Testimonials
Testimonials
‘My residency at Studio Faire was nothing short of delightful…’
Jaclyn Piudik, 2025
My Studio Faire residency was exactly what I needed. The hours of quiet; the beautiful and peaceful house and gardens; the exquisite care provided by Julia and Colin; and the collective encouragement and inspiration from my fellow artist-residents all contributed to the perfect conditions for supporting my work. I arrived with the intention of reinitiating a flagging effort on a new novel, and I made tremendous progress. The Studio Faire reset was so substantial that I’ve been able to keep up the momentum since I returned. I’m very grateful, and I hope to be back.
In my experience, independence was the most important ingredient to writing well at Studio Faire. While there, I experienced rich moments of social connection, whether eating dinner with other residents and our hosts, interacting with kind local folks, or sharing what we produced at the end of the residency. At the same time, as a writer, you’re given a lot of space, as well as many literal writing spaces, to just do the writing. So, a lot depends on the will of the writer to find motivation and seek out inspiration. I would recommend this residency for writers who value autonomy.
Thankfully, Studio Faire is a motivating and inspiring place. In Nérac, there are panoramic views of the old town, side streets for getting lost, neighborhood cats, farmer’s markets, baguettes and the best pastries of your life, green walks along the river with birds, vintage shopping, small souvenirs and postcards in corner shops, cafes for cold drinks and people-watching, local restaurants that have homemade hummus and sorbet and more. It’s easy to feel grateful for the everyday rhythms of Nérac and how they influence your mood while you’re writing.
The tone within the residency chateau is set by the hosts, who are frankly just cool-ass people. Listening to music produced by Julia and Colin was a highlight of my time. Many modes of creative expression were taking place simultaneously at Studio Faire. That exchange of energy felt exciting and propulsive, even when we were focused on our own projects. Because most residents are in one wing of the main house, this residency attracts people who also value conscientiousness about shared living spaces.
The residency at Studio Faire is not just a place for producing writing (though it is that, thankfully). The residency is a whole bundle of positive memories, a whole circle of connections that I carry with me. I will continue to look back fondly at the photographs (so many of Julia and Colin’s pets!) to access it all.
Studio Faire is an artistic achievement unto itself.
‘Many modes of creative expression were taking place simultaneously at Studio Faire. That exchange of energy felt exciting and propulsive…’
Marnie Ritchie, 2025
Studio Faire is not only a deeply relaxing and inspiring place to work, but it’s also enriched by the warm, welcoming presence of Colin and Julia, who go above and beyond to make guests feel at home. Some of my favorite moments were the spontaneous conversations that unfolded in the garden or during quiet pauses between creative bursts. I don’t approach residencies expecting major breakthroughs in my writing, but the best ones naturally create space for both practice and presence of mind. Studio Faire strikes that perfect balance.
In the center of all of this is identity. The experience of leaving one’s personal environment and entering new territory opens the mind and allows light in. In that light we engage in our work, be it a specific project or experimentation and exploration. Whatever the task and the outcome it is influenced by the ability to unwind and understand that as artists we are so lucky to be supported enough to feel the gates open.
In my everyday life I have often felt the challenge of time, of being the artist, of weaving through the mire in search of occasional clarity. Studio Faire is where the planets align and the universe feels accessible, where that clarity is possible, and actually where things matter less. It is the ease that speaks loudest and everything else falls into place.
I am so thankful to Julia and Colin for their ability to have made this their creative environment through grit and hard work, and to have applied their strengths in order to share with others what they do. This is what makes Studio Faire different from other residencies. There is an ongoing river of ideas and personal touches, sacrifice and generosity…all with a huge amount of humor and good spirit. The ripple effect follows us home and turns up in unforeseeable directions. I write this as an official Studio Faire veteran, and I possess a nugget of contentment and gratitude that I have a place that is rich in the sustenance that we all desire as creative people.
‘…a huge amount of humor and good spirit…’
Deborah Whitney, 2025
My stay at Studio Faire was nothing short of magical. Set in a French village torn straight out of a storybook, I spent my mornings writing in what I referred to as “The Secret Garden” — eating hand-picked cherries from the garden’s trees, no less — and my afternoons strolling the nearby river. In the evenings, the residents — some of whom I now consider lifelong friends — would gather and chat about everything from the work we’d completed, to our favourite art installations, to the latest episode of Survivor. Colin and Julia were gracious and generous hosts, and added greatly to the whole experience. If I ever have the opportunity to return to Studio Faire, I’d take it in a heartbeat.
