Galatea

The first time I heard Jud’s name was the week we installed Brian Mock’s “Gaia Rising,” which was sited up towards the front of the property, visible from the road. A neighbor walked by the next day and asked if it was Jud’s work. No, I said, but maybe I need to learn more about Jud if his work bears any resemblance to this one!

I jumped on Jud’s website and was immediately impressed. Similar focus on found objects like Brian Mock, but with his own signature style. I need to try to cross paths with this guy at some point, I thought.

In 2025, we visited an art exhibition in downtown Eugene where a portion of the proceeds went to a cause that is important to us. Galatea was in the window as we approached. “Ooooh, look at that!” We couldn’t wait to get inside. There were a variety of amazing pieces by local artists but Galatea stood out to us. We bought it on the spot.

We decided to site it in the ravine. We’d been saving this location for just the right piece.

When we bought the property, the ravine was completely inaccessible. Eight feet of thick blackberries filled it from rim to rim. At one point I cut a small trail along the fenceline through the bramble and even this three-foot path was a major endeavor. 

In 2024, as we were working to satisfy the fire break requirements in order to get a permit for the vineyard cottage, it became apparent that the county was going to make us reclaim this land from the blackberries. It was a costly but fortuitous catalyst. A full crew spent nearly a week clearing the land, and we piled the remnants at the bottom of the ravine outside the fire break boundaries. The ravine is a major thoroughfare for water drainage during the wet season so we created a drainage ditch down the center, which allowed us to develop an adjacent walking path without it washing out every year. We tried to seed the rest with grass to keep the blackberries at bay, or at least slow them down.

When I walked down the ravine though the new grass as the rainy season got underway that fall I realized we had created something special. The ravine is one of our favorite spots on the entire property. You feel cradled and protected by the steep incline walls and forest when you are at the bottom. It is the quietest part of the property. It is the wettest and most lush part of the property. It was perfect for a sea creature like Galatea, she would be right at home down here.

Jud, and his partner Renee who is an amazing sculptor in her own right, have become friends of ours and visited the property several times. We’re currently collaborating on two new projects with them, stay tuned!