Stone is Ailene’s creative medium of choice. For her, carving is not a process of extractive force, it is a release, a birthing of the figure within. Her sculpture involves a spiritual connection of creative energy flowing through her and the stones she works with, an unspoken conversation between the material and spiritual world. Ailene’s work also reflects the mutability of our very existence from one day to the next. In an ever-changing and sometimes frightening world, she manifests the peace, safety and hope that we all desire into works that will weather the test of time. Ailene is the co-founder of Skylands Museum in Lafayette, NJ.