Day 2
A new studio, a new start
When I arrived yesterday, I walked up the long gravel path and saw it—the Château. A beautiful old building sitting among rolling green hills and quiet vineyards. It took my breath away. I actually stopped in my tracks.
I’m staying in a beautiful guest house in the little village just outside the gates. Less than 70 people live here - back when the Chateau was built, workers and tenants would have resided here. My cottage, La Maison du Jardinier, aptly translates to The Gardener’s House, and is large, warm and quiet, with windows and shutters that open to the trees and birdsong. The perfect place to retreat to after long days filled with painting and conversation with other creatives.
Last night, we all met for the first time—musicians, writers, poets, painters. All of us here for the same reason: to create and take two or more weeks away from everyday life and pour ourselves into our work. Everything is supplied here to allow us to focus solely on our work - and the meals are delicious. There’s even a Wine Cave to help yourself to if you’re in the mood.
This morning I finally set up my studio space in the old stables. It’s a huge space with high ceilings, thick stone walls, and light that spills in from centuries-old French doors. There’s a quiet energy to the space. Like it's held years of creative effort. I could almost feel the hum of ideas waiting for me - encouraging and intimidating in equal measure.
I started by pinning a blank canvas to the wall. Then I laid out my brushes and tubes of paint, trying to create some kind of order among the chaos of materials I brought. I stood back and looked at the empty canvas, and something inside me hesitated. I’ve been wanting to try something different—bigger brushes, looser strokes, less planning. But actually doing it felt risky.
I looked at that canvas for quite some time, then took a breath and closed my eyes as a quote from Van Gogh came to mind:
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
I picked up the biggest brush I had and made the first mark.
Just like that, the silence broke.
Here’s the progress from my day - drawing up and the beginnings of an underpainting. A long way to go but a good start. What do you think?
More photos are available in my story on Instagram. You can view that HERE.
Until tomorrow…
Robyn xx
