so I could also offer both a few more pictures.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: From home, my husband's office (when he's not there) and the public library

Start: 1/1/2020

End: 12/31/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 8

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will try to keep a journal more regularly and keep my Instagram up to date.

10. Will you share the work you make?: On instagram and hopefully with peers. If it's good enough I will apply for exhibitions

11. Community & Peers: I hope I will find others to share my experience with. I do have artist friends, but most of them are childless, so finding someone who truly understands is more challenging. I will also try to keep in touch better with my artist friends (whom I mostly know from over 10 years ago when we studied together) and actually talk about work with them when we meet.

12. How might you begin?: By signing up to this.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am currently struggling to find any time to put into my creative practice. I work 3 days a week, during which time my children (twins, 3 years old) go to nursery, I then sit at a desk until they come home. The rest of the week I am with my children. Our parents live 400 miles away so additional childcare is not regular. I grab the odd afternoon here and there to spend a few hours in the print studio/darkroom. It's not going well at present. I'm not really completing anything, but I do have ideas... just not the time to complete the thought/exercise. It's very bitty. I started a project a year ago which I am keen to resolve with some final prints (mixed media) it explores the Outer Hebridean island of South Uist through archive images and my own, touching on the militarisation of the island and knitting.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Lack of regular child free time
Erratic timetable due to partner's work and my shifting (paid) work priorities and workload - can be stressful.
Tiredness by end of day.
Access to facilities to make work varies - e.g. no access Sunday/Monday which is when my partner could take them.
Establishing a sustained line of enquiry - interrupted thought process, competing distractions, children, partner, work
Isolation from peers/group of makers.
Inability to attend events in evenings - discussions, groups through tiredness.
Baby number three expected in March. Impact?

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time
I have space
Community
Solitude
A mentor would be great
More childcare
Visibility could be better
New experiences would also be wonderful but unlikely as very rooted to current location

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time - more childcare, feel guilty though
I have space
Community - get out more, socialise, social media? I hate social media
Solitude - childcare, partner support
A mentor would be great - could contact a few people....
More childcare - money
Visibility could be better - business cards, website, logo, signage, opening hours, mentor - these could all work!
New experiences would also be wonderful but unlikely as very rooted to current location - via new peers, contacts?

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Set time aside to make creative work/respond creatively.
Value the work I do create during this period.
Value and explicitly acknowledge what it is like to work creatively within this changed landscape

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have achieved a reflective and longitudinal study of work produced under a very specific set of circumstances that will not apply forever.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : To work in a way that embraces and acknowledges the changes parenting brings to your creative work. To value what I produce and when ready share the work.

7. Secure the resources you need: No ideas as yet, just getting started.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: We have spare rooms in our house that could be used.
Change routine - I could get up earlier/go to bed later but... Wish I could give up work - no luck there.
Allotment takes time but that's my little sanctuary.
Could collaborate with peer group, I've been asked to join but never managed to make it along.

8. Create a structure for your residency: To begin with I will work from my home studio and the 2 local photo studios

Start: 1/9/2019

End: 1/9/2024

How many hours a week will you work?: 3

9. Create accountability for yourself: A website, I'd say a blog but I'm a bit useless at updating them. I could look for mentor and I have a friend in Canada who told me about the residency that I could work with.

10. Will you share the work you make?: 
Via website.
Speak about it at work (arts sector/education)
Friends.

11. Community & Peers: Alone to being with but my intention is to grow it, I find it hard to get going with things but know that group support would help, I struggle to get along to physical meetings.

12. How might you begin?: Reviewing the work that came out of the other residency that remains unresolved, including some collage work and 3 x videos. I am yet to learn how to edit video and this has been a big stumbling block. I also have the Hebridean work that I need to continue working on.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am just turning back to a true art practice... After two years of mothering and running a business, which were both great departures from my previous iterations of life as an artist in New York City, I finally have a studio again. I just moved in. The space feels ripe and full yet also scarily blank and big. What will I do in there? How do I get started? In many ways I feel like I've lost my artist identity, and the studio space represents not only the time and financial commitment to be making art in there but also a reclaiming of my sense of self as "artist". I have many project ideas but don't want to get ahead of myself by creating too many grand expectations which may prove unrealistic. I want to step gently into this return to self. I want to cultivate patience with myself and hold my ideas lightly.

Becoming a parent essentially coincided with starting a business and moving in with my partner, leaving New York City behind full time, all within a year. I stopped working at xxx and left the collaborative creative relationships I had in New York behind. While there was space for a studio of sorts in my new house with my partner, I never settled in well there; I've not been someone who works well at home, nor without privacy. When our daughter was born, the studio space became her room, essentially pushing me out of having any dedicated space. This didn't seem too important as I wasn't finding time for art anyway, with all spare moments going to work on our new business. We closed the business this winter and promptly bought an old house to renovate, which took up any time I may have acquired by closing the business. My daughter is now old enough, and has enough daycare hours, for me to regain some focus for myself.

As of now I have, realistically, two to three half days to spend in the new studio. I can work these into my set weekly schedule once I coordinate with my partner about household and parenting duties. It may be preferable to have two full days than spread out over three for lesser hours per day. I tend to be slow to get going; I need to dilly dally a bit before I find a rhythm for the day.

I am excited! My first project is one already in the works: creating several installations for a co-produced participatory event that a friend and I have already done two versions of in the past few years, as well as creating the scores that will populate an app that participants interact with at the event. This version of the event will take place on a rambling farm, inside the barns and filling interstitial spaces. I've solicited the work of several other artists as well.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: House renovation demands
Volunteer commitments
Lack of creative kinships locally
Brain fog (Lyme)
Back/hip injury that limits mobility (I'm accustomed to being hyper mobile, athletic, dancing, really in my body and attuned... which I'm not these days!) and time commitment of all the appointments that go into healing!

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : New experiences! The stimulation of intellectual dialogue that spurs ideas, and the stimulation of an urban environment (both mundane and specifically creative, ie museums, live music, performances, dance, etc)
Accountability
Direction
Community + deep kinship

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: New experiences and stimulation: Visit NYC. Long overdue! And start being freer in the evening now that my partner can put our young daughter to bed without me. Also reach out to artist friends elsewhere for conversation and sharing of work and ideas.
Accountability: Start attending a newly formed critique group. Line up my next showing.
Direction: Read more. Write more. Both of those things help me form coherency and direction.
Community + kinship: See first answer for bit about reconnecting with artist friends around the globe and second answer for growing sense of kinship locally with other artists. Also be bold to reach out to artists in Maine who do work more in line with mine than anybody I know more locally.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Have a disciplined / regular schedule in the studio.
Set production goals and reach them.
Better document my work!

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have enough work for a full show of my own, a mixed performance and visual experience. I would like to have enough work documented that I can start submitting applications for residencies, fellowships, and possible further education. Though I can't dictate how I feel, I would like to feel more confident in my sense of self as an artist again. Time in the studio and the production of work will, I imagine, give me the ground I need to not feel like an imposter, to feel like a legit artist again.

7. Secure the resources you need: I am very fortunate to have the financial resources I need for the foreseeable future.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work at my new studio at least two half days per week with a goal of increasing to two full days plus one half day by the end of the residency.

