Two Ducks on the Hudson

I created a multi-media diptych illustrating the Hudson River as a contemporary nod to American Romanticism and a reflection of my home in the Hudson Valley. Living at the Homestead has deepened my connection to the natural world, which significantly influences my work. In fact, the wire fence that is incorporated as a three-dimensional element is from the Homestead’s chicken coop. Living in these environments inspires my experimentation with color and light to convey mood and the intimacy and complexity of relationships—with others and within oneself. My painterly style and dark palette enhance my focus on lighting in each piece, creating a tension that juxtaposes the lush scenery with the depth of human emotion.
The Hudson River School was a group of American landscape painters active in the mid-19th century, embodying American Romantic ideals. Both the School and Romanticism portrayed nature as a living entity and a source of inspiration and spirituality, emerging as responses to rapid industrialization. They romanticized the natural world as a refuge from urban life, promoting a return to simplicity and deeper environmental connections. Additionally, I often turn to Edward Hopper for inspiration. Though he identified as an impressionist, he was primarily a realist painter focused on scenes from American life. I admire his representation of people interacting with one another through chiaroscuro, emphasizing strong contrasts between light and dark.