For Courtney Dudley, experimentation is not just a method—it’s a mindset that makes space for joy, learning, and emotional expression. In this episode she shares how her artistic journey has stemmed from her desire to experiment. Her use of natural dyes is deliberate and unpredictablity is central to her process.
Courtney’s journey as an artist has been marked by big changes. After experiencing an abortion for medical reasons and the shutdown of her ceramic studio (due to the pandemic), she faced an emotional reckoning that led her to “wipe the slate clean.” It was a painful but clarifying moment, highlighting the fragility of a creative practice that depends on access to a public and specific physical space. Her family decided to move from their life in New York City and out to a country home in the Hudson Valley where Courtney could have a home studio. This transition shaped Courtney’s practice immensely. Her art became an excuse to be outside, tending a dye garden and participating in the rhythms of nature. The influence of the garden is evident in her work and her practice, making visible the rituals of each season.
This shift also helped Courtney reimagining sustainability—not only in terms of materials but for her life as an artist and caregiver of her two small children. Courtney keeps many things in motion at one time, balancing the demands of life and art with fluidity. Her work and practice is shaped by the unpredictability of both her materials and her circumstances. This embrace of change—not just as a theme, but as a way of living—infuses her art with a quiet resilience and emotional depth that is ever evolving.
Courtney’s episode is part of her selection for the Kinhouse Art Open Call – Double Duty! Where two artist caregivers are selected to receive a 2 person exhibition, a family friendly residency, and an interview on the A/M podcast. Kinhouse will be opening this call again later this summer.
See more of the 2 person exhibition by Courtney Dudley + Luanne Redeye titled Holy Seeds here: https://www.kinhouseart.com/holy-seeds
Final Five:
Art crush – Hilma af Klint, Agnes Pelton, Ithell Colquhoun, Virginia L. Montgomery
Travel – India
Book – Anam Cara by John Donahue
Meal – her dad’s Texas fajitas
Shoutout – Hudson valley artists and her partner Alan
Connect with Courtney via her instagram and view more of her work on her website!
The Artist/Mother podcast is created and hosted by Kaylan Buteyn.
Connect with Kaylan via her website or instagram or follow her substack here!
Apply to SOLO + GROUP SHOW OPPORTUNITIES (deadline 6/1/25)
https://www.kinhouseart.com/2026-proposals