‘I made new friends from all over the world and felt taken care of during my stay.’
Julia Kooi Talen, 2025
Studio Faire beat every expectation for me. Colin and Julia are the most gracious hosts, and have created the ideal environment to bring your creative ideas to life: I arrived with a digital heap of scattered thinking around a writing project that I wanted to untangle, and within days I had tapped into a clear (and very rare) focus that set the foundation for my debut into feature writing. The town itself is also beautiful: I’d start my mornings with a walk along the Baïse and have breakfast in the backyard before settling into the Bureau to write. In the evenings, I loved connecting with the other creatives about what they were working on that day. That made the experience so special. I will dream about my days in Nérac until the day I can come back.
Two weeks spent at Studio Faire was more than just a lovely and selfish Art-holiday. The cozy small room above the spacious studio were the perfect setting for me to explore and create the short series that I had planned. I needed the freedom, but also the support of Colin and Julia, the atmosphere of camaraderie, the old stone house, the birds, the orchard and the lovely town of Nérac nearby. With some excursions offered by Colin plus my daily walks, I had the chance to immerse myself in the French culture and express my childhood memories with photos and paint. I would invite anybody to go to Studio Faire for a personal Artist Residency; they will never regret it!
My two week stay at Studio Faire was wonderful. Good and inspiring company, great working conditions and beautiful surroundings. And of course the warm hospitality and attention of Julia and Colin. Highly recommended.
Studio Faire was a dream come true for me! Colin and Julia magic up the perfect environment for whatever creative pursuit you have, with a mixture of downtime and welcoming rituals to lift your spirits. Nérac itself is an idyllic place with a handful of bars and restaurants to dip into when you need a little social time or people-watching to get the creative juices flowing. The slow-paced stay was a breath of fresh air from my 9-to-5 that allowed me to freely brainstorm and flesh out my novel structure (in the amazing Usher Hall). This is something I can only do in snatches at home, so having freedom of time and space was so beneficial for me. The experience was also really validating, with me still exploring my identity as a writer. Having two other wonderful creatives there alongside me gave me someone to relate to about my writing journey – we all found ourselves rooting for each other in the process. I’ll cherish the memories I made at Studio Faire and look forward to returning!
‘A five star experience.’
Anne Laurel Carter, 2025
My time at Studio Faire was inspiring and powerful on every level, both personally and professionally. As a curator, creative producer, and writer, I am pulled in many directions that often prioritize my support of other artists and their projects rather than my own creative practice. It was hugely rewarding to devote two uninterrupted weeks to a writing and archival project that can be difficult to find enough time for amidst work and the day to day of life.
In my time at Studio Faire, I was moved to think more deeply about my project, and I was motivated to write more and better. I was energized by the sun (even in mid-winter!), beautiful house and surrounding town, a slower pace of life, friendliness and camaraderie of fellow residents, and the warmth and hospitality of Julia and Colin. You really feel this place was built by artists, for artists. You feel seen, acknowledged, and supported.
An extra big thanks to Colin for the day trips and excursions and his help with some of my ancestral research in the region! And for his professional photo portraits of all the residents!
I am so grateful for my time at Studio Faire and all that it gave me, and I hope to return one day. I would recommend it in a heartbeat to writers and artists of any discipline and career stage.
‘…You really feel this place was built by artists, for artists. You feel seen, acknowledged, and supported…’
Roya Amirsoleymani, 2025
‘…a home away from home…’
Caitlin Wilby, 2024
I had an amazing time at Studio Faire. Colin and Julia are the perfect hosts, giving ample time and space for work and solo exploration while also being incredibly available when needed. They are also just loads of fun to spend time with. The place is simply gorgeous and I got a ton of work accomplished. I really hope to come back again!
‘The place is simply gorgeous and I got a ton of work accomplished.’
Molly Larkey, 2024
This residency provided not only a dedicated space for creative exploration but also a vibrant community of fellow artists who inspired me. When I wasn’t working in the studio, I spent mornings and afternoons exploring the town, getting lost among medieval and Renaissance architecture, taking in the beautiful interiors and stained-glass windows of the chapels, or walking along the river and through the Parc Royal de la Garenne.
Julia and Colin were wonderful! Their warmth and attention to detail created an inviting atmosphere that encouraged creativity and exploration. Their genuine passion for supporting artists was evident in every interaction. What stood out most to me was their commitment to each artist’s individual journey. They took the time to understand our unique visions and provided a supportive space that helped us push our creative boundaries.
