Earth Songs

Poems and Handmade Paper from Domaine de Boisbuchet Marguerite Elliot,  Annabel Abbs

In the spring of 2023, I had the honor of being invited to the Domaine de Boisbuchet, an artist residency nestled in Lessac, France. This enchanting place spans 300 acres of grassy fields, dense woods, a vibrant river, and a sun-kissed lake. The Domaine was filled with international artists and staff, creating a vibrant community of creativity and collaboration.

During my time there, I foraged plants from the fields and riverbanks, transforming them into sculptural handmade paper. The British author Annabel Abbs, also an artist in residence, was inspired by the Domaine's natural beauty and asked if she could use my handmade paper to write her poems. This request blossomed into a beautiful collaboration.

Together, we merged my handcrafted paper with Annabel’s evocative poetry, creating a unique blend of visual and literary art. You can experience this collaboration by clicking on the QR codes provided to hear Annabel Abbs read her poetry aloud, bringing our shared experience at the Domaine de Boisbuchet to life.

Annabel Abbs-Streets is an award-winning writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Her work has been translated into over 30 languages.  She lives in London and can be found at www.annabelabbs.com and @annabelabbs.