From living in the canopy of ancient redwoods to crafting intricate sculptures from fallen leaves, Mt. Airy-based artist Vivian Lehrer Stadlin is redefining the boundaries between environmental activism and creative expression. 

At her most recent exhibition, held at Awbury Arboretum's Cope House gallery, she meticulously arranged thousands of leaves in three-dimensional sculptures to create an ephemeral symphony of rustle and sway that echoed the very essence of the trees from which they fell. For Stadlin, these delicate creations – each piece a testament to the fragility and beauty of the natural world – represent more than mere artistic expression. They are a testament to a life profoundly shaped by an intimate connection with nature.

"Vivian's sculptural pieces, with the leaves floating in front of the scaffolding, actually make a sound like leaves blowing in the breeze – and seem to be constantly moving," said Germantown artist Tom Judd. "That's where the magic is."

Stadlin's path to becoming West Mt. Airy's preeminent "leaf artist" is as unconventional as her medium of choice. Born to Chilean immigrants in Chicago, she initially pursued a career in law, graduating from Columbia University with both her undergraduate and law degrees.

It was a radical act of environmental activism in 2009 that ultimately redirected the course of her life and art. In January of that year, she and her husband, Yoni Stadlin, ascended into the embrace of a giant redwood tree in Northern California. For two weeks, they made their home on a "dreamcatcher" – a webbed rope platform suspended high above the forest floor.

"As long as a person is up in a tree, that tree cannot be cut down because that would be manslaughter," Stadlin said, her voice carrying the quiet intensity of someone who has witnessed the majesty of ancient forests firsthand. "In some cases, tree-sitting is considered trespassing on private land, but I feel that I am obeying much deeper and more important laws. And even by U.S. law, you are allowed, for example, to speed on the highway to prevent a murder."

Trees have long captivated humans, and not just with their power and their beauty.  They are the longest-living organisms on Earth, they provide shade on hot summer days and even help predict climate change through their rings. According to the U.S. Forest Service, trees remove about one-third of fossil fuel emissions annually, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, storing the carbon, and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. In just one year, an acre of mature trees can absorb the CO2 produced by the typical driver in two. 

Part of a larger movement to preserve the remaining 2% of old-growth forests in the United States, the couple's time aloft was supported by a network of ground volunteers. These helpers assisted them in adapting to life among the branches, using a pulley system to provide food and water, and supporting their waste management solution that later became fertilizer for redwood saplings.

The couple used retractable tarps and winter gear to battle the elements in their nest-like sanctuary. They maintained minimal cellphone use, primarily for emergencies. During periods of strong rain and wind, they held onto the tree for safety.

"I remember holding on to the tree one time when we were scared about lightning – so we sent a bunch of metal out across a zip line to keep our tree from becoming a lightning rod," Stadlin recalled.

The experience proved transformative. Upon descending, Stadlin found herself losing interest in her previous work, which had been rooted in photographic realism and portraiture. In its place was a burning desire to capture the essence of her experiences in the treetops.

"We were up there together about two weeks," she said. "It's one of the coolest things I've ever done."

Thus began her artistic journey with trees, which she now understood to possess a profound life force and mystery all their own. Today, her work sits within a broader context of environmental art, a movement that has gained prominence as concerns about climate change and deforestation have increased.

"I spent years focused on craft and the heightened presence of painting from observation," Stadlin said. "I still love plein air and figure painting, but … I have given myself permission to play and experiment more. I have so much fun juxtaposing contrasts in color, texture and so on. At this point, I want to 'speak' through visual forms about what I find beautiful and meaningful."

In 2010, she and Yoni founded Eden Village Camp, a nature-and-arts-focused sleepaway camp in New York state. For 15 years, they nurtured young minds, instilling in them the same reverence for nature that had so profoundly affected their own lives. However, in 2019, life took another unexpected turn when Stadlin contracted a severe case of Lyme disease.

The couple relocated to Philadelphia, settling in West Mt. Airy, where she healed her body and further developed her artistic vision.

Beyond her visual art, Stadlin is also a musician, playing bass in an indie folk duo called Gorgeous Porch with Chris Wood of Mt. Airy. They perform regularly at local venues such as Malelani Cafe in Mt. Airy and Harmony Hall in Manayunk, as well as at events like Mt. Airy Day and house concerts.