Start: 7/1/2019

End: 12/31/2019

How many hours a week will you work?: 12

9. Create accountability for yourself: I have blocks of time scheduled in my calendar, which tends to prompt me to show up.
I will also reference this form as a contract of sorts.
I will talk to artist friends about the projects I'm working on and request that they inquire about my progress.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will participate in my building's open studio evenings.
I will show several installations and possibly a performative piece
I will plan and execute a cohesive body of work for a solo show, and will find a venue to exhibit by summer 2020.
I will update my website accordingly.

11. Community & Peers: I'm undertaking this residency alone.

12. How might you begin?: I've already begun! I'm in the studio, working on my first big project.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: As a full-time professor applying for tenure in four months, with a 9-month old son, I've just entered summer; my most productive time of the year. With my son in day care and some other work obligations this summer, I will likely have 2-3 days a week where I can exclusively be in the studio, which is fortunately, in my home. I am excited about getting back in the studio, and in the last week, have managed to feel like myself again there after a 7-month period of almost no creative productivity. I am currently working on a series of quilts that explore social/political issues facing our country, particularly those that explore The American Dream, and am also working on an on-going series of collages entitled Matriarchs, about womanhood and motherhood. With that said, I am also looking for some new projects where I can be inspired by the daily on-goings of my life, and not feel the weight of having to make work "about" something meaningful. Parenthood, to this point, has prevented me from getting in the studio, but has allowed me to generate a lot of new ideas that I'd like the time and framework to explore.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 1. Lack of time
2. Work commitments
3. Exhaustion
4. Feeling compelled to only work in the studio when I have large blocks of time
5. An urge to check everything else off of the to-do list before getting in the studio
6. Living in a rural area, often unable to acquire the materials I need, when I need them
7. A studio space that needs to be redone

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1. A support system of other artists or a creative community to engage with on a frequent and immediate basis, as there are none near me
2. Accountability
3. Come August, I will need more time
4. Perhaps some new skill sets: Photography or Video might be interesting

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. Frequent trips or scheduled visits to artists in neighboring cities, and the time to drive there OR
Frequent studio visits from artists in neighboring cities to come to my home/studio
2. A Framework, Deadline or scheduled exhibition to present new work
3. A more strict schedule; I'd need to avoid spending 9-5 in my office on days that I don't teach, and spend more time in the studio, without feeling guilty for not being in my office
4. Some training in Photography or video editing software, or tutorials as to how I can use my iphone to do these things better than I am doing now.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I'd like to have a more regular, committed schedule. Having a residency will validate my studio practice, and will help me prioritize being in the studio when I so often leave it as the last thing I get to once everything else is taken care of. I only ever get in my studio when my schedule is completely clear. So having the structure of a residency will help me change my outlook on my studio practice, making it a commitment on my calendar rather than leaving my practice as the thing that gets put off due to other priorities or commitments.

I'd also like to use this to try new ways of working that are different than what I'd typically do. During the summer, I will likely continue working on an existing body of work, but I'd like the work made on this residency, particularly once the academic year starts, to function differently than the rest of my work; to embody my life as a working mother/artist, rather than to be "about" it, or "about" motherhood. I envision this work involving collections, analyses, data visualization, journaling, list-making, pattern-recognition and everyday materials and experiences, rather than generating new objects or works of their own accord.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have a series of new projects completed by the end of the residency that encapsulates what it’s like to exist, and succeed (or fail?) in a multitude of roles, simultaneously. I'd like to have another solo exhibition or two scheduled, and I'd like the work to be exhibited in one form or another. I'd like to have established a way to work my practice into my daily life, so that it doesn't get cast aside during the academic year. I'd also like to have gotten tenure.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Recognizing that for the next 14 months my son will still be quite young, I’ve made the decision to stay near my family and commit to creative production in the home, as opposed to enrolling in remote residency programs that would burden my family with my extended absence. By staying connected to my husband and son, I will prove to myself that creative production can occur, and will do so successfully, by changing my regiment, production schedule and previously established work patterns. These changes will include working in shorter, unscheduled and scheduled blocks of time, as well as dedicating, and scheduling larger blocks of time to my studio practice, free from guilt, even if that means the laundry doesn’t get folded or the dishwasher doesn’t get unloaded. By reaching out to artists in neighboring cities, and even students, for feedback on my work, as I need it, or in acquiring new skills, I will take this residency as an opportunity to bring an artistic community to me, and prevent myself from working in isolation, as I have done at home up to this point.

I will document my process on Instagram, as well as showcase the works on my website, once each work is completed.

7. Secure the resources you need: This academic year, I will apply for funds through Faculty Research Grants at my University to help fund travel expenses for me to visit artists in neighboring cities, as well as to help bring neighboring artists to my home studio. Depending on the quality of the work, I may decide to make an affordable book to help fund some studio improvements.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I am interested in finding other spaces, besides my studio, as sources of inspiration, so that I can work within them when continuing my roles and mother and wife. Perhaps part of what I document and become inspired by are the household chores, folding laundry in creative ways, rearranging the dishes in the cabinets, etc. I may be able to source for materials in the homes of my friends (fellow mothers?), and use our online community list-serve to find free materials that others need to get rid of. Perhaps I can even make work as I physically carry my son in his carrier, becoming aware of my body and how I physically experience the studio, and the world, with him as an extension of myself.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work at home, in my studio primarily, but will also use my phone and calendar to schedule studio work times. When I need a larger space, I will use the art studios at school. I will commit to keeping two full days a week where I do not schedule any other commitments, and will first transform regular errand-running/chore-doing into fodder for my Instagram feed, or other projects on those days if I have to engage in other tasks.

Start: 6/1/2017

End: 8/31/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 7

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will use Instagram to document my process and my website to display completed projects. I would like to schedule at least one studio visit a month with other artists to help keep me connected. I may also look into apps that keep time and would use graphs and charts to visualize how I’m using my time. I will set different goals for the summer and the academic year, whereby I will likely spend around 15 hours a week working in the summer, and no less than 7 hours a week during the academic year.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes, I will use Instagram for smaller, more immediate projects, like a blog or sketchbook, and will use my website for the presentation of more completed projects. I will update the Instagram feed as frequently as I need, to– likely daily, but the website will be updated more infrequently, once entire projects are completed. I will also use my Facebook page to present links to the completed projects. I will work toward an exhibition (or multiple exhibitions) of the works as well. I imagine as exhibitions are scheduled, I will present artist talks that address my work, and may potentially present the work at academic conferences.

11. Community & Peers: Primarily, this residency will be alone, but as I mentioned, I will work to make sure I’m connected to other artists at least once a month, or as often as I feel I need it. I know of a couple other artist/mothers who may be interested in creating a dialogue/supportive community, even though we do not live close to one another. I will commit to reaching out to them, and other artists, as I need them. In addition, I will engage more with my colleagues in my department for creative support, as needed.

