The 29-year-old has since been working two jobs, giving her the perfect blend of the outdoors and creative introspection.
"I like having an outdoors job that is physical and gets me out of the house, whereas if I was doing art full time I think I would become a little bit of a hermit. I would see nobody and go for walks on my own."
Hudson works as a landscaper three days a week and an artist at home for the remainder. She specialises in the unique art of lino print making.
Lino print involves carving out shapes, patterns and designs with a chisel. The lino is then painted on and printed on to fabric or paper.
"Once you are happy with carving you roll ink on to the lino. Everything you haven’t carved away is printing — it is reverse."
Hudson likes to concentrate on the great outdoors and unique Kiwi landscapes in her art.
"I have a huge appreciation for the great outdoors and enjoy many outdoor pursuits. The natural environment underpins the majority of my work and it’s through my own experiences with the outdoors that my artwork is shaped.
"What I see and feel around me when exploring forms the ideas and themes for my pieces. My artwork inspires and encourages new experiences in the outdoors and those experiences form the basis of further pieces."
"My work is as much about inspiring others to protect, explore and appreciate the natural world as it is my own artistic expression."
Funnily enough, Hudson’s love for the outdoors is what led her to a confusing choice of university degree. She chose an outdoor education degree at the last minute in Christchurch over art school in Wellington.
She says she doesn’t regret the choice, but she was stuck on what to do with her degree.
"I was kind of a little bit lost as probably a lot of people are when they finish studying. I wanted a creative outlet and I have always been very creative as well.
"I guess I do use my degree for my work now, and for my hobbies. I am into mountain biking, tramping and climbing and all that stuff."
It’s when she is out in the fresh air, however, that the ideas come flowing for her.
"There is a lot of playing around with it, the colours and shapes. But what I do mostly is outdoor themes: huts, mountains, landscapes, nature and iconic New Zealand scenes."
She says most of her clients are similar to her. They have a love for the outdoors and a smaller budget for art
— generally, I would say people around my age, late 20s and 30s, those into the outdoors, and don’t have a lot of disposable income but might be getting into the art scene. I always say my customers are basically me."
