Catalde’s work was also showcased at
the 2018 Carefree Enchanted Pumpkin
Garden in Arizona in October. The event,
held in a botanical garden, featured
works from master pumpkin carvers and
incorporated Catalde’s rock balancing for
the first time. He is scheduled to appear
at both of those events again this year
and is seeking sponsorships to add more
destinations to his calendar in 2019.
Locally, his work was included in
last year’s Erie Art Museum Annual
Spring Show and featured at the annual
Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists
Association Scholarship Exhibition at
Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center. He
plans to continue to submit balances for
local shows and exhibits, and has been
accepted to display balances at Crary Art
Gallery in Warren, Pa., at the end of 2019.
Catalde says regardless of where he
displays rock balances, the response from
his audience is usually fascination and
gratitude.
“People are always thanking me for
what I do,” he says. He admits, however,
that he also encounters a lot of disbelief
when people see his work. “To me, that’s a
gracious compliment. Then I know I did it
well enough for them not to believe what
they’re seeing.”
FINDING BALANCE OF HIS OWN
Although there is satisfaction in the
finished work, Catalde’s biggest joy
is in the process. “The whole thing is
meditation. You have no choice but to
focus deeply,” he explains. “It’s a crazy
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spiritual experience that I didn’t expect at
all. I balance the rocks, but they balance
me. It’s a process of losing myself and then
finding myself.”
He adds that his friends and family,
including his parents, sisters, and 9-year-old
son Isaac, are overwhelmingly supportive
and happy that he’s sharing his gift.
Overall, Catalde says rock balancing
has been a life-changing experience. “I see
the world in a whole different way since I
started. It’s been one of the most positive
aspects of my life so far.”
You can find a gallery of images
of Catalde’s work at Facebook.com/
RockfaceTreestack and Instagram.com/
rockface_treestack online. n