12. How might you begin?: I will begin my Instagram feed today, and will talk to my family and friends about what I’m doing. I will start blocking out time in my calendar, and looking at my everyday routine as fodder for new work, as opposed to barriers that keep my away from my practice. I can already feel my mindset changing, and am looking forward to my “motherly” routine as a new source of inspiration.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I work 3 days a week, during the school hours, at the Studios. I have been thinking in terms of the political landscape, and I'm starting a flag series. Naturally, it has to relate to both today's politics and to Jasper Johns. I am quite excited by it. I am also keeping some larger works going. I am hopeful for more sales this year and hope to get representation (again) soon. I totally switched mediums for kids. I painted in resin before pregnancy, paused when I thought I could be pregnant, and started again each period. I had a solo show 8 months pregnant with my first boy, but searched for a better medium to use through pregnancy and nursing. I work a lot less than I did before, but the studio time is arguably more focused.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I have the job flexibility. If kids are sick, or a parent is needed to take the kids to the MLK March with school, it is my role. The rest of life gets in the way too. Even when I can be dedicated to all my studio days, plus my business time, I want to be at the studio 5 days a week. Part of me feels great about slowly working up to it, while part of me thinks I should just make it happen.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time. If I spent more days in the studio, when would we grocery shop, plan menus, and... that's all I care about really (the house can be cleaned later, but food needs to be put on the table).
Maybe childcare I want to be with my kids when they are home, but they are now at the age where they want to be playing with friends anyway. I do the morning's dishes and prepare for dinner when they come home to play. Visibility. That is what I really want. When the business side is going well, I feel justified in giving more time to art. My mentor died. I'd like a new one, but community may work instead.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. Visibility: I need time and connections. 2. Childcare: If the boys played after school at other people's houses 2 or 3 times a week instead of randomly, if it were planned and not so spontaneous, I could get more creative and business time during school, while shopping and dealing with the home front during their play time.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Be more at peace with how my time is spent. Be more present in each role. Parenting doesn't come into the studio an interruptive way, but the business side does. It's when I can gather my thoughts and remember things---did Jodie ever get back to me about my website? I need to post on Instagram.... etc. I think about art while at home.... Maybe I can make notes about whatever I think of instead of taking care of whatever I remember. I often do that, but then I have to look at those notes regularly and take care of them.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I feel like I've been on a good path for my studio work. This school year, I have tried to extend my hours, and have been ok at it. I also picked up teaching an art class, which derailed me a bit. I would like to feel that I have really succeeded at my time goals, and I would like to feel more confident in my business. By that, I mean, I would like to be more clear about the amount of time I spend on the computer and how I spend it. I would like more visibility and a gallery.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child 2007 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way others think about my career as an artist. I now find that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. I had one L.A. Gallery list a number of reasons parents can't be successful artists. They all sounded like reasonable arguments until you look further into them. On a big night for me, at the reception for a group show at a gallery I really respected, the well-meaning gallery assistant introduced me to some man, who "also does art on the side". in Most prestigious artist residencies, for example, specifically exclude families from attending. I have just excluded residencies from my plan since I have no interest in leaving my family for weeks or months at a time. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents, it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive. I don't believe or want to perpetuate this bias.

I create linocuts, but with the background of a painter. I carve words into linoleum and rubber, then hand pressing my work, I layer colors with different size blocks to create an abstract print. To create texture and to blend colors, I work wet into wet more than wet onto dry. I sometimes paint on the prints and etch into them as well, blurring the lines between printmaking and painting. Each can be mounted or framed. This kind of work lends itself very well to the interrupted life of a parent.

Since I carve each plate at a different time, every print combines thoughts from different moments. As a result, the text wouldn’t make sense as a narrative. The words are a medium to create color and line. What is legible or illegible is less important; for the most part, I intend the words to be a visual element rather than communicative.
Some are lyrics from my favorite bands, but most are about life—art, news, self, people, and time. My latest body of work was about the bias which artists who are parents face in the art world. It’s an issue linked to second-generation gender-bias and one rarely talked about. Book Forum opened the conversation about writers, but I'd like to help bring the subject out in the open for visual artists.

In art school, I heard that women's art is more fragmented than men's., and therefore, inferior. Having your art reflect your life is not a bad thing. Now, I’m embarking on taking this theme further into politics. Much of political art is hard to look at because the themes themselves are ugly. I’d like to further that genre, and contribute political art from which people don’t shy away, in a way that draws in the viewer, keeps her looking, and allows engagement.

I have been working with this subject for a couple years. I stopped hiding my motherhood, and used it in my statement. I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, school day studio time, limited movement and resources, and general upheaval that parenthood brings, and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than trying to work "despite it".

I can't seem to fit these questions in well, but I want to answer them.

How would I like to work and why? I would like to be more present in life. I want to take notes on thoughts that come free in the studio and tackle them later. I want to make quiche without forgetting the eggs because I'm thinking about art my career. I want to be present. I can allow all the thoughts to flow without taking care of them that moment. Having dedicated play day scheduling time would help me end the texts coming in while I'm at the studio.

I need a gallery and more support in the business to provoke my studio time. I make the time, but when the business side in congruent with the studio time, I feel more free to invest my time and money into my career. In this residency I will expand my community and will learn more about other people's business-studio balance in relation to family. I want to figure out how to better focus that business time to achieve my gallery and sales goals, and I hope to make good connections.

What does parenting bring to my work? An exaggerated drive to be in the studio. Extra focus when I'm there. I have that time, and only that time. The kids show up in my carvings--their handwork and their stories.

What expectations can I to let go of? There is a standard number of hours to be working. I am getting too old to be an emerging artist should should enter mid-career sometime soon. I can do everything all the time, including relax. My husband could suggest more ideas, but he thinks he'll get in trouble since I don't really let go of anything.

7. Secure the resources you need:

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I have thought about adding a book making table at home. I have thought about both book binding with art pages in my old studio and I have tried to set up a writing desk in my room. The latter didn't work because I always chose printmaking over writing, but it still swirls around in my mind. I tend to work the business side at home, if I have a little time, since the studio is in a collective.
Reiterating, I plan to schedule play dates at certain times for a couple times a week, out of the house, so I can add another studio day. To start with, I will do that and get more secure in my 3 studio day week.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will do studio work at the studio and business at home.

Start: 1/17/2017

End: 1/18/2017

How many hours a week will you work?: 20

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will start with a written log in a journal, and I will take some of that into social media. I like the idea of a mentor, as I lost mine, but I want to see how I do with this community first.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes-- Instagram, Facebook, my website, and art shows

11. Community & Peers: I am doing it alone, but I know xxx. I have a community art the studios, but it isn't all it started out as. I would like to get on Facebook and get in touch with this Residency community. My 2 best mommy/artist mentors friends-- xxx died, and xxx moved away, but I still email her. I know a couple other locals I should get back in touch with.

12. How might you begin?: By finishing these questions and continuing studio work--I already have :)

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I'm working on a body of work that explores personal narratives around feminism, motherhood, post-natal depression, domesticity, identity, value, and hope and hopelessness. I've been using mainly textiles to create works including quilt-making, embroidery, and making badges, pins and awards using crafting materials.
I love what I'm making at the moment, I have so many creative ideas that I want to explore. I'm loving how there seems to be a good balance of humour and sadness in my work.

