Reflections from Château Orquevaux: Creating, Connecting, and Finding Belonging in France
I’m currently attending an artist residency at Château Orquevaux, a breathtaking estate built in the late 1800s in the Champagne region of France.
The first week has flown by far too quickly. Alongside twenty-four other visual artists and writers, I’m surrounded by rolling hills, a serene pond, and pastures dotted with cows. We are spoiled daily with three delicious meals and a wine cellar that opens each evening, an atmosphere as rich as the land itself.
The rooms and studios are luxurious, but what stays with me most is the community. To share this experience with such talented, generous, and inspiring people feels like the greatest gift. I’m in awe of my residency mates and feel determined to carry these new friendships forward. Making new friends in these kinds of environments is one of the many highlights, with some connections sure to last a lifetime.
the work
Of course, residencies carry both beauty and challenge. As we move into the second week, the focus turns toward finishing the projects we came here to create. It’s daunting to produce a body of work in such a short time, but in a place this inspiring—with its quiet beauty and supportive energy—it feels possible. The challenge is part of the magic.
After the last few months of selling my house, holding the Wild Abundance exhibit, packing, and driving to Los Angeles, I hadn’t given much thought to what I would create here. I knew there was a costume closet in the château and thought it might be an interesting place to begin. It’s a big shift from my usual flower photography. What has emerged so far are early compositions—pieces that begin with costumes and objects found in the château’s basement, photographed and placed on a digital canvas.
This time has also given me space to reflect on where I belong. When I introduce myself, I find it hard to answer the question, Where are you from? I was born and raised in California, where I now live again, but New York will always be the place that grew me as an artist. That community and those opportunities are what made this residency possible. In truth, I feel like one of those expats who belongs not to one place, but to the thread of connection that ties them all together.
As this chapter in France unfolds, I look forward to sharing more of the work that emerges from this experience—the mix of beauty, nostalgia, and curiosity that only a place like Château Orquevaux can inspire.
And speaking of what’s next, I’ll be reopening my calendar when I return to California. I’m now booking portrait sessions in Los Angeles and Orange County. If you’ve been thinking of updated headshots, milestone portraits, or an intimate day-in-the-life session, you can reach out directly through my website or watch for announcements.
Thank you for following along on this journey. The final week at the château will be about finishing our projects and celebrating what we’ve each discovered—both in art and in ourselves.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
Christine Harris
Artist or Writer in Residence, 2025, Château d'Orquevaux International Artist and Writers Residency, France
Permanent Collection, Château d'Orquevaux, France