Artist Retreat and Residency in the wilds of Celtic Cornwall

To choose to take time out from the business of life and all it demands takes courage and even determination. It is also key for the artist. It can be hard to value what we need to invest in ourselves and so our work. Whether it is deep time undisturbed in nature, silence and solitude, reading or meditation this art residency embraces you. Your home will be a beautiful shepherd’s hut overlooking the unihabited land around you, you can be totally independant there with all that you need. And your large studio is around the corner, with a woodburner and lots of natural light – you can make and mess and respond until your heart’s content.

“Living life as an artist is a practice.
You are either engaging in the practice or you’re not.

It makes no sense to say you’re not good at it.
It’s like saying, “I’m not good at being a monk.”
You are either living as a monk or you’re not.

We tend to think of the artist’s work as the output.

The real work of the artists
is a way of being in the world.”

Rick Rubin

You are surrounded by Cornish countryside with temporate rainforest on your doorstep, huge granite stones that are part of the Cornubian Massif, the Saints Way passes through the wild fields of long grasses, bats, and owls and many more small friends including my two dogs. Luxulyan valley and viaduct and also Helman Tor are a walk away, as is the local pub in Luxulyan, a stunning woodland walk from your hut.

You will be able to be self-contained with or without transport. You can enjoy local produce from our nearby village and markets, walk along ancient ways, and be inspired by nature. You can choose to be solitary in your time here or enjoy the garden and walks with our two friendly dogs. You can walk to the village shop and pub in nearby Luxulyan. There is also a local train station here for transport.

Atelier Nausika’s photo of her Residency, May 2025

A New Clarity

“Allow your judgments their own undisturbed developments, which, like any unfolding, must from from within and can by nothing be forced or hastened. Everything is gestation and then birth. To allow each impression and each embyro of a feeling to complete itself in the dark, in the unsayable, and humbly and patiently to await the dawning of a new clarity: that alone is the way of the artist – in understanding as in creating.”

Viareggio, April 23, 1903
Letters to a Young Poet
Rilke

We have created the residency opportunity with artists in mind, so the costs have been kept low and the we have included as much as we can for both studio and private use of the Shepherd’s Hut. The kitchen is fully equipped for you to cook or prepare meals, as well as a fridge, kettle, gas hob and drinking water in the studio. We also supply wood for the wood burner to keep you warm.

Any art materials you would like to order for delivery here and there is a local art supplies store a short drive away. Costs include cleaning of the hut and studio as well as high-speed WiFi. Pets are welcome, please let us know in advance.

Shepherd’s Hut Includes: 

• Private bathroom with hot shower and loo
• Electric hob to cook on with pans, crockery, and utensils provided
• Comfortable double bed with clean sheets and towels
• Relaxing Arm chair
• Drinking water on tap

Studio space size 11m x 4m 

• With woodburner
• Armchair
• Desk and chair
• Table
• Running water and drinking water and sink
• Fridge
• Kettle with a gas hob

Materials:  

You are welcome to order art materials in advance to be delivered here. Best local art supplies shop is called Stable Art, near Bodmin and 15 mins drive.

Nearest Train main line stations:
Bodmin, Lostiwthiel or Par

Luxulyan has a local train that is daily and this train will not stop unless you wave and when boarding you will need to request for it to stop at Luxulyan.

Application

Please submit a proposal for your residancy outlining why you would like to do it, what you hope to achieve and the project you have chosen to pursue.

Please see the application form here. Contact for more information at info@wendyrolt.co.uk
There is also a facebook page with details here

• Cost – £450 per week
• Running from Tuesdays until Mondays
• Minimum 5 nights
• Maximum 2 weeks
• Please enquire for availability – from April 1st 2024 onwards. Please be in touch over booking dates, there’s always room for flexibility. Find out more information here at Resartis.

If you are looking for finding to support your application for your residency, there are some grants available here: Arts Council England
Creative Scotland
Arts Council Ireland
Arts Council of Wales

Testimonials for the Artist Residence

Atelier Nausika, artist’s journal

“I’d like to take you with me on a journey in a beautiful and authentic part of the UK which I will always hold close to my heart. I’ve had a wonderful and very inspiring time last May in Cornwall during my artist in residency”

“I stayed in a charming shepherd’s hut at Trenince farm in the wilds of Celtic Cornwall. This unique place at the edge of the village of Luxulyan, is created by the lovely artist Wendy Rolt. It was such a pleasure to meet her and share our thoughts on creativity and being an artist, our path of spiritual growth and our love for nature.”

“When I was searching for a suitable place for my artist residency I knew I needed a quiet place situated in nature and there had to be a link with porcelain. As I love the UK and knew about the mining of porcelain in Cornwall, I started looking here and found the perfect place at this retreat. The description of Wendy’s place really resonated with me and I immediately knew I would feel at home here. And I really did!”

Artist Sarah Lamb

“This unique place was surrounded by nature, silence, birdsong, beauty and the most beautiful sunsets. I took me some days before I could really slow down and taking the time to be immersed by the landscape and atmosphere of Cornwall.”

“The Saints Way (or ‘Forth an Syns’in Cornish) is a pilgrimage route which passes through the wild fields of this retreat. It’s a fascinating pilgrim path that winds through the tranquil heart of Cornwall, offering a glimpse into the county’s spiritual and historical past.”

