Jael LaFemina uses sculpture and stonework to bring the vastness of nature into focus so we can immerse ourselves in it. A master stonemason and gardener, he likens both his professional work and sculpting to choreography. My opinion? I just think he rocks.
What do you do?
I sculpt stone and find new and interesting ways to stack them on top of one another.
Where do you live?
I’m in Tam Valley.
How long have you lived in Marin?
15 years.
Where can we find you when you’re not at work?
Walking my dog around Laurel Canyon Trail and Green Glen Way. Tamalpie for some great food. Or in bed!
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them?
Out to Coyote Peak; it’s a stunning view from there and gives such a great perspective on where we are.
What’s one thing Marin is missing?
Fireflies.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?
Keep an eye out while driving; you may be in the entitlement lane.
If you could ask anyone to join you at dinner, who would you invite?
Herman Hesse, Isamu Noguchi, Brancusi and Mae West. It would be sushi—I’d imagine some of those guests would find it quite exotic—and we would lubricate the conversation with sake.
What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?
Go to The Hoffman Institute in San Rafael. It was instrumental in getting in touch with all the parts of me, thus creating a strong “team” to make decisions in my life not informed by my subconscious.
What’s something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?
Nextdoor; maybe that’s actually now.
Big question. What’s one thing you’d do to change the world?
Isolate the common sense gene.
Keep up with LaFemina at @lafeminajael on Instagram and haikudezine.com.
Nish Nadaraja was on the founding team at Yelp, serves on the San Anselmo Arts Commission and attempts to play pickleball at Fairfax’s Cañon Club.