I work at home, I have a studio at home, but it doesn't seem to be working for me at the moment. I hardly ever go in there. I'm more likely to grab stuff out of the studio and sit in the lounge or in bed and make. Things to think about: Why don't I use my studio? How could I make it more user friendly for myself? I am able to work Monday to Friday while my 2 year old is at Kindy and 1 year old is napping in the morning - usually around 1 to 2 hours. So, around a total of 5 hours a week. I could also do an hour each evening after the kids are in bed. Parenthood has affected every aspect of my life and my art practice. I feel like it's created more meaning in my work. But it's also made making stuff more difficult on a practical level. I don't have a lot of time to make work, but I have more time to think about my work and develop ideas in my head - like during walks to and from kindy while pushing the pram I'm constantly thinking about my practice.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Studio Room. Babies are always home and want to come in. Dangerous stuff for them to touch. It's cold. It's not comfortable like the lounge or bed. Baby can climb out the window.

Time to make.
Time to research.
Structure to my research.

Being able to stop cleaning or doing the house chores so I have time to create. Wanting to get all the household stuff done before I start working on my practice.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time - a little bit more time without both of the kids.
Childcare? Need to make my studio a better space for me and the kids. Accountability buddy.

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Time - one whole day a week to work on my practice uninterrupted. Need to have a routine, structure to my day.
Childcare - maybe mum could have Isla a day a week?
Accountability buddy + someone to critique work with.
Studio - Need to tidy it, make it ok for the kids to go in and out of there - put all dangerous stuff up high, make it more comfortable - a bed or a couch, take away the stools, make it warmer....rugs? Safety latch for window. Money to do this.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I'd like to make my work more project-based. I have a couple of ideas for different projects: Mother Mother - Schooled - Ham Town - Soul Paintings & Prints
I'd like my work to be more research based. To treat it like I'm doing my masters or honours, to have an academic written aspect to it.
I'd like to have outcomes that involve exhibiting my projects. To apply for exhibitions in galleries.
I'd like my work to have an online presence - to document it online, instagram? Website? And also to have it professionally photographed

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I'd like to have several finished whole bodies of work that will be exhibited. I'd like to be taken seriously as an artist, not just a decorative creator.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2017 changed many things in my life, then the birth of my second child in 2018 changed everything. One of those changes has been the way I think about my practice as an artist. Although having babies has given more meaning to my work and has helped in providing me with tonnes of creative ideas, I’ve also found it difficult to maintain my art practice and try to be a good mum. I like to imagine the role of mum and artist not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another.

I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: I need money and furniture to make my studio a comfortable space for me and the bubbas.
I need childcare 1 day a week, preferably Monday.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Accountability buddy and art critique-
Ask friends and family for a couch or bed & mattress? Foam mattresses from the warehouse? Get xxx to fix the window in studio.
Ask mum to have baby on Mondays.
Keep meal planning and prep dinners in the morning. Need to try and maintain a tidy kitchen around dinner time, so I'm not spending the evening tidying up and doing dishes.
On a Sunday make sure the house is tidy and chores are done so that there's minimal stuff to get done on Monday morning, so I can spend all day Monday in the Studio.

8. Create a structure for your residency: At home, in my studio. My main work day will be on Mondays. I will also try and work for an hour each weekday.

Start: 8/27/2019

End: 1/6/2020

How many hours a week will you work?: 8

9. Create accountability for yourself: Regular meetings with xxx to be accountable to each other as well as critique work.
Regular monthly meetings with our Arts Collective - 2nd Sunday of each month.

Weekly Instagram uploads to track my experience of the residency and to share work in progress and finished work.

Website? So I can track progress of multiple projects at the same time?

12. How might you begin?: Start by cleaning up my studio, sorting it out, making it comfortable and safe.
Ask mum to have baby on a Monday.
Keep making work
Make an Instagram post about starting the residency.

Location: New Zealand

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: In November 2018 I started my year long ARiM - culminating in November 2019. During that time I begun to create a new body of work- large-scale drawings completed in coloured pencil and acrylics on 2D and 3D surfaces including parcel paper, craft paper and cardboard packaging from washing machines, fridges and dishwashers. These artworks draw upon the landscape of my home and objects associated with children’s play. Objects lifted from the everyday experience are used as a riff on drawing, collage, painting and sculpture, to convey the multifarious aspects of motherhood- I have successfully written an application and exhibited work, an installation piece for PARK(ing) Day, a piece of my writing was selected for Lenka Claytons', Mothers' Day book, 2020. I have entered artwork into competitions and have had solid feedback on an unsuccessful proposal. On reflection of this time I was really working out who I was as an artist, as well as a mother. I didn't exactly know where I was going with my work other than it was an absolute necessity that begin making again. By researching other artists who were making work about the experience of Motherhood- and the impact that it had made upon their lives emotionally, physically and artistically, helped and changed my art practice and my approach to new motherhood immeasurably. The ARiM allowed me to give impetus to my home practice, and by allocating time, structure and accountability I found my direction as an artist/mother. I now feel ready to create a much more comprehensive ARiM, to further unpack topics that arose during my initial ARiM. My son, now 4 years old has started kindy 3 mornings a week I have a part time role as gallery assistant for an Outsider Art gallery that supports mental well being. I have gained more time and much needed extra funds for the continuation of my art practice.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I am originally from the UK, living in NZ, my husband and I have no extended family here and don't have any extra support when it comes to childcare. I still work from home and have limited space to make and store my artwork. I am still limited in how much time I can spend on my practice- I am currently able to dedicate 3 days a week from 10am until 2pm (12 hours per week). I am still struggling to find my community and I gather most my information and support from online sources. Although I completed BFA hons in 2014 I have no connection with my art school tutors for support.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Accountability Community Critique Mentor Visibility

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: Accountability- Creating an ARiM to give practice structure and clarity. Community- To contact and reach out to artists and groups who are making work within a similar framework. Attend more openings of other artists in my local community. Critique- Reach out to other artist for feedback about your work. Mentor- Speak to a family friend about her brother possibly mentoring me? Visibility- Get out to openings and galleries - put a regular up date on instagram- apply and submit work to community galleries/spaces.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: During this ARiM I would like to be more connected to my artist community within NZ. I will attended more artist openings and make myself more visible to galleries. I aim join a life drawing class. I aim to take a more experimental approach with my drawing and painting- colour, texture and perspective.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: My aim of my ARiM upon completion is to have a comprehensive and visually cohesive body of work with a proposal, ready for a solo exhibition, and/or as part of a group exhibition. I also aim to completed proposal for a drawing workshop-'Everything and the kitchen sink'. For mothers/parents/care givers wanting to find ways to include/weave creative practice in to their everyday experience, to be held monthly at the gallery where I currently work.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Artist’s Statement When I became a mother I became unstuck in time. It was the sheer exhausted almost hallucinatory state, that exacerbated sensations of continuously travelling back and forth through time. Memories of my own childhood, a severe lack of sleep and unrealistic expectations distorted my sense of reality. The fantasy of perfection lead to feelings of shame and guilt. My fear was that I was ruining my experience of new motherhood by dwelling on the past rather than focusing on the present with my baby. Yet I was continuously and inescapably in the present with daily rituals of early motherhood. It was my present that compelled me to reflect on the past and memories of the past that made anxious at my ability to be a mother. Unable to articulate what I was experiencing, I was left feeling like a stranger in my own body, both literally and metaphorically. Though never physically ever alone I also felt incredibly lonely. ‘No one mentions the psychic crisis of bearing a first child, the excitation of long buried feelings about one’s own mother, the sense of confused power and powerlessness, of being taken over on the one hand and of touching new physical and psychic potentialities on the other, a heightened sensibility which can be exhilarating, bewildering and exhausting,’. Adrienne Rich’s, 1970s - Of Woman Born. I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and to explore themes of Maternal subjectivity and the idea of Psychic Crisis- a reaction to external events where the individual is unable to cope with these events by means of their usual adaptive mechanisms and earlier experiences. The liminality in 'becoming' a mother - so under discussed mainstream discourse - and the ambiguity of in-between states, a Mothers body haunted by time travelling and ghosts. ­

