FAQs

If you have any questions, please visit contact or email us directly at stephenswindellsstudio@gmail.com

During the application process you might be invited for an informal online meeting about your expectations for the residency; many of your questions can be answered during that discussion. In the interim, the FAQ’s below provides additional information to help you consider making an application.

  • The residency is in the Morvan National Park. Our address and additional details on how to get here are provided after the application process has been completed.

  • No. The residency is aimed at established professional working artists. We do not provide any teaching facility, however, some formal mentoring and constructive feedback can be provided during your stay upon request. There is no need to submit a proposal, and there is no programme for you to follow. We expect some studio discussions are likely to occur naturally, but we are equally happy to let artists work in private and undisturbed.

  • Essentially, we will provide you with a large personal studio space with natural light as well as self-catering accommodation. Each studio contains a chair, trestle table, a palette on a trolley, mixing jars and rags in a metal bucket, and some white spirit, plus some storage space for materials: any other requirements can be discussed during the online meeting. You can have all your materials delivered to the studios, basically you order online and have the materials delivered to the studio address. For example, painting stretchers and canvas see: https://artel.eu and for paints and drawing materials see: geant-beaux-arts.fr

    There are also DIY shops and modest art supplies in Saulieu and Autun where you can buy masking tape, linseed oil, white spirit, basic painting and drawing materials.

    We will also provide you with fresh bed linen and towels, and we have a washing machine available for you to use.

  • Saulieu is a small town nearby, it has banks, supermarkets, shops, bars and restaurants. Saulieu is less than 20 minutes by car. There is also a bus service to Saulieu from our nearest village.

  • A car is useful in the Morvan for getting about and doing your shopping and we do have some parking space. You might also wish to bring your art materials in a car. However, we can arrange to collect you in the town of Saulieu. From Paris, take the train to Montbard and from Montbard take the bus to Saulieu. Additional travel information can be provided once we have agreed your stay.

  • Paris to the north, Lyon to the south. From Paris make your way to Montbard TGV station. From Lyon make your way to Le Creusot TGV station.

  • Normally, yes. We only intend to host two separate artists at any one time, though artist collaborations or artist couples may also wish to apply. We have two comparable 50 sqm painting studios and a 40 sqm drawing studio. Depending on occupancy the painting studio can be easily made into one 100 sqm studio.

  • We recommend you bring your normal studio clothes. If you own a car you might also wish to bring your own painting and drawing materials. We also recommend you bring clothes for very hot weather as well warmer clothes for the evening and some rain wear. Walking shoes are also recommended along with swimwear. Generally, the summers are hot and dry but the weather in the Morvan can vary. We also recommend you bring a hat, suntan lotion and some insect repellent if you suffer from mosquito bites.

  • We recognize many art materials carry a ‘hazardous’ label. Normal painting and drawing materials are permissible, and we will ask you to describe your studio material practises in the online discussion. However, if you wish to use some materials that can be considered hazardous to yourself or others then we would need to discuss what options are available during the online meeting.

  • No. Smoking is not permitted inside the accommodation and inside the studios, it is not accepted inside any of the residency buildings. Smoking is permitted outside.

  • YES. You need travel insurance to cover all your medical expenses that might arise from an injury incurred from your studio activities, as well as insurance to cover medical expenses in the event of any accident. You would also need insurance to cover any loss or damage to personal belongings, which includes your artistic output, whilst doing the residency. We will ask you to sign an indemnity agreement before you commence your residency. Stephen Swindells Studio, (Steve and Mila) cannot be held liable for any personal injury or loss or damage to personal property.

  • We live in a small hamlet and the sound can carry to neighbouring properties. If you wish to listen to music we will ask you to wear headphones.

  • Yes. An artist partner/husband/wife is very welcome. Please see pricing for details. Please note we do not regard ourselves as a holiday destination and we live in a rural setting.

  • We are not averse to you bringing a pet dog as long as the dog is quiet, well trained and social with other dogs and people.

  • Generally, if we have spare produce we will offer it to you, or we will identify to you what is ready and free for you to harvest. Not all fruit and vegetables are available as we aim to store some produce for the winter