ReMilk is a richly textured textile collage that reimagines the resilient milk thistle using vivid recycled cotton and polyester fabrics, accented by hints of tulle and organza. Through layered construction and expressive hand-stitching, the artwork embodies both the wild spirit of the plant and a commitment to material rebirth.

At the top of the composition, the thistle bloom erupts in a voluminous cluster of pinks, whites, and deep greens. Made from gathered, knotted, and fluffed textile scraps, the bloom combines sturdy recycled materials with the delicate translucence of tulle and organza, resulting in a sculptural, cloudlike crown that evokes motion and vitality.

Beneath, the thistle’s spiked leaves radiate outward in bold, stitched forms. Earthy greens and soft beige tones create contrast and rhythm, layered atop a base of vintage-patterned fabric that subtly references plant life. The entire composition is grounded by a cobalt blue backdrop, allowing the leaf structure and floral tufting to leap forward in vivid relief.

Themes & Interpretation:
In ReMilk, Jeanne M. Connolly offers a meditation on protection, healing, and reinvention. Like the milk thistle itself—known for its restorative properties—the artwork speaks to the idea of resilience born from transformation. Through the use of repurposed materials, Connolly draws attention to the inherent beauty and strength in what is often overlooked or cast aside.