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in Studio Faire. Thank you, Julia and Colin, for this transformative experience!
“If there exists a more perfect artist residency than Studio Faire with Colin and Julia in Nérac, I don’t know where that is.”
Susan April, 2024
Home away from home is what Studio Faire feels like to me. This was my second residency and just as wonderful as the first. I had the space to develop my ideas and the time to work with no distractions while staying in Faire Deux for the first two weeks. Then I moved into The Usher Hall. The time spent with the other residents was full of sharing ideas, collaborative work and learning from artists, writers and musicians. Spending time in the community for markets, Bastille Day and the Tour da France made me feel like a local.
The deeply inspired space allows for deep concentration, creativity and productivity. I was constantly surprised at how much I was able to accomplish while enjoying myself so much. Nérac is perfectly picturesque and easy to navigate – it felt like visiting a storybook town. My daily long walks along the river were especially lovely, a great opportunity to recharge after a long day.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent two weeks with Colin and Julia (+ Dougie) at Studio Faire and look forward to returning at the earliest possible date!
“…we were treated to such generous and enthusiastic hospitality that extended through every moment of our stay.”
Molly Prather, 2024
At Studio Faire, time truly felt like it was my own. I was able to immerse myself in my writing, while exploring this hidden gem of a town called Nérac. The best thing I got out of this residency was devising a routine for writing during my stay. A typical day consisted of a morning of revising draft poems, organizing my current chapbook manuscript, and generating new ideas. Afterwards I would venture off into Nérac. The most impressive feat of this small town would be the omnipresent character of the long river called the Baïse that runs through the town. It felt like this river followed me wherever I wandered. It sourced through the commune like a pulse. In that moment, embracing the grandeur of where I was, I allowed myself the permission to abandon everything else and just simply exist for my writing.
Julia and Colin were amazing hosts, and I’m grateful for them in letting me into their home and this slice of paradise. I truly admire what they are doing: creating and cultivating a space where artist from different disciplines and walks of life can truly thrive. Faire in French means make. That’s exactly what I got to do during these unencumbered two weeks. Write for the sake of writing.
I relished in my thought-provoking discussions with my fellow resident, Rob Kitsos. Other than updating each other on the progressions of our projects, we discussed our mutual love with geometric linguistics, ekphrasis methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the arts. I even got the opportunity to collaborate on Rob’s “Moving Matter” research by writing a found poem on spatiality based on Rob’s work.
All in all, Studio Faire is an amazing space that allows you to curate a residency experience towards your needs and wants. For me that was balancing my own creative practice, wanderlust, and collaborating ideas with the like-minded individuals who I shared a home with. I hope to return one day. I know there are exciting developments happening at Studio Faire and I can’t wait to watch its growth as an arts and culture space.
“…this slice of paradise”
Winston Lê, 2024
Works as Advertised: And Goes Far Beyond
I went to Studio Faire with an untested concept for a novel and came back with twelve chapters, a laser focus on the project, and new friends who feel like old friends. The pace of life in Nérac allows for a completely personal work schedule. From the expansive and private back garden of the Studio Faire house, to the river walk, to the lovely views and old buildings, to the delightful restaurants and farmer’s market on Saturday, this experience was one of the best of my professional and personal life.
It’s hard to overstate the positive energy of the people and place. I was walking along the river path with the other artists, and we came upon a view of the bridge that was so gorgeous we all stopped in awe, and one of them said, “This is too perfect. It’s a cliché.” But there it is: a perfect bubble of time and space that belongs to you, a time to let go of everything else, a time to forget that there is any world outside this place and your own ideas.
As I told Colin and Julia, only half in jest, “If you don’t love this, maybe you’re the problem.”
‘…a time to forget that there is any world outside this place and your own ideas.’
Julie Price Carpenter, 2023
The house is beautiful and spacious with a glorious big garden with plenty of out door spots to work and contemplate and if you are lucky watch the red squirrels playing in the trees.
I found my two week stay there was the perfect balance between lone time and social time, I spent some fun evenings with Colin, Julia and co residents, but there was no pressure either way. Very relaxed.
Thank you Julia and Colin for welcoming me to your home and creating such a fabulous creative space, I hope to be back.
‘…it was a haven of tranquility but not isolated.’
Katie Mawson, 2023
I spent a productive two weeks at Studio Faire, researching and writing my current historical novel-in-progress. Hosts Julia and Colin were warm and welcoming and made it easy to get down to work. Nérac is a lovely town with enough to keep you diverted when you need it, but with a slower pace than a large city, and the people are friendly. I’ve already booked a return visit in 2025.