Read her full account here

Yves Drieghe, Artist

“Oh, how I yearned for space, for room to breathe, and then, poof! A solitary artist residency. 350 hours stretched before me, with only the whisper of the wind and a few curious creatures – like the blackbird peeking inside my Shepherd’s hut – as company. It’s only noon, and I’m afraid of the hours.”

“My residency in Cornwall, an experience of 350 hours being alone served as the big feeling of peace to express myself. To play. Mess up with black painted charcoal hands, and try again. To be unconditionally yourself — oh, what a magnificent feeling of peace, rest, and sweet completeness! It sounds like it floats straight from a meditation class, doesn’t it? And you know what? It does!”

“All photos, texts, snapshots of delightful encounters, and glimpses of the incredible sanctuary artist Wendy Rolt created here in Cornwall, were created during my residency, in summer 2025. “

Read more about Yves’ experience here

By Yves Drieghe, from his website www.yvesdrieghe.be/space[/caption]

Faye Robinson, Artist

“Wendy has created a site with an extremely special feeling to it: it is both inspirational and very moving. 
I had taken some incomplete work to further and I also began to generate new pieces which felt like the perfect outcome for such a time. 

The landscape itself proposed many potential starting points, be it the unique geography or the fact that a pilgrimage route runs through the land. I responded in some way to both while also weaving in other threads from my work.

Since returning my process feels reinvigorated from the chance to really ‘see’ my work without the clamour of outside culture and decision-making, a context which is key for my art making process. The peace proved essential to generate a reflective and responsive creative space. 

I feel opened up to possibilities for myself and my work and expanded in my ways of thinking and making.“

Caroline Pedler, Artist

“The shepherds hut I stayed in is so well placed, and although near the house, it feels as though it is private enough for free thought and creative idea making. The studio is large and tidy enough to feel grounded and supported, yet free, and also not so pristine that you would be in fear of making a mess. A perfect location and conditions for a variety of makers. There was also a trolley to load all the supplies and materials from the car to the studio, which really helped. 

Trenince Farms location is perfect for immersing yourself in nature, feeling off grid and remote, with the luxury of the comforts of home in the shepherd’s huts and the blank walls of the studio.

Phil Goss, Artist

“It was a real pleasure to stay with Wendy, Red and Tink.

The grounds are stunning and packed with wildlife, rabbits, deers, foxes and birds. The shepherds hut was cute and really well built. The bed was really comfortable with a window at the foot of the bed overlooking the hills. The studio was a really cool big space, the largest I have ever worked in. 

I had just under two weeks on the residency. I quickly fell into a rhythm of waking up in the shepherds hut, having a coffee overlooking the hills then going into the studio and lighting a fire. I warmed up making a really inviting place to work in. I would work park of the day and then in the afternoon go for a big walk with he dogs or take the rail replacement bus to Newquay. The weather was brilliant that helped. In the evening I just did a bit of reading and chilling in the hut. 

Prior to the residency I had just done a research trip to Istanbul where I made lots of drawings. I knew I wanted to make a project about a city on a river but I wasn’t sure where it was going. So on the residency I made lots of ink drawings on this theme. I did a bit of observational drawing on the residency but not so much. I preferred to use the time I wasn’t in the studio just walking. There was so much beautiful landscape right on your doorstep. “

Phil Goss, Artist

“For me the residency was having a space to concentrate on my work and put a run of days together with out any distractions. I made lots of drawings that I am still picking through now and using for new works.

It was a great experience, I got heaps of work done and also felt like a had time to relax and clear my head. Wendy and Stuart were really easy to get on with and I enjoyed there company when we hung out.  I hope to come back sometime when I need to concentrate on a new project.”

Phil Goss, Artist

Phil Goss, Artist

Tyga Helme, Artist

Enjoying her residency in Cornwall, artist Tyga Helme’s art can be found here.
Tyga lives and works in the UK. She is a painter and printmaker with drawing lying at the heart of her practice. She uses the directness and urgency of drawing from life as a springboard for all her work. Responding with spontaneity in the moment, she also builds on memory and feeling by returning to places over and over again.

 

Artist Will Handysides

 

Will Handysides, Artist

Will’s art can be found here.

Will Handysides (b. 1993) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Tottenham, north London. A lifelong painter, drawer and maker, he has focussed his artistic practice on the visual arts since 2021, taking inspiration from his love of the natural environment and dedication to protecting and celebrating the Earth.

Artist Will Handysides

Painting by Will Handysides

About the local area

Enjoy nature with local hikes, including the well known hill of Helman Torwhich is within walking distance of the farm. Another walk to discover is the Saints Way that goes through Trenince Farm, find out about walking it here. Nearby we also have the heart of the stunningLuxulyan Valley.

For visits to the local community try the shops, markets, and antiques in the lively community of Lostwithiel town, just 15mins drive away. You can also discover wonderful plants and great food at the nearby Duchy of Cornwall Nursery.

For the coastal beauty regions and famous towns, we are just a short drive or train journey to Cornwall’s breath taking wild beaches where you can enjoy South Fistral coastal walks and visit the local towns such as Falmouth and the famous St. Ives, where you can find the St Ives Tate Gallery.