Secure the resources you need: I will fund my own ARiM. I use a lot of re-sourced materials to draw and paint on to keep some cost to a minimum. I aim to make to my drawing workshops support themselves and run them through the gallery I work in with Directors approval.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work from home in my studio/kitchen.

Start: 2/14/2020 End: 11/15/2020 How many hours a week will you work?: 20

9. Create accountability for yourself: I aim to submit artwork to competitions to help give me deadlines for work completion dates. My first goal is enter the International Procreate Project, Mother Art Prize 2020 by March 13th 2020. To enter New Zealand's, Lysaght Watt Trust Art Award 2020 by May 17th 2020, and The Parkin Drawing Prize 2020 by June 5th 2020. I aim to keep a work diary/sketch books of where I am at with my progress.

10. Will you share the work you make?: To submit regular work to the gallery. I will post weekly WIP and completed images on to my Instagram. I aim to write proposals to community and artist run spaces for feedback and exhibition-

11. Community & Peers: Although this is a personal project I will undertake the making process alone, with this ARiM I hope to create some connections with other artists in NZ. Through my drawing workshop I hope to create a space for mothers/parents/care givers to come and get creative and share their experiences.

12. How might you begin?: I have, in a sense already begun. I decided to give myself a break from my studio practice the beginning of December 2019, to really think through how are should approach how to evolve my work and become more professional. I wasn't clear at the beginning but have realized that the structure of the ARiM really suits me as an artist and a mother. Writing everything down about my intentions, definitely gives me a structure and clear objectives and assists the creative process.

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I have been able to schedule studio time based on my college schedule (considering it is for studio arts and so very convenient) but with graduation approaching I will need to create scheduled time from now on. I usually work in my college studio space but I need to create space at home as well.
I have been working on large oil paintings and 3d work, but I will be creating smaller work so I can work from home also. I am not sure if this will even work but I like having a new challenge. I also am going to spend more time watercolor in nature to improve my color theories. I plan on including my son in my nature explorations and encouraging him to start a nature journal of his own. I look forward to the opportunity to teach him (hopefully) and spend more fun time with him that is not just TV watching at the end of the day.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: Im pulled in too many directions with my schedule to have large blocks of studio time or even time to sit and conceptualize my artistic ideas. I am also getting too much input at school about my art which I value highly but I need time to just play and not worry if someone approves what I create.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1-I need time exploring nature and documenting my observations.
2-I need some solitude to spend thinking and playing with my ideas.
3- time set aside

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1-time
2-child care, time, a location that is away from people (?)
3- everyone on board to let me have this time

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Not stress but just enjoy carefree art creating!

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to be refreshed mentally and to have found a direction.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I will approach this summer with a heart that is carefree but focused.
Each week I will carve out 2-3 hours of outside exploration to focus on color theory and to let my mind focus on what Im trying to say. I will also spend another 2-3 hours in my school studios creating some commercial work. This is a time to play instead of force my growth.

7. Secure the resources you need: Try to sell the majority of your work so that you can take a 2 week nature retreat.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Let Mom have xxx on the days I plan to paint and do not let work fill that time.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work out of my normal places on top of my regular scheduled studio time. I will pull all nighters once a month and try to have a 2 week long retreat into nature.

Mondays after work will be studio time.
Tuesdays I will take the morning exploring nature with xxx before lessons
Wednesdays are for xxx
Thursdays will be more nature exploring with xxx
Fridays are for getting the home in order and family time
Saturdays are work
Sunday are for week prep and catching up on the house

Start: 4/20/2017
End: 9/1/2017

How many hours a week will you work?: 15

9. Create accountability for yourself: instagram blogging
watercolor sketchbook
asking my professors for advice
having it all together by the semester's start in Fall

10. Will you share the work you make?: I will share it in a show (not sure which one) in the Fall

11. Community & Peers: I will attempt to have a group of friends to paint with every couple weeks

12. How might you begin?: I will start tomorrow by getting out tomorrow and painting for a couple hours.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Currently I am able to work for 1-2 hours, during early morning hours, sometimes in the middle of the day (nap time) and some evenings. I like to work in my studio in the basement but if I am knitting I work in the living room watching shows. I have been more pleased with my work lately but I feel that I still have a long way to go. I am working right now on a series of painting/drawings based on my kids painting and coloring, and a couple of "knit art" pieces, one based on mosses and molds, and another based on the concept of time (and my lack of it). Parenthood has affected the amount of time I have to work on my art, I have had to get more creative and more disciplined to make myself work, getting up an hour before my kids and making myself work on something, anything in my "studio" space.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I have two kids of my own, a 5 year old and a 3 year old, and we recently adopted my 3.5 year old nephew, so that is a new adjustment. Also, for extra income I watch one other 3 year old, 3-4 times a week. Interruptions! Even as I try to write these words I am being interrupted Time- hard to carve out pockets of time and even the ones I do make are never a guarantee Skills (photography of artwork, website)- don't have the time to take pictures or learn how to put together a website

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : Time- uninterrupted time Inspiration- sometimes...there are sometimes when I am working consistently that I can find inspiration all around me. Childcare would help but we would need more money for that I would love to have my own studio space away from my home, but that would require childcare and money. Accountability Website

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: To have more time I need childcare, or for the kids to start school. Next fall all of them will be in school at some capacity so I should have 21/2 hours to myself. To have more accountability I would need maybe a small group of other artists that meet on a regular basis for the purpose of discussing our work. Also I have started to try to keep myself accountable by posting on social media. Also putting my work in shows and having deadlines would help. Website- My sister has offered to take pictures of my work and make a website (she already does her own blog and photography). We just need to nail down a time.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to work on my art in more disciplined manner and have more accountability. I have been having more discipline lately but I need it to last. I would like to enter my work in more shows and build my own website for my art.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have enough work for a one-person show. I want the work to be something I would be confident putting out for others to see and I would like it to be indicative of a certain style or theme, generally. I also want to have a website with my work, and my own cards for networking

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I am a mother. I am an artist. I chose to stay home to raise my children. They bring me joy. Making art also brings me joy. I want to be committed to both and I have been neglecting the second, to the detriment, I believe, of the health of my family. I was created to create and I have not been feeding that part of me. I love to paint and draw and I also love to knit. Knitting as been a creative endeavor that is easier to prioritize in this stage of life because it is portable and "functional". I can justify doing it because I can do it while doing other things and it is "useful". However, I want to combine this with other ways I desire to make art. I want to make art not just because it is useful but just "because". I need to let go of efficiency and learn to play, like my children, uninhibited and joyfully. I also need systems in place to keep myself working and prioritizing being creative. I want my work to be about both of these things. I want my work to arise from inspiration around me- accessible and sometimes simple, as opposed to esoteric and unreachable. No longer will I neglect the creativity in my being. I will make time for my art because it brings me joy, which brings my kids and family joy in turn.

