SPOTLIGHT

In 2020 I bought a house in Accord, NY with the intention of it being a creative space for myself and a small business to support my art career. I consider this space as an extension of my art practice. With a physical space I am able to create conditions for being: creating, resting, existing. And with that, I am hopefully able to create conditions that counter the hostile environments we so often face. It has been a challenging time being a homeowner and business owner. Between artist residencies, L&L runs as a short-term rental space. But, it’s also incredibly rewarding and I’m grateful to have a place that I can share with folks. 

Use three words to describe yourself: Self-assured, empathetic, curious. 

What brought you to the Hudson Valley/Catskill Mountains? In 2019 I was interested in having a home outside of Brooklyn, NY, where I primarily live. I’d visited the Hudson Valley several times before then for self-directed artist retreats and vacations. I fell in love with the landscape and the change of pace from the city. I grew up in Oklahoma, and upstate NY gave me a similar feeling to the quietness of home. 

In March 2020, days before the COVID lockdown, I closed on a property in Accord. It was actually a scary time. I was unsure of what the pandemic meant for me, for the country, for the housing market, for my income. And as a first time homeowner navigating the process as a single person and independent artist, I was really nervous about everything. The Hudson Valley is a really beautiful place and I’m glad that I purchased the property. There are two cottages on the property and during the height of the pandemic in 2020, a friend quarantined in one house, and I quarantined in the other. Her middle is Lorraine, and mine is Lynn. Hence Lynn & Lorraine. 

What do you love about your job? I am an artist and there are many things I love about that being my profession. It’s the only job I’ve ever had and I sometimes smile at the life I’ve been able to build from essentially drawing and painting. There is so much possibility with art. It’s a medium that not only fits within culture but has the potential to change culture. I love that I am able to have an effect on the ways people see and experience the world through my work. I love that I am able to prioritize creativity and imagination. 

With the Lynn & Lorraine space, I love that I am able to offer space to others. Because I have been a practicing art professional for so long, I truly value residencies that remove me from my everyday surroundings and offer a new environment for me where I can ideate and relax. That is what I want to offer other people with L&L.

What exciting things do you have planned for UAW?  We’re opening up L&L to the public for the first time for UAW. I am excited to host the artist Melinda James as our first artist in residence. Melinda is a beautiful filmmaker and will use her time at the house to explore new ideas. From July 18th-20th, her work will be exhibited throughout the house. Visitors will be able to walk through the space and view her work that will be presented on the walls inside the house. We will also host a short film screening the night of July 19th. It’s a ticketed event because there is limited space. All the information and RSVP can be found at our site. 

Best place near you to get: 

Breakfast? - I love getting a black coffee and two plain apple cider donuts from Saunderskill Farmers Market in the morning. I can eat this every single day and I have to keep myself from doing so. 

Lunch? - For lunch I’ll head to Inness, just a few minutes drive from Lynn & Lorraine, to get a salad or burger. I like to sit on the terrace with my laptop to do some work while I eat. 

Dinner? - Dinner is going to be cooked at home with some things I picked up at Accord Market. 

What’s your favorite local store?  I really like Harana Market and the selection of food products they have there. They also have events and programs catered towards queer folks and so I appreciate it as more than a restaurant or food market. 

What’s your favorite art/creative space to visit? Dia Beacon is a favorite. It’s probably a fave for a lot of people, and for good reason. If you go at the right time of day, the way the light can come into the building and interact with certain pieces is really lovely. It’s a place I want to take my time in, to stay for a while. I like art spaces that allow me to sit with the work and meditate on it. I feel that way at Dia Beacon. 

What is one tip for people experiencing UAW for the first time? Take your time and spend as much time as you can with the art and spaces that you really like. I wouldn’t rush to get to everything. If you find a moment (art piece, personal interaction, experience) that moves you, feel free to stay with it for a while. Really learn about the space or the artist(s) involved and use the weekend to make meaningful connections. It’s this type of movement that makes upstate different from the rush of New York City. 

What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people? A fun fact about me that might surprise people is that I sing. When I was young, I wanted to be a singer/songwriter. Lately, I’ve taken singing lessons to tap back into my younger self. I’m considering ways to potentially incorporate my speaking/singing voice into my work. I find music incredibly inspiring and I’d love to collaborate with a musical artist to art direct a project. 

Now for the speed round! Pick one or the other: 

Valley or mountains? Mountains 

Car or train? Car 

Walk or hike? Hike 

Sun or snow? Sun 

Indoors or outdoors? Outdoors 

Diner or restaurant? Restaurant 

Market or shop? Market 

Clear or clouds? Clear 

Sunglasses or hat? Both 

Abstract or realist? Realist

Contemporary or modern? Modern

Sculpture or painting? Painting

IRL or digital? IRL 

Look or listen? Listen 

See or feel? Feel