Jake found his Forever Home

Jake was the first sculpture I created after my father died from cancer. My intention was for him to be compelling and irresistible. I wanted him to touch people’s hearts. I didn't realize just how much that heart connection would spin into comfort and joy.

I cannot think of a more perfect place for Jake than in a healing environment. Through a partnership with Small Dog Realty, I was able to donate Jake to the Livingston HealthCare Foundation. He now sits near the surgery waiting area—a place where people often find themselves doing just that…

Waiting. Worrying. Hoping. Holding their breath.

Already, I've heard so many stories of people stopping to greet him. Taking daily walks from their rooms to visit him. Children sitting on the floor to talk to and hug him. One elderly gentleman was seen sitting next to Jake, his hand resting on Jake's head, while his wife was in surgery.

The Foundation hosted a lovely reception for Jake and I. Emotion wound through my words as I tried to express what Jake's presence in the hospital means to me.

He is not simply a bronze dog. He is a companion.

May he bring comfort, connection and smiles to all who pass by. 💛

Tiny painting

Fundraiser projects have dominated my studio time the past few weeks. The Bozeman Art Museum asked me to create and donate a business card size piece of art for their fundraiser. Little paintings can actually take as long as big paintings but I embraced the tiny format (if you happen to be looking at this image on your cell phone then it is likely close to the real life size). My desire was to create an itty bitty painting with a big presence - intriguing and mystical…

"Windhorse"

Created especially for the annual fundraiser gala, the painting “Windhorse” raised $5500 for Heros and Horses. The painting was inspired by my reliquary tree sculpture, “Freedom Found.”

Raising Funds for Flood Relief

Raymond took the “Jake Bank” to a coffee shop to help raise funds for our local animal shelter. The staff had to act fast when the shelter was overtaken by water in minutes. Some dogs were stuff into kennels and placed on the upper floor of the barn, then rescued in canoes later by Swift Water Rescue. The shelter is a total loss but all the animals (including the little goldfish) were rescued. The “Jake Bank” has raised a few thousand dollars for the shelter during the last decade but managed to raise over $5000 the first week it was in town after the flood.

Jake gets a loving polish at the coffee shop

Blazing Saddles Ride

Yesterday kicked my ass. And my CROTCH. And the bottoms of my feet, my toes, my forearms and my neck. But mostly my crotch. Fortunately my thighs, calves and lungs held up pretty damn good for the whole 100 miles. My spirit wavered occasionally and I had the shit scared out of me twice. But it was worth it.

Fifty people donated in support of my ride. Together we raised over $3000 of the $15,000 at the Blazing Saddles event to help Montana families of children with cancer. Your support helped carry me across those miles.

When I faced a knurly headwind during the 8th hour on that tiny abusive seat on top of those impossibly skinny hard tires I swore out loud. Seriously. I also panted a mantra the last few miles, “you are healthy – you are healthy – you are healthy” which was as close as I could get to “you are strong” and “you got this” because at those moments when the wind pounded my spirit and the relentless deep cracks in the pavement punched my softest most sensitive parts, I didn’t feel like I “had this” or that I was “strong.” I felt like crying and more than anything I wanted to be DONE.

My pain was real. But I was heartily aware that my pain was temporary and a self-imposed “luxury” that comes from a choice I made while being healthy, unlike young’uns faced with cancer. Cancer has touched all of us one way or another. I witnessed my father’s last breath when pancreatic cancer took him. I saw the fear in my mother’s eyes when they wheeled her away to cut off her breast. The day before the ride a courageous dear friend who continues to fight texted (without whining) that he was “Feeling lousy today. Weak from chemo and sick.”

I do not personally know a child with cancer but I thought about three new babies recently born to 3 of the ten couples Raymond has married. I rode for those healthy babies and their future even as I road for the children currently fighting. Yesterday was the kind of day that took me places within myself that are both personal and not-at-all about “self.”