My Studio Faire residency was a 2-week creative feast that will continue to nourish my soul for many moons. Colin and Julia are gracious hosts and artistic dynamos, who have lovingly breathed a special kind of magic and energy into every fiber of Studio Faire making it like a petri dish for rampant creative growth.
I am so grateful for my time at Studio Faire where I was able to selfishly dedicate the days and nights to not only work within the comfort zone of my craft but to push out into the unknown and take a stab at doing something different.
I applied with a deep need to work on my own story and nurture my own artistic needs, and left with enough momentum to keep a clear focus on it. I also loved my fellow residents and the charming town of Nérac with all of its characters! I felt like I was in a wonderful dream for 2 weeks!
‘…I felt like I was in a wonderful dream…’
Christina Burtner, 2023
My month at Studio Faire was everything I’d hoped: productive but restful, solitary but social. There was time each day to work and read and think and nap and walk—and then come home to laughter in the garden. Colin and Julia are wonderful, easygoing hosts who were the perfect point of entry to a new community full of lovely folks. They took us on some fun and inspiring day trips while also leaving us to establish whatever creative routines we needed. Nérac itself is a magical place, easy to navigate and full of history and beauty (and the best baguettes ever), the perfect backdrop to creative exploration.
Colin and Julia were the perfect hosts for my two-week residency at Studio Faire. They started and ended the residency with a dinner attended by the current residents, and it was lovely to compare that first get-to-know-you dinner with the high frivolity of the last dinner when we shared food we’d made, played a fast-paced game of card Monopoly, drank Aperol spritzes, and played Colin’s drum box along to recordings of our favorite Indie songs.
Julia and Colin shared their home with the residents with perfect grace, told us about the best boulangerie to buy bread, and reminded us to set our alarms for the Saturday farmer’s market so we didn’t miss it. They found the nearest flea market when we asked and arranged a little outing for us to go, took us to a ceramic fair in a nearby village another afternoon, and even to Bordeaux for the day when Colin had a chore to run there.
We were free to go along or to stay and work, as we pleased. There was no pressure to produce or to talk about our various projects, and because of that, we invariably did spend time with our fellow residents hashing out sticky creative problems, discussing our goals, and sharing work. The relaxed come-and-go-as-you-like atmosphere of Studio-Faire was ideal for me. I could work in private for hours in my bedroom or the little studio under the stairs, and then take a break and recharge by exploring the town or talking a walk. One day, my fellow resident and I carried our laptop and sketch book to one of the charming locations along the local canal and worked there. It’s one of my favorite “magic” moments of my time there, as is trying tomato-and-basil ice cream at a local restaurant known for its unusual flavors.
This isn’t my first residency and what I’ve found is that residencies make-it or break-it on the people you share time with at them. I’m so glad that Colin and Julia have opened their home to other creatives, and grateful that I am one of the people who have gotten to have the Studio-Faire experience. It was a great two weeks all around – productive, fun, and interesting.
I had a very productive and enjoyable time at Studio Faire. The old French house and extensive garden made a beautiful environment to work in and to react to.
The atmosphere was really conducive to getting work done. Julia and Colin were friendly and helpful and it was also great to have the company of the other residents.
I loved the calm simplicity of my little room – it was part of the much simpler life it was possible to lead. Day to day living took much less time and everything was easier. I was also really pleased that parts of the house started to chime with what I was doing – that was a real unexpected bonus allowing me to photograph my work in those environments.
The north facing work space meant that I could keep cool on really hot days and it was well suited to what I wanted to do in it.
And of course, there’s a whole lovely little part-Medieval town to explore with lots of interesting architectural structures and patterns and a great Saturday market.
‘Day to day living took much less time and everything was easier.’
Esmé Clutterbuck, 2025
I absolutely loved my experience at Studio Faire and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been selected to be there. It felt like the right conditions for me to focus without distractions and also have access to a beautiful living space (loved my naps in the sunny gardens with Dougie and the felines), a charming French town and the supportive and warm company of Julia and Colin- always there for us. I was in the Garage Studio- a room with tons of history and mystique. It’a a great raw space. I felt like I could really work with abandonment and freedom. I also collaborated with my fellow resident Winston. Julia connected us before the residency and we had a great time working together on research and sharing ideas.
