Meet an Artist Fellow: Visual Artist, Ngoc-Tran Vu

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu

Recovering in nature through the Artist Fellowship has been a true blessing. It feels like a soft exhale after months of navigating the intensity of recovery, community projects, and the endless demands of life. Here, amidst the trees and the quiet, I’ve been reminded of the profound wisdom in Lao Tzu’s words: nature moves at its own rhythm, unhurried and steady, yet everything it sets out to do is completed.

There’s something so healing about stepping out of the usual pace and surrendering to stillness. Waking up surrounded by the whispers of leaves, sipping tea while watching the morning light filter through the trees—it all feels like a gentle reset for my spirit. There’s no rush here, no pressure to produce or perform. Just being is enough, and that’s a lesson I hope to carry with me when I leave.

In solitude, I’ve found clarity. Space to reflect on what matters most: my health, my loved ones, and the creative energy that fuels me. There have been moments of inspiration too—sketching as the sun sets, writing by the campfire, and letting my thoughts wander without constraint. Nature has a way of grounding you, of reminding you that even in stillness, growth is happening beneath the surface.

This fellowship has been more than just a retreat; it’s been a reminder to honor my body’s need for rest and to trust the natural flow of my journey. Gratitude fills my heart for this opportunity to slow down and be nurtured by the simplicity of this place.

To everyone who needs to hear this: it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to take your time. Nature doesn’t hurry, and neither should we. 🌱✨