The Artist Residency
I could have not applied. I could have stood on the sidelines and proclaimed to myself, “Ohhh, I’m not a good enough artist to do this, and doubted my worthiness to partake in such a magical adventure! I could have wished I was the most amazing artist in all the land and I would be accepted immediately. And maybe I did proclaim all that and wish all that but I still took a chance, knowing that I might be rejected, knowing that I might not be good enough and that wishes are sometimes just wishes and nothing more.
There were a lot of obstacles to overcome including the small financial obligation and time commitment to consider but I persevered through, took a giant leap of faith, and applied. The worst that could happen is they would say no. Many months went by, not knowing, hoping, doubting. And then I got the email that said, “You’ve been accepted!”
What I was accepted to was a 2 week artist residency in France at the Chateau Orquevaux! Where was it exactly ( I couldn’t find it on the map), how would I get there, where would I stay, what would I paint? WOULD I BE GOOD ENOUGH? You know, little details. First thing was trying to learn how to pronounce it! Chateau Orquevaux. Click link if you want to know how to say Chateau Orquevaux too.
From LA I flew into Paris and spent time walking everywhere and exploring the @museepicassoparis , @museeorsay @museedelavieromantique @hoteldelamarine and @museedemontmartre . I observed the architecture, beauty, history and art, and took a guided tour of Paris in the cutest little Citron. I dined on fabulous French food and tasted delicious French wine. Visiting the city before hand was a prelude to the inspiration I knew would contribute to the art I hoped to make.
After that, I began my journey to ADVENTURE on a 3 hour train ride from Paris to @chateau_orquevaux @atelier_chateau_orquevaux to meet up with 18 other artists from around the world for an artist residency in the most gorgeous chateau!
Everyone had their own private room and private studio and free reign to create whatever our imagination can dream. Days and nights were spent painting, participating in a couple of workshops, outdoor concerts, lounging lakeside, salons, dining, conversing and sharing of ideas.
I was so honored to have been chosen for one of these coveted spots and excited to explore my artistic pursuits, but that honor came with self-imposed pressure to create something magnifique, especially when people said “I can’t wait to see what you create”! I had to take a moment and remember, this was for me and remember my “why” for going. I wanted to use this time to push boundaries, explore new things, create with wild abandon without pressure for it to be good, or to impress. And thought perhaps, out of that I would create something extraordinary or maybe nothing worth keeping but in doing so, I would learn and thrive in the making. One thing that happened is I took a workshop on writing and my inner writer woke up! Here is a poem I wrote, take a read!
AT THE CHATEAU ORQUEVAUX
There is a cat named Dusty and over six bats
flying in my room,
from the windows left open past dusk
A slug mistaken for a carrot inches across the road
The same road that nearly toppled me when my pants caught the rhythm of the bike chain and held fast
Mowers leave behind the smell of fresh cut grass
Mornings bring sunshine and beautiful sunrises, followed by fresh baked croissants,
Leaving us wanting more
Fruit that has France stamped on it, laying claim to the myth that the French do it better
Bees fly in and out the house, a taste of wine jelly or marmalade will do nicely
Artists too, looking for more
Goats graze peacefully in the fragrant grass and sidestep the stinging nettles, unlike me
Magic is within the open windows, the four walls
High on the hill, the big brick house with wooden floors that creak in the night
Holds stories and the people who came to find a piece of themselves they might have lost along the way or never found until now
Awakening in me, a writer writing poems and artist telling stories, trying art forms previously denied
Over meals, meeting in the salon, taking walks and swimming in the pond
Conversations bridge the gap between ages and foster friendships forever waiting to support the efforts of those less knowledgeable and encouragement to stay the course for those fearful to proceed,
Time will tell the changes made, latent talents ignited, a shift in brushes, and pens to acknowledge a new light like the scenery before us, beautiful and always changing yet staying the same with a foundation built to last.
A reckoning of what holds us back and moves us forward, shifts in performance
But oh to continue the saxophone music that fills the night, and a bonfire that lights the sky, the dance parties that spontaneously erupt, the food that beckons us to eat more and taste the sensation of fresh and delicious and indulgent recipes cooked to perfection, the dark night strolls to capture the stars above, the wine cave opens and selections made, enjoyed at night like an aromatic coffee at morning, relax, positions on the floor and in the chair, capturing the female form and performer posing. Waxing poetic, writing notes and business quotes.
Transforming walls and floors and ceilings with pieces of ourselves and our imagination
Chateau Orquevaux will live within our hearts in every piece we make and our dreams and adventurous spirit will seep into the walls and retrace our steps, leaving an imprint of all we have to offer and all that we are. Our shadows will play along the wall when others come to dance and make a warm embrace as the previous makers did for us as we arrived.
FOR FUN, I continued my #creativepractice of drawing on paper coffee cups every day to jumpstart my creative flow and they turned out to be a big hit. Here they are displayed on the fireplace mantle of my private art studio.
I painted a few paintings that I was proud of and made friends that I can connect to forever. I basked in the creative flow and loved every single minute. It was a transformative experience personally and professionally and what I learned and would love to share is, when you have the opportunity to explore your creativity, no matter where or how, jump in and say yes. You never know where it will lead.