It’s not too late to donate: The Payden Foundation

Promise Under the Morning Star

Decades ago, I stood among mis-matched pews inside the bombed out church and sang. A bird flew in the broken window - like a prayer - or the answer to a prayer - or the embellishment of a prayer. The moment elevated my heart. I was seventeen. The church was in East German behind The Wall. Last weekend another such magical moment etched my heart with vibrant love when the parent of a Cheyenne student began our gathering at the gallery with a heartfelt prayer spoken in his native tongue. We were bonded in spirit, humbled in his sincerity and respect for all that is “made with the hand.” What an honor to participate in the meaningful collaboration between musicians from The Silk Road Ensemble, Stapleton Gallery and students from the Lame Deer Reservation.

PROMISE Under the Morning Star

STAPLETON GALLERY WRITES:

On the evening of Saturday, May 11th, we will open our doors to celebrate the PROMISE of Native American youth arts. Join us to view the work of Northern Cheyenne students alongside the work of Stapleton Gallery artists in a powerful showcase of art--the culmination of an academic year that produced beautifully printed fabrics, pottery, sculpture, linoleum block cuts, metalwork, and music. From collaborating with artist Ben Pease, sculpting with Jennifer Li, and ending with a week spent with members of the Grammy Award-winning Silk Road Ensemble (who's annual work with these Northern Cheyenne students inspired our own artists)--this will be a gathering to remember.

Join us to see various representations and interpretations of the Morning Star--the most iconic symbol of the Northern Cheyenne people. As one student put it, "The Morning Star is a sign of hope. It tells us not to give up and to keep going no mater what." Join us to be surprised and delighted by these kids' art, and to make a meaningful contribution to a student art fund. Enjoy good music and good food. This show is a cultural exchange, giving voice to these students, and relationship-building that promises to give hope for all concerned. We invite you to come see, hear, and find PROMISE.

Save the Teslow - artistic birdhouse for auction

My contribution to the Teslow Birdhouse fundraiser. The iconic grain elevator was saved by destruction thanks to the efforts of a few passionate locals. Basic birdhouses constructed by reclaimed Teslow wood were embellished by a dozen or so local artists. Hand carved walnut wood trout with metallic copper patina, gold leaf and 100 year old barbwire went into my creation to be auctioned off this Friday.

Photo taken by Audrey Hall

What shall I create for the skateboard this year?

Two years ago I "doodled up" this skateboard by painting it and adding golden carved leaves.  A furious bidding war took place and the piece raised a good sum of $$ to build McNair Skate Park.  Last year Raymond stepped in and decorated two wonderful skate boards since the project for the king of Bhutan left little time for me.   I've just two weeks to figure out what to create with a new blank board for what has become an annual fundraiser.

BIG little eaglet - a good deed that grew...

One morning several years ago I found myself wondering just what I'd gotten myself into?!!  

Image after image of baby eagles were spread across my largest workbench and they were......ugly...!  Lordy I had no idea that baby eagles were not only homely and gawky but they had "angry bird" eyes (just think of the heavy eyebrows on adult eagles).  My intention was to create a totally irresistible sculpture to speak to the attitude I witnessed in youth and people at Eaglemount.  Near and dear to my heart the non-profit Eagle Mount is committed to provide quality therapeutic recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and young people with cancer, and to provide support for families of participants.  I'd been a volunteer in their ski program for several winters until caring for my mother in her battle with her Alzheimer's took priority in my life.   I leveraged "artistic license" to create a palm size sculpture for Eagle Mount who reaped the benefit of 100% profits from the edition.  Inspired, they even began selling chocolate sculptures molded from the original baby eagle which they named "Soren - the little eagle that could."

Last week the former director of Eagle Mount joined me in the foundry spray booth to oversee the patina of a new BIG little eaglet.  The bugger will be installed at the Eagle Mount playground.  I love knowing the brand new shiny patina is destined to be worn off with hugs and love from the children who will enjoy the “Little Eagle who Could.”

Charity Fundraiser

Passionate locals rallied to save the old Teslow grain elevator that is part of our town's history and landscape. Several birdhouses were made in the shape of the grain elevator using wood taken from the Teslow during the restoration process. Artists were asked to embellish the birdhouses which are currently around town collecting donations before they are raffled off.