The more I know you, the more I want to know you… Livonne

I slept like a log last night. When I woke up this morning, I was feeling good. I went down for breakfast and had a cup of tea, then waited for the boulangerie produce to get here, so it was a nice and leisurely morning. Then when the baguettes hit, I had one with butter and vegemite. (yes, the vegemite was brought from home.. by us and by Tania)

These were the best baguettes yet. They were so delicious. I suddenly realise why bread is such a serious business here. They know how to elevate a simple loaf to new heights. After that, I had another cuppa and then another cuppa again. It was a very leisurely morning. I asked David to drive me to a nearby canola field so I could take some photos as I have an idea brewing which involves everyone who is living here at the Chateau. So ladder on board so I could angle the shot, we went and did that quickly, then headed back here to work again.

I realised after the first night that my bedroom has a stunning painting on the ceiling of clouds and leaves. It’s delightful to wake up to. I also have the most gorgeous red curtains at my window. Everything about my room is a feast for the eyes so I went back up there to take some more pictures. If I could take this room home to my place, I definitely would. But I at least had to show you the ceiling panel, so I laid on my back on the floor to try to get the whole thing in shot. Trouble was, then I had to get back up again and I’m not as young or agile as I once was. But after a bit of looking like a turtle trying to turn over, I managed. I’m just pleased no one was around to see it. It wasn’t pretty lol.

I also opened my windows and shot from there. I love looking at different angles of views. I love looking up and I love looking down. It’s an entirely new perspective to the usual straight ahead. Being up here looking down is so different to being on the ground. I took more photos of my bed and am seriously trying to work out how to fit it into my suitcase to take home. It’s my dream bed. I went back over to the studio and saw a single bed there which reminded me of the women on the front of old ships. Back outside, the moat is even more beautiful everytime I look at it and more so from different angles.

I was much more motivated today and my knees were cooperating a whole lot more thank goodness. I am climbing the copious amounts of stairs without anywhere near as much pain now that the bruising has started to show itself. I went for a walk around the property again, but going a bit further this time as I was moving a lot more freely. Everything is just coming into bloom and it is so beautiful to be part of.

I visited the sauna room but didn’t take a sauna as they are way too hot for me. I prefer being cool. But every wall, every fence, every gate and everywhere you look is just a photographers dream. It is full of life and you can feel the history in every stone. We say ‘if these walls could talk’ well if you listen closely, I believe they can. There is a glorious large bench at the end of the garden and so many bits and pieces that I missed the first few days. It is all so overwhelming. There is so much to look at that it will take a full two weeks to really see even half of it. What a glorious dilemma to have.

The chateau is called Chateau de Cerisay which basically means house of cherries . That is apt considering all the cherry blossoms, so I went on a bit of a reconnoitre mission to see what would be good to include in images. But what here COULDN’T be used in images.. The place is divine.. I know I use that word a lot but it’s true. This chateau if full of artefacts, history, beauty and right now, talented artists.

As I was wandering around outside, a gentleman from the property next door came over with a bucket of eggs for us. I couldn’t speak french. He couldn’t speak english but we both knew what the other meant. He was offering kindness and I, gratitude in return. Some things don’t need to be said to be obvious. We are still all trying to sort out the layout of the chateau as there are many staircases, some leading to the same place, others not so much. We know there are a few rooms in the attic which we haven’t seen but have been looking at them from the outside wondering what the access points are.

I came downstairs again after a while and everyone was converging for lunch, so we all sat around over a bowl of soup and chatted. The thing is here, I want to make art, don’t get me wrong. But I want to spend time with these people and learn more about them. They are talented, vibrant, fantastic and complicated people who’s stories keep coming out as we get to know each other. And the more I get to know them, the more I WANT to know about them. They are just a fantastic group of people. I truly hope that these bonds stay long after we leave here.

I spent the afternoon just doing some planning and I finally have almost all my work planned out. Art isn’t always a matter of putting something on paper, but getting the ideas straight in your own head and forming the story before those thoughts become something tangible. And thats where I was today. Just trying to sort my thought processes out.

I want to make an image of everyone here to commemorate how important this time is to me. While it is definitely my thought process which will bring the images to life, it is also so important to me that I portray everyone in a way which brings their personalities to the fore so I wanted them to discuss what they would like too. Otherwise, I could use anyone as a model and it wouldn’t matter. But when I am old and grey (oh hang on, I already am).. Okay so when I’m older and greyer, I will still remember this time here and I want to look at these images and remember not just how these incredible people looked, but how incredible they actually WERE!!!!

Already I am getting to know some backstories which aren’t mine to tell, but I so appreciate the trust involved in telling them. It’s not always easy to open your heart enough to let someone share your story, so the fact that on day 4 that is happening says so much about the bonds already being formed. I am seeing so much art taking shape but more important are the discussions about the art. Everyone is speaking to others about what they are doing and looking for input along the way.

The input has nothing to do with them being unsure of their own ability or decisions but more about learning about another person’s process so you can learn from them. It is a mutual respect for another person’s art practise and way of thinking. I love this. A few of us enjoyed an afternoon wine while we chatted while others worked away in the loft studio with the amazing chandeliers.

Before long it was dinner time and poor Gary who had been stuck with us for so long in the kitchen today as it seemed to be where many of us hung out, had prepared another stupendous meal. Tonight we had fish with a butter sauce, another delicious salad, a cous cous dish and cauliflower au gratin.. OMG.. All shades of delicious. This was followed up by red velvet cupcakes which, I’ll be honest, I’m not usually a fan of but these exceeded all expectations and I had two. Coupled with a rosé from the wine roulette, we finished the night with smiles on our faces. It is time to buy more wine as we’ve all been enjoying an afternoon tipple, leading into dinner and the wine is so amazing and way too easy to drink.

We had an interesting discussion about art and what it is and what it means to us. Everyone has different ideas and we can sometimes convey it in a way that may seem to be in contrast to our own, but I think deep down, we all feel the same, just with differing ways of getting our feelings across. But art is subjective, it is personal and it is the reason we are all here. And I’m so glad we are.

Tomorrow we are heading to Mont St Michel and I am beyond excited. I have always wanted to go there. I can’t wait to experience this world heritage site for myself and to steep myself in it’s existence. It is in Normandy and as we near ANZAC day, my thoughts will be with those who fought here and were involved in the D Day landings at Normandy. They sacrificed so much to protect our futures. My grandfather fought in France in WW1 and I am so humbled to be in this country at this time of year.

I will need my beauty sleep as it will be a long day tomorrow.. So for now..

Happy getting to know you…. Livvy xxx