Joanna Litten reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest.
‘Get that application in!’ My friend Natalie told me. I told her I didn’t have time, discounting myself.
I’m not scared of rejection. I am afraid to fail.
But she was right. What’s the harm in putting myself out there?
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Olivia James reflects on her recent Hatching residency at The Nest.
In recent times I have been drawn back to analogue ways of working and life, without pressure or restricting myself (I still love the convenience, immediacy and fun technology brings and the worlds and connections that are discovered, I won’t be throwing away my mobile phone or pausing my social media any time soon!). I knew that in my first week at The Nest I wanted to not use my laptop – be without the distraction and temptation of doing or looking at other things. I arrived with pen and paper and an open mind to approach the 10 days ahead flexing my writing muscles; quite literally using hand and finger muscles.
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Taszyn Bailey‘s Hatching Residency reflections.
Before starting my residency, I tried to figure out what I’m actually visually drawn to. I looked through old photos, saved images, and my past illustrations and paintings. There were two themes I consistently revisit: architecture and nature, often intertwined.
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Lucy Denton reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest
I recently had the opportunity to spend four days over two weeks as part of the Nest Residency with the team at Talking Birds in Coventry. I felt comfortable in the space and was treated like a professional. During that time, the experience opened up far more ideas than I expected.
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Julie Joannides reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest
At the end of February 2026 I was about to start my Nest residency I had such mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness with the dreaded imposter creeping in. I submitted an application in the Autumn supported by Charlie in one of her surgeries where I offloaded my head full of a myriad of ideas that I wanted to explore. I was excited and nervous and wanted to make the most of the experience ahead.
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Rachel Doughty reflects on her recent Hatching residency at The Nest.
You cannot imagine my excitement when someone approached me about making a dress that could have a theatre in the skirt to enable mobile performances; I may have even squealed just a little.
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Polly Merredew reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest.
Fragments, threads and weaving. Three little words, giving rise to many thoughts and questions.
What is my place and how am I woven into this world?
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Lucy Grubb reflects on her recent Hatching Residency at The Nest.
The Moon is a Satellite,
and this city itself feels like my own private constellation.
Adele Mary Reed reflects on her recent Hatching residency at The Nest.
There is nowhere like a nest to knuckle down and nourish yourself. Contained, safe, with wise guardians popping in and out. A trail of breadcrumbs lead me there, meandering path through years, motherhood, lockdowns, urban redevelopment, relationships, travel, wildflowers.
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Rosa Francesca reflects on her recent Hatching Residency
Impetus and Intention
In early 2024 I suffered an illness that rapidly took over my life. I had been experiencing joint issues for a few years, and because of this illness I quickly deteriorated further to the point that I could barely walk or speak and became an ambulatory wheelchair user. I fully expected to be totally unable to walk by the end of the year, however after spending time in hospital I was able to massively improve my health and found myself gaining back my mobility.
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n:u reflects on their recent Nest Residency, which followed on from – and built on – their time as a MAIA fellow and residency at Yard.
During my residency with Talking Birds i reflected on my practice, and my sense of direction. 5 years ago my first contract in the UK was with Talking Birds for a residency. It was remote from home, due to COVID-19 lockdown. This time again, as an ode to that time i did the residency remote. i started walking a lot around Birmingham more than i had done across 4 years living here. Walking supports my digestive processes and i had a lot to digest.
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Reisz Amos reflects on his recent Hatching Residency, which followed on from – and built on – his time as a MAIA fellow and his residency at Yard.
Continue reading“The freedom to discover without pressure of presentation
has allowed me to dream dreams I didn’t believe I was allowed to.
Talking Birds has cultivated the birth of a new creative version of myself!”Reisz ‘Odd Priest’ Amos
Words from the Birds 