Nérac is an amazing place. It has an older section with a stunning church, bridges and cobble stone alleyways, bakeries, shops and really good restaurants. The light at dusk was so beautiful in that town, a perfect escape from hours in the studio. The Saturday market was also amazing- best pulled pork ever…
Julia and Colin are great hosts. They felt like family. They helped me with my web sites and gave me valuable feedback on my work. I was also inspired by both their own individual practices and their beautiful home showcases their work- so much creativity and inspiration.
This is a special place and great environment for artists to focus- and I hope to go back with another project!
My time at Studio Faire was productive beyond my imaginings. This was almost entirely due to Julia and Colin, who have thought of everything necessary to create a welcoming, nurturing, peaceful space for creation. I enjoyed the good fellowship of other gifted artists; and I enjoyed the respectful quiet that is so essential for creative work. The town is splendid, just enough to do if you want to take a break but not so much to do that it becomes a distraction. I left after ten days with eighty pages and a longing to hurry back, especially for the companionship of Dougie, the resident Labrador. It was a magical, perfect time for me.
‘…I enjoyed the respectful quiet that is so essential for creative work…It was a magical, perfect time for me.’
Mark Sarvas, 2025
The three weeks I was fortunate to spend at Studio Faire were more than I had hoped for. The profound pleasure of waking up each morning in a beautiful historic house in a beautiful historic town in southwestern France, knowing my studio was steps away and that I could spend as much time there as I chose was a dream come true. Nérac is a magical place, and staying so close to town offered lots of opportunity to explore, take photos and hunt for collage materials to inspire my work. Side trips with Julia, Colin and the other resident artists broadened my appreciation of the region and provided the perfect balance between work and play. I came home energized, inspired and ready to do it all again.
‘I came home energized, inspired and ready to do it all again.’
Julie Bell, 2023
My residency at Studio Faire was a wonderful two weeks of work and camaraderie. I appreciated the interdisciplinary venue of writers, musicians and visual artists creating together. My work reflects a love of text and music so finding connections through sharing creative processes was extremely valuable. Julia and Colin have created a magical, comfortable setting in a beautiful town that gave me the freedom and comfort to create.
My residency at Studio Faire was all I hoped for and more; on day one I was surprised how easy it was to dive into my work, on day three I noticed I was singing in the kitchen, for me the ultimate sign I felt competely at home! Need I say more? What is it about the house that radiates creative energy? Julia and Colin who’ve found a perfect balance between being welcoming hosts and giving all the space and time you need for your work? Dougie the dog’s sweet presence? The easy going and fun contact with my fellow residents, or Nérac’s medieval architecture and amazing king’s hunting grounds-park? The enormous garden? Of course all of this together contributed to the two wonderful and fruitful weeks I had at Studio Faire!
‘…I was singing in the kitchen, for me the ultimate sign I felt competely at home! ‘
Noor van der Brugge, 2023
My residency had a nice balance of lack of distraction when working, and laid-back things to do when I needed a break. With 2 other artists in residence, there are enough humans about that you don’t feel isolated. The work areas are separated enough from each other that you aren’t aware of the other folk when you are all working.
Studio Faire is on the edge of Nérac, a charming town with a Saturday market. There are 3 bakeries within trivial walking distance of Studio Faire, with supermarkets within a “go out for a wander” distance, and a lovely river walk. You definitely do not need a car or bike. There are a number of restaurants worth trying.
Julia and Colin are wonderful, supportive hosts — the encouragement I received was a little overwhelming, if anthing!
I had The Usher Hall, which fronts on to the main road into town, so you do hear traffic sounds, on the level of beachfront surf. When I needed more quiet to wrestle with a technical issue, I could work in the large garden, with Dougie the dog to explain my current technical issues to.
I worked on 4 new pieces while at Studio Faire, completing two which I included in my show. So, a success!
Julia and Colin’s love of their home is infectious. The residency is in the charming, historical village of Nerác, and just a short walk to several cafes, a grocery, and all amenities. This part of France is truly special–untouched, non-touristy, and humming with vibrance and authenticity. I did some walking and exploring, but mostly I allowed the quietude and history of the region to infuse my sense of being. On my very first day there, I experienced a surprising new clarity about my next book, and I was able to spend several hours a day revising and visualizing.
As an added delight, I became close with the other two residents, painter Chris Lock and poet Bailey Martin. We enjoyed cross-generational conversations over wine and coffee that inspired my thinking and helped to offset the solitary hours of writing. My next book is about women and feminism across generations, and the honesty of our conversations provided a quiet validation that this book could someday resonate with readers. I am grateful to my fellow residents for their openness, and for commitment to themselves as artists.
