Conversant is a series of egg tempera paintings inspired by Troutbeck, a place where nature, community, and conversation have long sparked meaningful change. Drawing on the legacy of Amy and Joel Spingarn and the many thinkers who gathered on this land, the work reflects on Troutbeck’s role as a catalyst for social progress.

The paintings feature clematis blossoms—a symbol of diversity, aspiration, and intellectual growth. Joel Spingarn once cultivated the world’s largest clematis collection in Troutbeck’s walled garden, and this climbing vine serves as a metaphor for the ideas that took root here: growing, intertwining, and reaching beyond boundaries.

Using silverpoint and egg tempera made with powdered pigments, including color sourced from local pebbles in Dutchess County, Kono explores the quiet yet enduring power of place—where beauty and history remain deeply conversant.

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"I was first introduced to Troutbeck during my February 2025 Winter Residency with the Wassaic Project. Surrounded by historic buildings, clear waters, and ancient stone, I found not only inspiration but real connection. The residency gave me the time and focus to solidify a new direction in my work, and the artists and organizers I met were deeply committed to supporting others with purpose and clarity. The relationships I formed there have led to incredible opportunities, and the support I received was honest, generous, and lasting." — E.E. Kono