“I’ve definitely walked away with a lot more confidence in doing my art, a lot more freedom in exploring new spontaneous things in my art. I was able to just experiment and be spontaneous,” said Bowen-Moore, an instructional associate professor of media and communication in the School of Journalism and New Media.

Emily Bowen-Moore works on one of her animal illustrations in her private studio at the Chateau d’Orquevaux during the summer residency in France. Submitted photo

Ziggy Attias, residency co-founder and director, said the residency serves as an opportunity to immerse artists in a “supportive and stimulating environment that allows them to explore new ideas, experiment with their craft and collaborate with other talented creatives.”

Co-founder Beulah van Rensburg said she hopes the residencies spark new creative energy for participants.

“After their residency, we hope that the artists leave with a renewed sense of purpose, fresh perspectives and a body of work or new direction in their work that reflects their growth and exploration during their time at Chateau d’Orquevaux,” said van Rensburg, who also serves as the co-director.

The June summer cohort included 23 artists from several countries, including three writers and two musicians.

Though Bowen-Moore’s teaching emphasis at Ole Miss is in graphic design, she spent the month of June reconnecting with her lifelong passion: traditional media, mostly working with charcoal, pen and ink, watercolor and acrylic.

Some of Bowen-Moore’s work reflected her general style of animal illustrations and illustrations with storytelling involved, but she felt challenged and inspired by the potpourri of artists, including one from San Diego.

“She is a very large-scale abstract painter and just watching her loose flowing process, her methodology was really inspiring to me,”

“I was just sitting there looking at that blank canvas all week and the last night before open studio, I just went up there and expressively produced a very abstract piece,” Bowen-Moore said.

“Honestly, I received more comments about that piece than probably any of the other pieces that I had produced all month long. That really felt good, and I felt very comforted by that piece by the end of it.”

The ability to create without limitations during the residency has shaped new lessons she can share with students in her JOUR 273: Creative Visual Thinking class, Bowen-Moore said.

The residency also underscores the mission of the journalism school, said Andrea Hickerson, the school’s dean.

“Creativity and curiosity are at the heart of the school,” Hickerson said. “We are proud Professor Bowen-Moore was able to practice both in such a unique setting. No doubt our students will benefit from her new ideas and personal passion.”