Shardaya in Paris: My Art Residency in France
Originally appeared in the 2026 Whitefield Magazine
During the summer of 2025, Upper School visual arts teacher Shardaya Jones had the opportunity to attend an arts residency at the Château d’Orquevaux in eastern France.
Art residencies give artists a dedicated period to create, explore, and deepen their practice. It offers a secluded space to experiment, connect with other artists, and pursue professional growth.
The Château d’Orquevaux program welcomes 25 international artists from a variety of disciplines to spend three weeks creating and learning together. Started in 2017, the award-winning program creates “a safe place to explore, contemplate and share ideas.”
Not only was this a life-changing experience for Jones, it also allowed her to better instruct her students when she returned to teach.
“Ms. Jones’ residency in France inspired me to stay true to my work, regardless of others’ opinions,” said Karson Lewis, one of her students. “Her determination to continue creating art that reflects her faith and on her own terms encouraged me to confidently do the same.”
“Seeing her remain steadfast inspired me to be more confident in my own faith, regardless of what others may say,” added Tori Grace Terry, another of Jones’ art students.
Prior to starting her residency, Jones had the opportunity to explore one of the most artistically-inclined cities: Paris. Here’s her journey first-hand.
Exploring Paris
I spent a few days in Paris with my sister and brother after an eight-hour flight from the United States. France is six hours ahead of Eastern Time, so adjusting took a while. However, the excitement made it worth it. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person was breathtaking. At night, sparkling lights illuminate the top of the structure. It truly felt magical.
As a foodie, trying new food was high on my list. In France, steak and fries are on almost every menu, and everything tasted clean, fresh, and savory. Chocolate croissants are now my favorite.
Before I left, [Fine Arts department chair] Mrs. Brown gifted me a mini sketchpad, which I brought with me everywhere on the trip. This made it easy to capture quick paintings to document everything I saw.
One of my favorite moments in Paris was taking a riverboat tour down the Seine with my family. From the river, we saw the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and Parisians enjoying riverside meals. On the tour, I had a moment to be still, paint, and take in the beauty of God’s creation. I was grateful for the opportunity He had given me.
Of course, there was shopping, too. I visited Galeries Lafayette and treated myself to a few items along the Champs-Élysées, a famous Parisian avenue known for its stores, restaurants, and landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe.
The Louvre: Art That Speaks
The Louvre was my favorite Parisian experience. We spent over three hours in the museum, and still felt rushed. The building itself is a work of art and I was constantly mesmerized by even the ceilings. The museum is massive and filled with rich art history and endless inspiration.
As a painter, I spent most of my time in the rooms dedicated to paintings. The “Mona Lisa” is small, but required a 30-minute wait to see up close. I learned that Leonardo da Vinci never actually finished the famous painting. He carried it with him until his final trip to France in 1516.
Aside from the paintings, one of my favorite pieces was “The Winged Victory of Samothrace”, a Greek sculpture of the goddess Nike dating back to the Hellenistic period. Nearby is “The Wedding Feast at Cana”, the largest painting in the Louvre, which many people often overlook. Seeing it reminded me how often we focus on what the world considers viral and miss the beauty right in front of us.
My Residency Begins
After Paris, I traveled two-hours to the Château d’Orquevaux. Located in the French countryside, the château offers creative space for artists and writers surrounded by natural inspiration and limited distractions.
The château itself is a five-story castle with bedrooms, suites, art studios, and quiet writing rooms. It was inherited by the owners, Ziggy and Beulah, who turned it into an artist residency because they are artists themselves.
Life at the château was intentionally slow. None of the rooms had televisions. Each night during dinner, everyone was asked to place their phones in a cubby to encourage presence. A chef prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and those shared meals led to meaningful conversations and community.
My studio, known as the Yellow House, was my creative home for three weeks. Located in the heart of Orquevaux, I shared the cozy space with two roommates. Orquevaux is a tiny commune, with a population of only about 60 people. It’s surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of lakes and cathedrals.
This environment was quiet, peaceful, and inspiring: ideal for focused creation.
Painting with God
I’m an abstract artist. My work explores faith as a believer in Jesus, capturing holy encounters through color and light. These color-field oil dreamscapes translate scripture, worship, prayer, and the culture of Christianity into visual form. The goal of my paintings is to communicate a vibrant, ethereal space between the natural and the supernatural.
I describe my process as “painting with God.” Each piece becomes a deliberate conversation between the artist, the viewer, and our Creator.
Since graduating from SCAD with my MFA in Painting in 2023, I have not created a complete body of work. Balancing teaching, life, and art is challenging. The residency gave me the freedom to create what God had placed on my heart.
In France, I began a new series inspired by hymns, incorporating pages from traditional hymn books into my paintings. These were songs I have heard all my life, now woven into visual form.
Painting is more than a hobby for me. It’s purpose and passion colliding, ministry through color.
“Ms. Jones’ residency in France this past year deeply inspired me to stay true to my work, regardless of others’ opinions. While presenting her art, she faced criticism for incorporating her religious beliefs; however, she remained committed to her vision. Her determination to continue creating art that reflects her faith and on her own terms encouraged me to confidently do the same.” — Karson Lewis
Open Studio and Open Hearts
During our final week, we hosted an Open Studio, where artists showcased what they worked on in the program. Viewers were asked to leave notes of encouragement, feedback, and critique. I played worship music in my studio during the exhibition, and saw many people responding emotionally to the atmosphere.
However, not every response was positive. A few comments criticized my inclusion of Jesus in my art, because not everyone shared my beliefs. Despite the difficulty, I tried to handle the situation with grace. I reminded myself of the purpose God has entrusted to me.
I donated one of the paintings I completed to the château’s permanent international collection. Inspired by Romans 5:5, the piece is titled “Hope Does Not Disappoint” and it reflects the love of God poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
A Journey, Not an Ending
The residency concluded with a farewell gathering in the gallery, surrounded by artwork donated by artists, past and present. We shared joyful moments, meaningful conversations, and reminders of the importance of community.
This experience was truly life-changing. I learned more about myself, my faith, and my creative practice than I ever expected. It was not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but an important milestone in my life’s journey, which I will carry with me forever.