The True Magic
“At Orquevaux, the conversations were as nourishing as the solitude of the studio.”
After ten days surrounded by artists and writers in a French château, I came home reminded of what truly fuels creativity—connection. The residency at Château d’Orquevaux was a reminder that art thrives not only in solitude but in shared moments of inspiration, conversation, and courage.
t’s been a week since I returned from the artist residency at Château d’Orquevaux in the Champagne region of France, and the magic is still settling in.
You might expect me to write about how inspiring it was—the art created, the meals shared, the wine, and the beauty of the countryside. All of that was true. But what made my heart sing most were the people.
In addition to the marvelous staff and the owners of the château, the twenty-six visual artists and writers I spent those ten days with were the true highlight. Several of us marveled at how rare it is to instantly like everyone in a group. Everyone! Even now, we’re still talking daily. Artists often work in solitude, so finding this kind of community felt like gold.
Between long creative hours in our studios, we found time to wander into each other’s workspaces, share walks through the gardens, gather for evening events, and, of course, connect over three beautifully prepared meals each day.
One evening, we celebrated the writers—wine and cheese in hand—as they read their incredible words aloud. Another night, we honored the visual artists at the Diderot Gallery exhibition. I’m still amazed that we all created full bodies of work in just ten days.
It went by so quickly that I don’t think any of us could fully grasp in the moment just how special it was. But I know we each left feeling more empowered, more connected, and more certain of our creative voices.
For me, it was the perfect beginning to a new season. This year has already brought so many milestones: a grant, a residency, and a deeper understanding of my work. I was reminded that I can photograph people anywhere—that what makes a portrait come alive isn’t the studio or the setup, but the connection with the person in front of me. That is my gift, and I’m ready to bring it to the West Coast.
The photos above were taken on the final day. I invited anyone who wanted to be photographed into my studio, and throughout the day I held space for each of these lovely souls. Not everyone is pictured, but they are all forever imprinted in my mind and heart.
the art
My art below that is now part of the permanent collection.
A blending of photographs and digital compositing.