And I am very grateful to Julia Douglas and Colin Usher for opening their home, for being fellow artists, and for offering us the space to dream, refine, and actualize our projects. I highly recommend Studio Faire—whether you are beginning a project, or in the thick of one. I hope to return again someday.
My previous Studio Faire testimonial proved prophetic when late-developing travel plans—and Julia’s efforts to find a time that worked with my itinerary—allowed me to return to the lovely French farmhouse in the town that was once Henri IV’s country home. My second residency surpassed the first one, which is both surprising, as good as the first one was, and not surprising at all. Before I arrived in August, I had been stuck in a long writing slump. The tranquil atmosphere of the house itself, Nérac’s historic charm, the comradery of fellow artists, and the welcoming, supportive demeanor of Julia and Colin all combined to free up my writer’s block immediately. I worked steadily and productively for the full two weeks, and I am happy to report that the momentum from my time at Studio Faire has carried over into the months that followed and it still with me.
As a two-time resident, I have a deep appreciation for just how special a place Julia and Colin have created at Studio Faire. Twice now, I have experienced their unique ability to mix three artists under one roof and achieve a delicate balance between giving three strangers the space to work, while also encouraging a sense of community and shared interests through time spent together at occasional meals and local events. I’ve written this before, and I’ll write it again here: Julia and Colin are consummate hosts because when they ask, “Are you good?” they are inquiring about everything from the work to navigating local customs to well-being and it’s clear they genuinely care about the answer.
My time at Studio Faire was a gift, in every sense of the word. Not only did I leave with renewed inspiration and a photography series — I came away with dear new friends and memories that I will keep close to my heart forever.
This was my first experience with any sort of artist residency and it blew me away. Julia and Colin have created the perfect environment that strikes the balance between a friendly, communal space and an enriching solo retreat. Their warmth creates a home-away-from-home and they are truly such helpful, wonderful hosts (who will introduce you to the best rosé!). They also were generous with feedback and ideas when I asked, in a way that made me feel like they were invested in my project. I felt very valued and cared for. I loved getting to know their beautiful community (especially the animals) — and I hope to return someday, if only to spend another evening chatting away on the porch.
The gorgeous space holds an inspiring sense of lived-in history. I loved learning about the property, settling into my gorgeous room, and going on explorative walks in Nérac. It feels straight out of a fairytale, caught between the past and present – the perfect spot to find artistic inspiration, and so many beautiful places to photograph. I felt a sense of independence and could spend each day as I pleased, which was a lovely change of pace. Julia and Colin really empower you to explore and discover Nérac for yourself.
I will always be grateful for this experience and will continue to rave about it to everyone who will listen. There is life-changing magic at Studio Faire!
‘There is life-changing magic at Studio Faire!’
Hanna Terwin, 2023
There was indeed something very special about my two weeks in Nérac. I arrived knowing I wanted to go on a different journey and a journey away from my usual large scale oil paintings. This took the form of 4 small hand made concertina ‘sketch’ books which I absolutely loved doing and have used as the basis for two workshops I’ve run since.
More than the magic that is Nérac (which is pretty magical) there was also my wonderful fellow residents, US writers Rachel Jamison Webster and Bailey Martin. They revived and inspired a rather deflated post Covid artist.
As artists, while we crave the solitude to be creative, doing ‘art’ can sometimes be a lonely trip. So I valued their company enormously.
Wine, fine food and a jazz festival also helped.
So, I can’t thank Julia and Colin enough. Thank you for being the perfect hosts and for giving me such a beautiful setting in which to work. Finally, thank you for the gift, of managing so well to put us likeminded fellow travellers together.
We all started as strangers and ended as friends.
Before Studio Faire, I thought two weeks to focus solely on my creative pursuits was a luxury. After Studio Faire, I realized it was a necessity. My time in Nérac felt like a walk through a cleansing fire. I dropped the baggage, the distractions, and the heaviness of life and returned to my center. Forever grateful to Colin and Julia for building the perfect container to re-connect with my creative core.
As someone whose day job is focused on reality that is virtual and intelligence that is artificial, I am deeply thankful for my one brief shining week at Studio Faire where I had the opportunity to re-immerse in the world of real, tactile, organic, and tangible creation.
Studio Faire has allowed me to sit, to think, and has given me the much-needed momentum to drive my short story forward. But it has also given me friendship and community in what would have been a beautiful but unfamiliar location. Where I would have been a tourist, I was a traveler. Where I would have been a technologist, I was a writer. Where I would have been an Other, I belonged.
