As well as making so many new friends, who now have this incredible bond- I had a personal experience with my creative practice while staying at the Chateau.

I have an Instagram reel about it if you want to hear me actually talk, but I can sum it up here as well.

I am a people pleaser, I’ve always tried to do what I feel other people need. And I feel like I’ve let that habit creep into my art as well. I wanted to use my time at the residency to find my joy again. I had lost that amazing spark that drove me to create. Losing yourself in a painting is such a wonderful feeling. 

I always listen to music and for me, painting is a purely happy experience. I can’t paint if I’m upset, sad, angry etc.

So it’s always come from a point of joy - and lately I have felt it’s been more like a job and I was starting to feel the grind.

The artists residency gave me that joy back. And that’s what I want to share with the world. As I said before, I’m a people pleaser- a jester, a nurturer, and I want people to feel good, lift their spirits, make them comfortable. And I want my art to be a part of that.

I worked on my artists statement while I was here and I’ll share it now: