I went to an art opening this weekend in Catskill, NY- an event titled The Love-Thrill Murders organized by New Discretions Gallery, part of The Home Invasions Series- an exhibition created in a magical octagonal house situated under majestic trees on hilly Walnut Street in the village. Here in the Hudson Valley, in my 1860 Italianate house/studio in nearby Athens,NY, I'm cultivating my life and work in the deep interplay between art, natural systems, and somatic practices- in hidden and not hidden ways. As I walk and drive through landscapes that inspired giants like Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, I cannot help but feel their transcendentalist ethos—a profound connection to nature and a belief in the spiritual it provides—echoing through my own work and life.

Cole and Church painted a vision of American landscape as fragile and in need of protection, while almost boiling over. Current complex political landscapes illuminate that the Hudson Valley is not merely a picturesque backdrop nor solely a burgeoning hub of artistic and intellectual activity. The Upstate NY Arts Weekend this weekend encapsulates the dynamic spirit, drawing artists, thinkers, and visionaries together to explore new ideas. Yet, even as we celebrate this cultural energy here, it's undeniable that there is escapism going on as part of the motivation to be here and get away. I've been part of that, and I'm wondering if it's been good, neutral, helpful, time to change up my desire to escape?

There is an inherent paradox too, grappling with all of this. On one hand, the Hudson Valley’s booming arts scene is a testament to human creativity and resilience. On the other, the fragility of maintaining the internal delicate systems we have here requires vigilance too . Engaging in somatic practices like yoga offers slow made sanctuary to process complexities, grounding while preparing to act.

As I work on my new sculptures I'm aware that the fluidity of polymer material echoes the ebb and flow of water or sloshy earth, while not shying away from the actual material that signals the Anthropocene, an ongoing transformation that reflects both stability and change. This artistic exploration is deeply entwined with my experiences in the Hudson Valley—a place where the past's transcendentalist ideals meet the present. Perhaps in this soft glow of sunrises and sunsets a hybrid of retreat and action is forming, found in some more tactile, human touch.