Day 12
Open Studios & Artist Talks
Today was Open Studios and Artist Talks here at Château Orquevaux—the culminating chapter in this residency and, in many ways, the emotional heart of the experience.
The artist talks were held first. One by one, we stood before the group and tried to put into words what brought us here, what we’d hoped to uncover, and what the residency had stirred in us. Some spoke with clarity and confidence, others with tears (including me!) that took us all with them. We heard stories of grief and healing, of creative rebirth, of fear and freedom. It wasn’t a performance—it was a series of offerings, each one brave and deeply human.
As for me, I spoke of the challenges and shifts I’ve experienced—working with an injured hand, adapting my practice, leaning into a looser, more expressive style, and finding new joy and discomfort in equal measure. I spoke about my quiet garden paintings—the influence of my mother on my love for gardening and the lessons I have learned from it.
It was grounding to share this with others. The studio, usually a private, internal place, was opened up—gently, respectfully—and allowed to speak. I was proud of what I had created, not for its perfection, but for the way it marked my time here.
Next up: the studio visits. There’s something sacred about seeing a studio transformed for visitors. Each of us spent the morning preparing our spaces—hanging work, rearranging materials, setting out sketchbooks and reference photos, curating not just the art, but the atmosphere. The rooms spoke volumes: some neat and minimal, others alive with colour and chaos. Together they formed a patchwork of intention, exploration, and vulnerability.
The diversity of work on show was striking. There were delicate line drawings, expressive abstract canvases, striking prints, textile pieces stitched with memory, and handmade books whispering with quiet intimacy. And then there were the writers—poets, memoirists, and novelists—sharing carefully chosen excerpts, words distilled from weeks of quiet labour and personal reflection. There’s something beautiful in seeing how different creative minds respond to the same place. Château Orquevaux gives us all the same tools: time, space, silence, beauty. And yet we each carve out a completely different path through it.
Today, those paths converged—if only for a few hours—and we were able to witness the sum of it. It was a celebration, a reflection, and a goodbye all wrapped into one.
And tomorrow… the packing begins.
With love from Orquevaux.
Robyn xx