The experience of spending time in magnificent Nérac with Julia, Colin, and the other resident artists (as well Dougie, Henri, Noushka), and hearing their stories of rebirth and renewal have inspired me to look inwards towards my own transformation, about what is possible if one lets the stars align.
The two weeks I spent at Studio Faire was one of those moments that I will never forget. A time of extreme work, of setting new goals and completing what was unfinished. Even today I remember with extreme gratitude, the inspiring landscape of the backyard, the sweetness of the pets, the silence and stillness so necessary for artistic creation.
Colin and Julia are lovely, extremely professional and helpful. Long live the residences of Studio Faire.
I went to Studio Faire to allow myself time to write, reflect on my novel-in-progress and to map out the world I am building over the entire book series. I came away with my soul refreshed and my spirits high – and a wonderful new portrait shoot that Colin so generously offered. I can’t thank Julia and Colin enough for allowing me to share this time with them. And I must also thank their friends who welcomed me with open hearts while I was there.
In the midst of a career shift back home, my summer at Studio Faire gave me the chance to focus on my relationship to writing, reimagining and reshaping my writing practice. I came to Studio Faire with a project in mind, but I gave it up two weeks into my five-week residency and began a new manuscript that merges my work as an essayist with my new career pursuit of psychoanalytic training. I would not have been able to imagine or start this new manuscript without having had the time to step away from the rest of my life and clear space for new possibilities. This was my second residency at Studio Faire, and once again I appreciated the no-pressure atmosphere that allows residents to be highly productive without the stress of achieving certain goals. Without any other obligations throughout the day, I found I had so much time for reading, writing, thinking, and imagining, as well as walks through town, impromptu and planned gatherings with other residents and folks in town, and inspiring local excursions. Plus, I got to see the Tour de France riders fly right by the front door of the residency (and nearly over my feet), something I’m not likely to experience again! It was a beautiful and productive time, and I look forward to another transformative experience at Studio Faire in future.
‘…I appreciated the no-pressure atmosphere that allows residents to be highly productive without the stress of achieving certain goals.’
Naomi Washer, 2024
Studio Faire is an extraordinary place, and I already know words will not suffice. But I’ll give it my best go. I had the unique joy of being in town for both the Tour de France (which passed right by the maison’s front doors!) and Bastille Day, which provided two wonderful chances right out the gate to meet friends and neighbors, become acquainted with the town, and get to know our hosts, Julia and Colin. I showed up exhausted, sweaty, and disoriented, but Colin and Julia welcomed me and made me feel comfortable immediately. Such wonderful folks who strike a perfect balance between offering warm, spirited company and allowing space for deep immersion in one’s work. Same with the fellow residents: I was able to meet two groups of great people with whom I dined, wandered town, and could volley ideas off of (and in whose direction I could grumble when the writing wasn’t going too well).
One of my goals at Studio Faire, beyond the work I brought with me, was to get to know the area as well as I could. I met English- and French-speaking residents, dined at nearly every restaurant I could find—some more than once—and spent lots of time outdoors, both on and off Studio Faire’s vast property wonderland. I also got great work done: I both edited and copy edited a manuscript of short stories, rewrote a novel draft, and began a new novel draft that I found spilled out of me. It’s easy to find inspiration and energy anywhere you look, and my favorite place to look was directly out my office window, at a giant tree and all the critters skittering in it.
Even if I hadn’t shown up with a docket full of tasks, I’m sure something new would’ve emerged out of all my wonder—a novel occurring in a small French town (although Chocolat beat me to the punch), or a short story about a traveler passing through, or a book chronicling the storied life of Studio Faire denizen Henri Quat’. Leaving Studio Faire after a mere three weeks felt like leaving a group of friends I’ve known for ten years. I can’t wait for the chance to come back and catch up, and I can’t thank the hosts enough for such a revelatory experience.
‘Leaving Studio Faire after a mere three weeks felt like leaving a group of friends I’ve known for ten years.’
Hayden Casey, 2024
Upon my arrival at Studio Faire for my residency, I immediately sensed a serene atmosphere. The charming town of Nérac, with its old-world allure and the calming presence of the river Baïse, provided the perfect setting for finding inspiration. Each day, I established a routine that nurtured my creative process and instilled in me the confidence to create without reservation.
Julia and Colin proved to be exceptional hosts, graciously welcoming me into their home. Their warmth and encouragement fostered an environment where I felt free to explore my artistic endeavors. I treasured collaborating with fellow residents and engaging in stimulating conversations. When I needed a break, the courtyard offered a delightful retreat, where I could recharge in the company of playful felines and Dougie.