7. Secure the resources you need: I can sell some toys on Facebook. Also I can start saving extra money that I make from babysitting my [other] nephew once a week. b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I could ask friends more often if they could watch my kids just to have an hour or two extra. I could meet with Molly (who is also doing this residency) to discuss our work. I could make a goal to post something related to this residency everyday on Instagram.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I have a small studio space that I have organized just for me- no kids can access it unless I want them to.

Start: 3/1/2017 End: 3/3/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 4

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will record my time in a journal and on Instagram

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes, on Instagram. Hopefully, eventually on my website

11. Community & Peers: I will most likely keep connected through social media, doing anything takes more time that I would like to use to focus on working. However, I am periodically involved with a group of women artists. My goal with this group is to meet other artists and to put my work in their group shows. This community also keeps me accountable and inspired in ways because it puts me around other artists who share similar experiences, needs, challenges and inspirations.

12. How might you begin?: Set goals- commit to working the amount of time allotted, commit to posting my work on Instagram. Set a time to take pictures of my work with my sister.

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Normally I live and work in a city in Romania, but now, during this pandemic moment, I have been moving at the countryside, in a small village. For my nine months baby is a great opportunity to stay much more outside and enjoy his new swing from the tree in front of our house. My little baby is extremely curious and active. He loves to explore everything with me by his side. Now, for example, while I am writing this, he is under my desk, playing desperately with my feet, climbing on my knees. I can see his tiny head reaching to see over ... . I simply adore him, but on the other hand, I feel like I am never able to finish anything. I have plans to read and do research for my PhD, I attend online classes, I always write notes with things I have to do, trying to prioritize again and again my projects, because with every day, it gets crystal clear that right now there are no chances for me to have them all done and also be a good mother. Four years ago, while I was at my MA scholarship, I have been written some thoughts which recently I have decided to name them a book and get it published. For now, I am focusing on this target, reason why, I think it's appropriate to leave the other projects in stand by for a moment, to use the few free time that I have for defining the relation between text and image. With other words, I am digging for the roots of this link between visual arts and writing for my PhD, and in parallel, creating different interpretations of artist books - by artist book I mean an art object that has the shape of a book. I used to work for my art 6 days / week, sometimes 7, an important number of hours / day. My life has been changed completely since I am a mother, and I take this with optimism. In the last 9 months I have learned how it is to reinvent myself again and again, because his program - my program is in a continuously changing. I am opened to find out what it will come next. Right now I can proudly say that I am learning how to better organize my time and how to see more clearly what project worth my preoccupation.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: I am a young artist used to be enrolled in many projects. The fact that for 9 months I am a mother is fantastic, but time became my number one enemy. I always write done things that I have to do with all the projects remained in progress, but I never get to do them. In an ideal situation I would have had an assistant to help me with things that I used to do before (from stretching and preparing canvases, to editing videos, apply do different competitions etc.) and that I don't have time for anymore. But like many other artist, I cannot afford to have this luxury. The only constant income that I have is my PhD scholarship, which is less then the minimum salary on economy in Romania. Of course, that I also sell my art, but this is not an income that comes monthly. When I have it, I take it as a bonus and keep it apart. I don't think is needed to describe all the mother things that I do daily, and which take almost all of my time.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : assistance community time visibility

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would like to focus only one specific project and leave everything else behind temporarily. So I will focus on the text-image relationship and on producing artworks that have to do with this topic: drawings, photography, painting, installations etc.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: 1. I would like to be able to have a solo show with all the artworks done during the residency. 2. I would like to have a box with all the resources used for this project, to have everything very well documented.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child on the 24th of July 2019 changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I organize my time, and not at all the way I think about my career as an artist. I find now how it is to make a priority list of a priority list, and to have days when I succeed doing nothing from the list. The tricky part is that I must train myself to be okay with having days without time for art at all, and not become frustrated for this reason. It is essential for keep on doing it and let myself be inspired by all the new things that come to my life every day. I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, nap-length studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it. Overall, no matter how small the progress is, it still can be called progress which means that the most important is the consistency. Imagine myself shouting out loud how much I enjoy being a mother and making art! Due to this self-imposed residency, I will prove it by my activity for 92 days on the page I have created especially for it on my blog.

7. Secure the resources you need: - a good thing for the beginning will be make digital sketches and drawings while breast feeding (which means 3 times/day). - Unfortunately, big changes in the program will be hard to make because my baby has 9 months and needs a lot my attention, and is also my PhD that takes quite a lot time as well. - I want to find obtain some fundraise, especially for the oversized book-objects, for which the materials will cost more than I can afford. - I already made a convention with my mother and my baby's father - I will have 2,5 h / day for my work. b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to:

8. Create a structure for your residency: I will work here - our house from the countryside. Start: 5/20/2020 End: 8/20/2020 How many hours a week will you work?: 8

9. Create accountability for yourself: A public blog. I will create a new page just for this residency on my blog. I will post once in two weeks.

10. Will you share the work you make?: I intend to publish my book. I will organize the book release as an exhibition in an art gallery. I will exhibit at the book release the book-objects that I will create during this residency. I will also search for other opportunities, maybe an online exhibition.

11. Community & Peers: I am doing it alone.

12. How might you begin?: I will use as starting point the book that I have written. I will first write down key words, select phrases to be written on the pages of the books that I will create. After sketching several variants of pages (each page will be on painting) I will start thinking about materials and experiment different sizes. I want to do very big books, but also very small ones.

Romania

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Ready to start another project after a big break (almost a year) since finishing my last exhibition and having a baby. Using painting and drawing currently to process a difficult birth and recovery, however would like to move beyond this to make work that is related to but perhaps accommodating both personal and scientific perspectives of my recent experiences. Currently working 1-2 hours per week-mostly in small 15min blocks when xxx is asleep or content playing by himself. Once my baby started napping longer (about 7 months old), I felt I could spend time in the studio again. Parenthood has been positive for my working style so far, removing all the procrastination! I'm also more confident and feel I have more purpose in continuing my art. It is healthy for our whole family for me to be creatively fulfilled. And I want to be a good example of women being committed mothers AND artists for my child (and myself!). I work in a home studio in the spare room.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 1. No scheduled scheduled studio time 2. Struggle to concentrate 3. Only working in 15min chunks of time Larger blocks of time, 1-2 hours at a time preferably 4. Change my thinking around the importance of creative work amongst other kinds 5. No external accountability 6. Lost touch with people who invigorated my thinking 7. Tired!

