Overhead view of red roses, pruning shears, candle, and vase arranged on a wooden stool and floor.

 

The Last of the Milk

 

 

'The Last of the Milk' began as a response to the word 'imagine'. One nap time, I changed the water in a vase of roses. One fell apart in my hands and the thought 'what if I was this rose?" crossed my mind. The first gallery seen below is the creative result of following that thought, an exploration of the last days of breastfeeding which examines the tension between the grief of leaving the baby days behind and the excitement of facing the next chapter of motherhood.

 

Wilting red roses in a glass vase on a wooden stool with scattered petals in warm sunlight.
Overhead view of red roses, pruning shears, and a candle arranged on a wooden stool floor scene.
Close-up artistic photo of a baby breastfeeding with a decorative red rose petal on the mother's chest.
Artistic conceptual photo of a woman with simulated wounds breastfeeding a baby against a light background.
Two deep red roses in a frosted glass vase on a wooden stool with pruning shears and rose petals.
Artistic conceptual close-up of a woman holding a milk jar with rose petals and ribbon on her chest.

 

"...Oh to fit grief on a 4"x6"..."

 

Grief in motherhood

How one image sparked a postcard project
Wilting red roses in a glass vase on a wooden stool with scattered petals in warm sunlight.

Sharing this image and the story behind it online resulted in lots of messages from women about the personal grief they hold in motherhood. I found solace in these private thoughts, and started thinking about how to create a space for women to share their stories in an anonymous and safe way. Part inspired by a friend's art postal club, I set about creating post packs to send out, each containing a small fine art print of this image, a blank 'Last of the Milk' postcard, a stamped addressed envelope and a handwritten letter from me, inviting the reader to respond to the image with their own stories of motherhood grief.  

The postcards I have received have been deeply moving, not all from mothers or even those who want children, and from women across a wide age range and at differing stages of motherhood. Whilst some themes are emerging - loss of identity, questioning choices - each response is deeply personal and unique. The anonymity of the postcards provides people with a safe space to express feelings that they may not have spoken aloud before. What is becoming clear is that we all hold some grief, mother or not, and sharing our experiences can be cathartic and allow us to feel less alone.

 

"...How can I make sure they are thriving if I am only surviving?..."

 

Handwritten card page one of two titled The Last of the Milk sharing a personal motherhood grief story.
Handwritten card page two of two titled The Last of the Milk about grief identity and early motherhood.
Ceramic milk carton figurine with spilled milk drops on a wooden surface against a neutral background.
Handwritten card titled The Last of the Milk expressing longing for personal identity beyond motherhood.
Handwritten thank you card titled The Last of the Milk reflecting on motherhood identity and gratitude.
Handwritten note card titled The Last of the Milk reflecting on motherhood paradox love grief and creativity.
Handwritten note card titled The Last of the Milk describing motherhood as utter joy and the heaviest weight.
Handwritten card titled The Last of the Milk about gratitude grief and pre-motherhood friendships fading.
Handwritten card titled The Last of the Milk about sacrificing friendships and capacity for love in motherhood.
Brass kitchen sink with gold faucet, pink mug, and two white liquid soap pouches on a gray countertop.
The Last of the Milk titled card with handwritten note about breasts producing milk after weaning.
Handwritten note card titled The Last of the Milk about becoming a mother before knowing oneself signed Pere.
Handwritten poem card titled The Last of the Milk about breastfeeding ending and learning to let go.
Handwritten note card titled The Last of the Milk telling a story about the end of a marriage and parenthood.
Handwritten card from The Last of the Milk project sharing a personal breastfeeding story on wood surface.
Handwritten note card with personal reflections on breastfeeding, part of The Last of the Milk project.
Handwritten card number 3 from The Last of the Milk photography project with personal breastfeeding reflections.
Handwritten notecard titled The Last of the Milk sharing personal thoughts on motherhood and identity.
The Last of the Milk titled notecard with handwritten text about feelings after stopping breastfeeding.
Instagram story replies showing emotional responses to a motherhood-themed art piece about identity.
Handwritten letter card titled The Last of the Milk listing sources of grief in motherhood addressed to Amy.
Handwritten card titled The Last of the Milk about finding deep joy from grief and affirming motherhood always.

Join the project

You are welcome to share your story
Ceramic milk carton figurine with spilled milk drops on a wooden surface against a blurred background.

To participate in this project, simply fill out this form. It is completely free of charge to take part. You will be sent a letter from me about the project, a fine art print to keep, a postcard to write your response and a stamped addressed envelope to post your response back to me.



This project is completely anonymous - I will not know who the response if from unless you add your name or another note. You do not have to be a mother to take part and there is no age limit.

TAKE PART