Disclosure: I’ve been accepted into one of the Spring 2025 art residency cohorts at the Chateau d’Orquevaux.
I’m deep into planning what I want to make and write there. That entails my usual obsessive research.
I came across this enchanting little self-published book by well-known illustration artist Christina Wald.
Château d’Orquevaux, A Travelogue distills Wald’s July 2023 month-long trip to the same residency.
In it, the reader finds delicate ink and lush gouache sketches of Orquevaux, nearby towns, and day-trip adventures. Sketches of fellow artists, Chateau folk, tourists and denizens of the larger cities Wald visited.
A sober assessment of car rental in France, the mysteries of diesel engines, and how unforgiving France is about traffic violations (note to self, do not rent a car, but if you do, do it through CostCo.)
Wald’s wonder, joy, and wry humor are a rich part of this book, which was one of *her* residency pieces.
As a prospective resident, I’ve gained insight, encouragement, and a little insider knowledge.
Some future residency artists will want their experience to be a blank slate. Others, like me, will WANT this book.
Anyone interested in art, sketching, building their dreams, and European travel will find this little book a worthwhile purchase.
Here’s a link to Wald’s site and *signed* copies!