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1. Need scheduled 1-2 hr blocks of time to work 2. Need xxxx cared for even if asleep 3. A mentor 4. Connections with another people in science/healing/group to collaborate/research alongside 5. Sleep-extra hour a night would help

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. Need someone else to look after xxxx-even if he's asleep 2. Work schedule that fits in with xxx and/or grandparents 3. Email some people who fit as a mentor-arrange coffee dates first 4. Join Bio-quisitive-community biological science group, look for other science residencies, go to exhibition openings 5. Go to bed by ten every night

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: Learn how to manage time effectively so that it's not a struggle to squeeze in studio time Develop a mentor relationship, ideally with an artist who is also a mother, to learn not only the parent/artist juggle, but how to find and plan for opportunities. Challenge myself to care deeply and try my best and be ok with rejection. Experiment with more materials-try clay, collage Be confident in what I do!

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: Made a body of work in a variety of materials including at least 3 'finished' pieces Booked in an opportunity or two-such as an exhibition/art prize/etc Have a clear direction to continue with- able to write about it clearly to apply for funding/exhibitions Have found a mentor

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : Last year I established for myself that I have a strong artistic purpose, the work is worth doing, for myself and for others. Now I can get on with it. Aim to work collaboratively with other industries-the social and learning aspects enrich the art-making part immensely. By scheduling work time with childcare arrangements, there will be no time for procrastination (as I'm already proving to myself) There is much less room for anxiety ridden doubt in motherhood. I can do anything now, after surviving obliterating pain and countless other new parent struggles-if I want to do this art thing, then I can. Parenthood is teaching me I have endless resources for stamina, persistence, getting up again and again after falling down, and slowly, that my instinct is strong and I can trust it. Trust yourself. The art-baby is easier- I love it, but no one can take it away. To keep it alive all I have to do is give it time, and persist. I can start over whenever I need, the risks don't hurt anyone. Perhaps 'finished' artworks don't need to be the goal? Perhaps trying things, making actions more than thinking should be the goal. Using art to connect with people that are also curious and engaged in their passions. Apply for things even if it's a 'long shot'. Meet other artists who are also mothers! xxxx said: “It's ok to try hard and care a lot, and still 'fail'”. The work is worth it anyway.

7. Secure the resources you need: Money- Apply for arts funding Apply for art-science funding Start a Patreon (or similar)? Ofter digital prints of artwork to donors b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Time- Discuss work schedules with xxx-then if any gaps in childcare ask grandparents Spend less time watching TV at night-do other things to relax, read/draw/play keyboard Find ways to work when xxx is awake, or that even involves him Make the studio baby friendly-or make space for a playpen(?!) -Spend childcare time doing mind-intensive/creative work -Spend Woody awake time doing prep, easier, menial work (he would like watching/helping assemble canvases etc) GO TO BED WHEN SLEEPY! I am more creative and productive when healthy-eat when hungry, exercise a bit Mentor- Contact potential mentors who I already know first Perhaps xxx could be an accountability tracker?

8. Create a structure for your residency: In my home studio, lounge room, dining table

Start: 6/1/2019 End: 8/1/2019 How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: Personal journal Patreon/similar? Applying for art prizes Find a mentor Chat to xxx/xxx/xxx/xxx about current work

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes, hopefully share the work in an exhibition or other physical space Also share on Instagram each week Updates on Patreon (or similar)

11. Community & Peers: The residency itself will be alone, with the goal to build relationships with a mentor, other artist mothers and look for openings into another part of the science industry.

12. How might you begin?: -Spend a week in the studio collecting ideas, making studies and writing -Email first two mentor options to arrange a coffee date -Look into Kickstarter and similar platforms -Apply for short term arts grant ($1100) -Submit expression of interest for 1 week science residency (500w)

Australia

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I spend about two hours a week on actual art making not including time reading, researching and planning which i would say is about an hour a day. I'm not happy with the amount of hands on art making time because i know its not enough to execute what i would like to complete within an expected time frame that many other childless artists work in. I work in my bedroom, sometimes the dining room and my research and reading happens when i am commuting mostly and some in bed. i was working on two projects one was put on hold because i had to home school one of my children who was going through a tough time in school, including bullying. My personal project which i was slowly working on is based on civil war children of Central America, mostly as fiber art pieces (children's garments) and pseudo documentary photo series. In a year's time i was only able to complete one piece. The other project is with another artist and is based on care taking. Parenthood has slowed down my art making practice but not stifled it. It serves as a breeding ground for ideas. all my parenting causes me to reflect on my own childhood and stirs up many things i feel i need to address. like Louise Bourgeois art making is what keeps me sane and is primarily stirred up by my relationship with my children.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: -Having four children in different stages ages 15, 12, 10, 6 years old -children dealing with bullying -school system not considering that families may have more than two children -school system that claims to accept differences but then expects everyone to fall into line -living in non-family friendly city

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : -Minimal income does not allow for spending on materials as needed -No studio space to work uninterrupted

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: help getting grants have considered getting a shed/ home office added to home for separate space to work

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: more actively marry my work as an artist and my work as a mother to explore a more organic art making experience

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to ave a body of work that can be used in moving forward with Caretaker project ideas but more importantly have developed a better rhythm and system for making my practice more consistent or otherwise learn what i can and cannot change about it

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : In common with all new parents, the birth of my first child in 2002 and later my three other children that followed in subsequent years, changed many things in my life. One of those changes has been the way I think about my career as an artist. I find now that many aspects of the professional art world are closed to artists with families. Most prestigious artist residencies for example specifically exclude families from attending. Despite a legacy of public artist/parents it still seems to be a commonly held belief that being an engaged mother and serious artist are mutually exclusive endeavors. I don’t believe or want to perpetuate this. I like to imagine the two roles not as competing directions but to view them, force them gently if necessary, to inform one another. I will undergo this self-imposed artist residency in order to fully experience and explore the fragmented focus, early-morning-when-no-one-is-awake studio time, limited movement and resources and general upheaval that parenthood brings and allow it to shape the direction of my work, rather than try to work “despite” it.

7. Secure the resources you need: considering making some mini zines that can i can sell as a fundraiser as well as a crowd funding campaign. b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: Having my kids help me as little assistants( my oldest already does when i ask for help) and occasionally asking my best friend to take them on an outing i think may help. husband currently works a day and night job so it doesn't seem fair to ask him to do it during the week but maybe one Saturday a month could work. As far as space i don't see how i could use space differently, doing the best i can with what we have at the moment.

8. Create a structure for your residency: In my bedroom, open space. will consider buying a screen so that my work space and rest space can have a bit of separation for sanity

Start: 9/1/2017 End: 3/1/2018 How many hours a week will you work?: 6

9. Create accountability for yourself: Journaling would be the easiest way for me to keep track of my experience (possibly a blog as the writing may feed into it) and emailing between myself and a fellow artist I've been trying to develop caretaker project with.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes i plan to. looking to get in touch with galleries to see who would be interested in showing my work. Applying for a spot at a local zine fair to display mini zines of reproductions and work by my own children.