Nérac itself served as an ideal subject for my pinhole photography and sketches. Its ancient cobblestone streets, bridges, churches, and architecture presented countless opportunities for exploration. However, it was the moments of peaceful contemplation—strolling along the river or witnessing the sunset over the bridge—that truly touched my soul.
Departing from Studio Faire was bittersweet, as I was filled with gratitude for the experiences and friendships I had gained. As I left, I knew that I was taking with me more than just memories—I was departing with a renewed sense of purpose and a portfolio of photographs and drawings that bore the imprint of this remarkable journey. Studio Faire will always hold a special place in my heart, and I eagerly anticipate my return, perhaps with a new project.
Studio Faire is a magical place to experience in Nérac, France. Julia and Colin embrace their guests, and open their home for an artistic adventure that allows one to create freely in this lovely space. Mostly for me, it was also being around these two creatives, and witnessing their joy when talking about their resident’s accomplishments and their boundless energy to maintain the activities that abounds. I also appreciated their generosity in sharing the history of Nérac and it’s local art scene. Their home welcomes the creative to explore the glorious vegetative yard, and their home is filled with their artwork and gifts from residents past. It was so inspiring to write there!
There is a shared kitchen which at times becomes a haven of laughter, and one is often coddled and comforted by the warmth of the smells of everyone’s cooking, which is often shared. Studio Faire and it’s surroundings prompted my urge to write beautiful poetry in the garden whenever the sun shone. I wrote prose about the Baïse River nearby, also inspired from my fabulous walks during the day:
“She strode along on the Baïse River bank. It was April in France, and only the sounds of the river cascading over a cement barge could be heard”.
If you are an artist of any medium, and want and need a quiet and charming space to create, with the most perfect hosts, come to Studio Faire! You will be welcomed into a delightful home of sheer creativity!
Why do we attend artist residencies? We need time to refocus, recharge, meet new people, experience new places and devote time to self. Studio Faire provides all of this and more in a serene environment of historic architecture, natural gardens, narrow streets, local food, and friendly people. My three-week stay was the perfect amount of time to explore a beautiful town in the south of France, concentrate on studio work and enjoy a simpler way of life, free from distractions. So much to see in this tiny town including river walks, markets, bakeries, churches, museum, cobblestone streets lined with thousand-year-old structures, and local food experiences. Mustard and tomato ice cream were just one example of unexpected surprises. Although I walked the town each day, I made new discoveries with each excursion that provided ongoing visual stimulation. Studio Faire is a place where meaningful friendships are made that fill the leisure hours with stimulating conversation and company. The residence living and working space is a well decorated, comfortable environment made even more inviting by the presence of two lovely cats and a dog. Colin and Julia are exceptionally welcoming and supportive hosts. They are creative individuals who are truly dedicated and committed to this initiative ensuring that your time will be productive, restorative, and memorable.
Studio Faire is a creative salve, a haven where residents are gifted space and time and beautiful surroundings in which to let their craft flourish. My days there were blissfully unstructured, though we all seemed to gravitate together in the evenings for wine and dinner and to discuss our ongoing work.
Colin and Julia are so warm and welcoming. Together, they have created something truly unique and special in Nérac. The grounds are vibrant, the house itself is a living sculpture, and the surrounding village is postcard picturesque. Any hint of writer’s block is quickly dispelled by a long stroll along the river or a drive to a nearby village.
Ultimately, Studio Faire gave me the opportunity to step away from the demands of my day-to-day life and wholly focus on editing my book. An epiphany or two struck me while I worked there – it must be all the good creative vibes seeping out of the walls from past residents.
My stay at Studio Faire was one of the best experiences of my life.
Not only did the beauty of the place exceed all my expectations, but above all the way Julia and Colin organized my stay there was perfect for me. I don’t know the last time I felt so relaxed and focused at the same time. It was possible to follow a completely unique rhythm, so that after three weeks I went home with the exhilarating feeling of having completed a manuscript, which is now the basis for further work. The casual contact with the other residents and the very sensitive attention from Julia and Colin made me feel protected and truly inspired. Nérac is also just the right mix of small, sleepy village and functioning city as a setting for artistic work that draws on both the present and the past. The large garden behind the house with all its old fruit trees became my dream place to write, always accompanied by the little white cat who showed me his climbing skills and often made me laugh.
I am very grateful and happy to have had this experience.
‘My stay at Studio Faire was one of the best experiences of my life.’
Johanna Pfau, 2023
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