Gemini.H

Mawddach is very special to me as it was my very first artist residency.

I carefully selected this place after finding about Draw Brighton and following their monthly online artist interviews for almost a year.

There, I discovered the work of our hosts Jake and Scarlett, and subsequently the posts from artists who had stayed at Mawddach in the past. Everything I could read and see sparked more than just interest in me; it created a genuine connection, and my instinct was right.

Jessica, (my co resident who met me on the train halfway through our journey) and I were greeted with open arms by Scarlett and Jake on the station platform, and I knew right away that we were going to have two extraordinary weeks.

Our welcome dinner felt more like a meal between old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time, and from the very first day, I felt completely at home, facing the sea, surrounded by nature, with an incredible view from the studio , which whatever the weather, made me want to curl up by the window and imprint in my mind every inch my eyes could take in.

Before leaving home, I decided that the residency would be two weeks of research, exploration, experimentation, and immersing myself in the place and the present moment.

I savored every second;  our dinners at our hosts' home after modeling for the portrait class, my visit to their future school, fish and chips with the girls before drawing their friend Enfys from life in a church, sharing curry and fantastic anecdotes with their friend and artist Kate Boucher, feeding dozens of birds every morning at the kitchen window, and sharing hot chocolate outside to celebrate the first day of Imbolc.

I loved this freedom to settle in the studio to paint, draw, sculpt, or in the living room to read a book (which I was never able to finish because there were so many choices that I started several at the same time), to go to the woods or to the beach to collect branches, leaves and shells, or simply to admire the view.

Sometimes I wandered alone to clear my head, or with Jess to chat about anything and everything, to share ideas over brunch in town, or simply to marvel at the beauty and tranquility of the place.
Every seashell, sketch, and thought is now a priceless treasure that transports me, for a fleeting moment, to this little corner of Wales.

I learned something very special during those two weeks at the Mawddach Residency: the importance of a supportive environment where shared ideas are celebrated and respected.

Even now, every morning I look at the lithograph and the message on the back, a gift from Scarlett and Jake, to convince myself that this adventure wasn't a dream, and I regret not having followed through on my initial idea to hide in one of the wardrobes, and never to return to France.

Gemini.H
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