Day 13

My People

One of the most unexpected and beautiful parts of any artist residency is the people you meet along the way. Here at Château Orquevaux, we’ve come from all over the world — different countries, different languages, different lives — but we’ve somehow landed in the same place at the same time, all bringing our own creative spark to the table.

We’re painters, writers, stay-at-home mums, dance teachers, college professors, tattoo artists — the list goes on. Some of us have degrees and long CVs. Some have none. And none of that seems to matter.

What we do have in common is a deep pull to create, to explore, to dig into the work that matters most to us. And that shared impulse builds connection faster than almost anything else.

There are moments here — over a shared meal, during a late-night studio chat, or walking the grounds with a cup of tea — when the conversation turns raw and real. We talk about the joys of our practice and the frustrations. About the paths we took to get here, and the ones we didn’t. We’re sharing our stories — some light, some heavy — and in doing that, we’re opening ourselves to one another in ways that feel rare and important.

There’s a kind of vulnerability that happens in a place like this. We’re showing our art, our writing, our inner worlds — and watching others do the same. It’s not competitive, it’s generous. And that generosity makes space for something even more special: friendship.

I’ve laughed here. I’ve cried here. I’ve listened and been heard. These people — this patchwork group of strangers-turned-friends — feel like my people. And that’s a gift I wasn’t expecting, but one I’ll carry with me long after I leave.

Art may have brought us here. But it’s the connection that’s making this place unforgettable.

With gratitude,

Robyn xx