11. Community & Peers: on my own (and my children as they will be a large part of this)

12. How might you begin?: The most organic way i plan on starting is by following my kids around the house with a camera. Since care taking is a big thread in this project i intend to pay close attention to what they do for each other, caring for someone else, but as i am writing i think it will be interesting to catch them on the other end of the spectrum....when they can't get along.

USA

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: Currently I work from home and the majority of my art making time is during my daughters nap time. Occasionally I stay up late after everyone is asleep to work on something I can’t get out of my head. I don’t have a dedicated studio in my home so my drawings are scattered over every surface my daughter can’t reach which feels very chaotic. Everything I am making now is small, mostly simple drawings and watercolors that I can whip out quickly. Prior to having a kid I made large oil paintings and that is really what I would like to get back to.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: • Time • A dedicated work space

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : • Time • Space • Sleep (ha!)

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: • Time- I need childcare • Space- I need to prioritize making a dedicated work space in my home. A place where I can leave out works in progress and where my materials are out of reach of my daughter. • Sleep- I need more nighttime help from my partner and childcare so that I can take more naps in the day.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I would to like to get into an art making routine with a schedule but I would also like to be flexible and open to things not going as planned.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to create a cohesive body of work about my experience of motherhood. At least 10 finished works, not necessarily in the same medium, that tell a story. I would also like to document this process with photos, sketches and objects and have everything culminate in some sort of show. Last, I would like to have developed an art making routine in my life that I can continue after residency.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : My plan is to continue making art during nap times but to also prioritize finding child care several times a week so that I can have uninterrupted time for myself. I don’t currently feel like I have any balance. All of my art making time I am also watching and caring for my toddler. I have found that in order for me to feel grounded and sane I need some amount of focused time for me to spend on making art.

7. Secure the resources you need: I like the idea of making an affordable addition. This sounds like something I can do and feel comfortable with. b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: My home can definitely be rearranged to make a small space for me to work in. I am also figuring out childcare with my family and considering if we can afford to pay for childcare. xxx has already agreed to be my accountability person.

8. Create a structure for your residency: I’m going to work from home in the space I am carving out for myself in our living room/play area. As soon as I secure childcare I will have a better idea of a realistic structure.

Start: 1/1/2021 End: 1/1/2022 How many hours a week will you work?: 10

9. Create accountability for yourself: I’m planning on documenting the entire experience on my blog and meeting regularly with xxx.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes, mostly on my blog and website, and a little on Instagram and Facebook.

11. Community & Peers: I will be doing this residency mostly alone. But I will be meeting with xxx regularly to share work and ideas. She is doing her own artist’s residency.

12. How might you begin?: I have begun getting my space in order and securing regular childcare.

USA

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I am about two thirds, or maybe three quarters?, done with a draft of a linked short story collection. Many of the stories were written while I was pregnant and one since the baby was born. To capitalize on pregnancy and early motherhood, I've been writing fiction that often touches on a stage I have just passed before I forget the details. She is ten months old. Starting at eight months, I was able to write a little during naps. I write in my bedroom or on the couch since I no longer have a desk once our small roommate moved into the apartment!

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: My time to write is during the baby's naps or after she goes to bed, but until very recently her naps were often extremely short and she wakes up early so by evening I am very sleepy. -I have so many other things to do to keep her alive, like shop and cook and clean, that do need to happen during the day. -I am very tired.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : -Sleep -Help cooking and cleaning

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: -The passage of time -Money

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: On weekends, I prioritize being with my husband and baby together. We often see family, go to swim class, have excursions, and play. Because of his work and her sleep schedule, we can't do any of this during the week. But during the residency weekend, they will have time together on their own for a few hours and I will go write. I will also plan and prepare meals before Friday, and let the apartment be messy, so that I am not spending naps doing things like that so I can write.

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to have started a new story for my collection. Starting is the hardest part for me. If I am able to get going with a new story, I should be able to pick it up over subsequent non-residency naps and make real progress.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : The baby is fine. The mess doesn't matter. Don't read the news. Real live people would like to see a draft of this book. Starting a story is the hardest part, so do it now!

7. Secure the resources you need: b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: All I needed to do is tell my husband I was going to take a few hours over the weekend to write and he said, "sure." I am also going to post on social media that I am doing this so my agent sees it and everyone knows I am plowing ahead with a new book. That will be good incentive.

8. Create a structure for your residency: On Friday and Monday, during naps, I will work in the bedroom or on the couch. Over the weekend, I will work at a cafe.

Start: 2/2/2018 End: 2/5/2018

How many hours a week will you work?: 6

9. Create accountability for yourself: I'll post on social media.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Eventually, but for now it'll just go in my manuscript folder.

11. Community & Peers: We have a group going on Facebook of local writers.

12. How might you begin?: With the blank page.

United States of America

1. Describe where you are currently with your creative work: I'm able to give about 30 minutes to my writing a day. I used to work in the middle of the living room but I was able to carve out a corner of my bedroom about a week ago with a desk. I feel better about that than my dang living room. I'm working on getting any essays published. Parenthood has made writing much harder. My son is 5 now, so I'm his best friend in the world. I'm so glad. However, it makes it hard to get a minute to myself.

2. Describe as specifically as possible, anything about your current situation that makes your creative life difficult: 1. My entire family is home due to the Covid-19. Everyone has cabin fever. 2. There is no privacy. My home is small and frankly, we're up each other's butt.

3. What do you need that you don't currently have? : 1. Time 2. Sleep 3. Mentor 4. Visibility

3b. For each of the items on your list, what would you need to get each of these things?: 1. I need to carve out time. Just like I need to carve out time for a shower. I need to carve out time for this. 2. Sleep. I need to learn how to wind down. 3. Mentor. I would love someone to talk to, who's been in my shoes. 4. Visibility. I want to learn how to get visibility as an essayist without falling into a scam.

4. What do you like to do differently during your residency?: I want to devote more time to my work now that I have a space in which to work. I would like to treat this as a profession and not a hobby,

5. Describe in a paragraph, where you would like to be with your work after finishing the residency: I would like to be more knowledgable about where to take my work and have a couple of thoughtful essays about the Covid-19 experience as well as about my son under my belt. Since this pandemic, I've been disturbed by the lack of his voice out there. There's a lot of scary things out there and no one (except for Sesame Street) addressing our youngest citizens.

6. Write a manifesto for yourself : I need to reinvent what my new normal is. If my son wants to be in my room as I write, great. Talk to him. Maybe he'll give me some ideas. He has already. I will make time to wind down and I will shut down all work two hours before bed.

7. Secure the resources you need: I've started marketing online writing lessons.

b) Alternatively look at how you might reconsider things you already have access to: I can ask husband to help me with childcare more than I do. Also, when he's working, I can be working. I want to network with more writers to find mentors. I can google about visibility, etc.

8. Create a structure for your residency: My home

Start: 4/15/2020 End: 4/15/2021

How many hours a week will you work?: 7

9. Create accountability for yourself: I will pick up journaling again.

10. Will you share the work you make?: Yes. I want to get published anywhere.

11. Community & Peers: I am undertaking this alone as of right now.

12. How might you begin?: I begin by looking for grants today.

USA