Meet Ursala Hudson | Indigenous Artist & Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ursala Hudson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ursala, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Being raised at home by a pair of full-time artists, I was conditioned into taking risks on a regular basis. Risk-taking is the foundational practice of all creatives — being scared and moving forward anyway. Because I was homeschooled during my most formative years, the environment was very safe and conducive for risk-taking, which is a rare privilege. I could experiment with new art materials or contribute to my parents’ large-scale sculpture projects without significant social repercussions when I “failed”. I became practiced at failing, refining my process, trying again, and eventually succeeding.

By the time I entered the public school system in junior high, I was confident that whatever the underlying energetic current is that we are riding as vulnerable human beings really truly had my back. I began my freelance graphic design career in high school; even though I did not know how to run a business, I knew I’d learn how.

When I became a mom in my early 20’s, I no longer felt comfortable taking risks like I once had. I wanted stability for my babies, and stopped pushing boundaries in my graphic business and made small-scale, safe art. The stagnancy of this “safe” life ultimately threatened my physical and mental well-being as well as my relationships with my friends, husband, and children. When my kids were in school full-time, I was finally able to re-evaluate my artistic desires, quit doing graphic design cold-turkey, and went all-in working as a textile artist. By that point, the risk of remaining in a loveless career was far greater than the risk of failing as a textile artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My mother Clarissa Rizal was a Tlingit culture bearer, fine artist, and traditional weaver of the indigenous Pacific Northwest peoples. During my childhood, my father was a graphic artist and printmaker. After a couple decades of experimenting with their art materials, studying art in college, and allowing my back to crumple in front of my computer, the Covid-19 pandemic finally offered me the conditions necessary to face my deepest desire of being a full-time artist. After losing my graphic design clients, I was able to collect enough unemployment from the state to spend a few months creating a body of work that won me several professional opportunities for the following year. That year’s body of work has secured funding and exhibition offers that have helped financially support my family as a full-time artist. Watching the opportunities present themselves has above-all taught me that I must stay in a place of Truth — whenever I stray away from my authentic ideas in order to assimilate with the current hot topics or trends, I find myself losing grip. Therefore, I’ve made it a priority to carve out time to practice being in the present moment through exercise, expressive/improvisational arts, and unstructured “play time” with friends. When I make time to process and rejuvenate, I am reminded of my “essential self”, and I can bring that authentic flavor back into my artwork.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Pagosa Springs is a place that most “city folk” come to enjoy the outdoors. My newfound love of mountain biking is absolutely encouraged by our ever-expanding mountain bike trails in our forests, with something for everyone, at every skill level. Pagosa Mountain Sports is my summer sport shop of choice.

After tubing the river, biking, skiing, hiking, etc, I would take my friends out to the Neon Mallard cocktail bar for martinis and some amazing low-light photo opportunities. Afterward, we’d grab dinner at Pagosa’s only farm-to-table restaurant, Meander. Motel Soco has a great front lawn with a volleyball net to keep the kids entertained while the adults can enjoy life music from local and out-of-town bands 3-4x/week during the summer.

For enjoying the hot springs, I take guests to the Overlook, which has a greek bathhouse vibe and a rooftop pool. For a more exhilarating hot springs experience, the riverside pool constructed of giant river rocks is open to any passer-by on the riverwalk, is unlit, and soakers can jump right into the river for a cold-plunge!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, Bill Hudson and the late Clarissa Rizal, gave me the eyes, hands, and heart to know beyond a doubt that I am an artist. My older brother Kahlil Hudson has always watched out for me and worried about my material success, especially when I refused to. My older sister Lily Hope has been encouraging my art-making, beginning by purchasing my drawings as a tiny kid, and continuing as she shares professional opportunities with me. I was raised in a womb of creatives, from my immediate family to the constant company my parents kept. When they released me into the “real world”, I met my husband, musician and sculpture artist, Chris Haas. He has supported me with his sacrifice of time, from listening to my ideas to holding down the fort at home while I travel for weeks at a time, from teaching me artistic skills to doting on me when I’ve hit my energetic capacity. His devotion and unwavering adoration has given me the emotional security that is absolutely necessary to strive for my highest goals. Finally, my friends feed me the inspiration that’s behind my current work, focused on the changing role of the Woman in a Patriarchal society. My family is certainly my rock, but I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my childhood friend, Adrienne Young. Adrienne is a costume designer and burlesque dancer that has taught me everything from draping fabric to embracing my sensual self. She is a creative powerhouse, unwilling to compromise any interest or desire in the name of efficiency or logic, from homesteading to interior design. Growing up beside her has been essential in the development of my personal and professional life — I would not be where I am today without her.

Website: www.kadusne.com

Instagram: @kadusne

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kadusne/

Image Credits
Photography by Jason Ordaz and Kahlil Hudson