Martha Reich
Interview & Photography / Catherine Bernier
in collaboration with Milo & Dexter
When musician, multi-instrumentalist, and multimedia artist Martha Reich stepped onto the quiet shoreline of Seaforth, she arrived with a suitcase of small-format art materials, her grandfather’s vintage Polaroid, and a heart ready to listen. Known for her soulful songwriting, intimate vocals, and work that weaves together music, photography, video, and painting, Martha came to The Parcelles with an open invitation to herself: to be moved by the land.
Martha grew up loving singing and guitar, though she was shy about sharing her voice with others. Visual art felt easier to put into the world. Over time, following her path as an artist has become deeply healing. She now embraces both music and visual expression, sharing them widely and seeing them as intertwined parts of her practice.
When she booked her residency at The Parcelles, she imagined being inspired by the natural beauty of the place. As her stay approached, more concrete ideas emerged. Traveling from New Mexico meant keeping materials small and portable: watercolors, oil pastels, mixed media, paper, and her grandfather’s vintage Polaroid camera. She hoped to work on a lyric video for her new song “Woody’s Lullaby,” create mixed-media pieces, take photographs and videos, and explore the idea of impermanence — even placing watercolor paintings in the ocean to see how they might transform.
Her days unfolded gently. Each morning began outside the cabin with prayers of gratitude. Sometimes she walked along the ocean; other days she stayed in, tuning into whatever called her. She avoided a rigid schedule, preferring to respond to the rhythm of the place. The cabin’s natural light inspired photography and drawing, while the surrounding landscape drew her outdoors. Often she became so immersed in her work that the setting sun reminded her to pause and step outside to capture the last light.
The landscape deeply influenced her creative process. She found herself blending scenes from Seaforth with experiences from home, creating pieces that felt like entirely new worlds. At first she felt a bit of pressure to make the most of her designated creative time, but as she settled in, that softened. She began working more intuitively: layering oil pastels over watercolor, masking areas with tape before painting, and filming her ocean-immersed pieces. To her surprise, the water barely altered them, adding a poetic twist to her exploration of impermanence.
Time became her greatest challenge. It took a while to settle in, but once she did, the week passed too quickly. She left wishing she had more days to keep creating and exploring.
“The more we authentically create art and share it with the world, the more understanding and insight we cultivate across cultures, lifestyles, and generations.”
- Martha Reich
Her stay included meaningful encounters with the local community. At Hope For Wildlife, she spoke with volunteers and learned more about the area and the animals that inhabit it. And she witnessed a moment she’ll never forget: one morning, she looked outside to see two deer walking along the beach — a soft, early-morning memory she carries with her.
The residency also shifted her artistic approach. Being here encouraged her to start painting without a clear plan, allowing the piece to reveal itself. Since returning home, she has begun inviting others to join her in painting and drawing sessions, feeling how shared creativity can open new pathways.
For Martha, residencies like The Parcelles offer something rare: the freedom to step out of daily responsibilities and devote oneself entirely to art. “Being at The Parcelles allows artists the freedom to just be,” she says, “therefore making it easier to create.”
Her week in Seaforth was filled with small rituals, experiments, quiet wonder, and a presence that seemed to listen as much as it made. Martha left behind the feeling that art deepens when we allow ourselves to slow down — and let the world speak back.
Follow Martha Reich / @marthareichbraden
Portraits by Catherine Bernier / @cath.be
Clothing by Milo & Dexter / @miloanddexter
