sweet sleep!

Livingston lights twinkle in the valley below - a festive pre-dawn backdrop just beyond the soft flame of the candle lit here on the wee desk in my cabin.  My soul is  "Snoopy Dancing" with glee after a breakthrough night of rest.  The past few weeks have been morphed by an epic round of insomnia - nothing new for this chronic insomniac but having been granted a full scrumptious six hours of sleep last night feels like being tapped by a magic wand.  Blessed.  Sprinkled by fairy dust, the world is a shinier place when sleep anoints me.

One hour of sleep - sometimes two - were the "norm" each night the past few weeks.   Naps were elusive.  But the place and pace brought on by sleep deprivation was good for me in that I actually slowed down.  I don't usually allow an epic round of insomnia to slow me down but a combination of the holidays and Jeffery's company (which is hard wired to a slow sane southern pace) allowed me to take some deep breaths, accept and allow.  Well at least a little bit.  I hunkered down in the spiritual retreat offered by my cozy cabin at the end of the road near the top of this Montana mountain.  I took time off from studio life.  Christmas at my cabin was sweet and cozy, full of laughter and yummy food - I actually cooked!  I indulged in a good book.  Hiked a bit.  Thought a lot.  Oh my goodness I could continue the list but the sun is nudging night into day with electrified pink clouds.  My addiction to sky must be indulged, the keyboard abandoned.

More later...

wee bunny

I have a thing for bunnies.  Birds.  Frogs.  Actually I just love all creatures but when it comes to bunnies, birds and frogs I seem to have a special weakness.  The dog bronze created in clay last summer for a commission opened up a new door of possibility to play and explore.  Clay is infinitely more forgiving than wood.  Carving wood is a bit like surgery – intense focus with the added pressure of “no return” once wood is removed.  I created the “Works on Paper” series as a way to begin my studio days with a cup of tea and an hour of “playtime.”

Clay has replaced the paper part of studio playtime for the moment.  I have a zillion ideas to explore in clay.  Two rabbits are the humble beginnings.  The trip to Vegas spurred another idea for a series of rabbits interacting with wood.  I can’t wait to begin!!  But the 1st two bunnies need to make their way to bronze and into homes.  The “Wee Bunny” is one of the two new bunnies.  You’ll see the other bunny soon.

 

 

 

audacious me

Joeseph Godla, the Chief Conservator of the Frick Collection gave a super informative, intensely researched lecture on studio furniture during the opening weekend of the Museum of the Rockies exhibit "The Artisan's Craft."  Godla opened his presentation with a slide of my work using the adjective "audacious" - as in "Studio furniture is alive and well as seen in the audacious work of Amber Jean."  Well aware that my work pushes the boundaries of the studio furniture movement, I thought perhaps he regarded my work as "over the top" maybe even insolent.  But I looked up the word and must say I totally "own" it both in my work and my life. au·da·cious  (ô-dshs)

adj.

1. Fearlessly, often recklessly daring; bold. Invulnerable to fear or intimidation.

2. Unrestrained by convention or propriety;

3. Spirited and original: disposed to venture or take risks

 

bright lights + big city = mom goes to vegas

She and Dad wanted to see Terry Fator. Together they cheered the ventriloquist episode after episode until he won “America’s Got Talent” years ago.  Dad’s untimely death cut short their travel plans.

So I took mom to Vegas.

 

Cheap flights and a cheap hotel right in the gut of the strip.  The hotel was a little too cheap but we survived the nasty old carpet and endless ugly Formica and we appreciated being right near the Belagio (Cirque du Soliel) and the Mirage (Terry Fator).

I had tickets to “O” by Cirque du Soliel the first night we landed on the strip. Pure joy to share the depth of magic, creativity, talent and imagination with mom! Cirque Du Soliel leaves one speechless but rich with wonder.

 Changed.

The rest of our visit was a whirlwind – Chihuly glass and Christmas atrium at the Beliagio, dinner out with mom's brother, Redrocks tour (once again with my uncle), and of course the grand finale evening at the Terry Fator theater with teary-eyed mom. She was happy. Missing Dad but happy, she laughed throughout the ventriloquist’s show.

Life is short. Fulfilling a promise to mom felt like something I did for Dad –a gift to him for her.

chosen to speak at TEDx Bozeman!!

Honored.  Delighted by the challenge.  Kinda scared – like the feeling I get when I look up at a frozen waterfall before I get my feet off the ground… Overwhelmed by the opportunity and inspired by the topic of the conference for which I was chosen to share my ideas - I am psyched and happy to participate.

I discovered TED many years ago but recently found out it has existed for 25 years.  Built on the concept of “Ideas Worth Spreading” the TED website states, “Riveting Talks By Remarkable People.” I wanted to be a TED speaker after I viewed my 1st TED talk online years ago.  I researched just what TED was, got even more inspired and simply put "Be invited to speak at TED" on my “bucket list” along with items like "visit Moracco" "own a Rocky Hawkins painting" "Restore grandpa's old pick up."

Now TED has satellite conferences hosted in cities around the world – that is where the “x” comes in.  TEDx has stringent guidelines to keep the quality of TED.  Earlier this year Bozeman got its “pilot” trial.  Tickets sold out in six days.  Two places were set up to watch the conference live-stream so I put down my chisels for a day and went to the Bozeman Public Library.  I could have watched live stream from my studio office but I wanted to be closer to the TED energy.  The conference was exceptional!  Bozeman was accepted to continue with a yearly TEDx – which brings us to their conference next year for which I have been selected to speak!

“The World needs dreamers & the world needs doers but above all, the world needs dreamers that do” - Sarah Ban Breathnach

What a grand topic for the TEDx 2013 conference! I have butterflies of excitement when I think about it – and yes – I think about it a LOT!  I am a dreamer.  I am a doer.  I am a dreamer who does and a dreamer who will do my best to create the best talk I have ever given.  I want to spark inspiration, touch hearts and stir souls.

Just click on TED to find out more.  Join TEDx Bozeman if you want to be informed about the Bozeman event.  The event will be streamed.

clay critters

I thought perhaps I would “whip out a bunny” in clay to cast in bronze so that many of my “peeps” would have the option of an affordable sculpture and I would have some welcome income while working on the BIG new wood sculpture series.  Alas – “whip it out” was my typical optimistic warped reality.  The little critter and I struggled into being.  For the longest time the little thing looked sadly like a chemo patient (no ears).  Even my mom came up with that remark when I showed her snapshots taken on my phone.  I was too embarrassed to post the bunny on my blog.  I added ears but it still looked creepy weird.  The sculpture made a debut at the studio party earlier in the month looking more like a long-eared guinea pig or chipmunk or hybrid creature of the most unfortunate kind.  Once again I was embarrassed.  I borrowed a girlfriend’s bunny for a week of modeling.  Daisy is the BIGGEST bunny I have ever seen – bigger than many dogs.  Her size was intimidating but she turned out to be a cuddly sweetheart.  Daisy munched carrots, pomegranate seeds and cherry tomatoes content to sit for hours in a chair while I tried to find the “bunny-ness” in an overworked lump of clay.

 

Impatient to begin carving on the next log in the NEW series – I finally moved the clay project to my dining room table at home.  I let the rabbit sculpture sit on a side table so that I could simply live with it a bit then began a new less complicated wee bunny.  Each morning during the past week, I spent a few hours before the sunrise drinking tea and getting clay under my fingernails while pushing, pulling, adding and subtracting.  Many late afternoons and evenings found me plopped at my table working away at the clay. Clay has endless options – especially when it is made so that it won’t dry out.  Wood is less forgiving.  I clay bunnies have taken a zillion hours.

I will post finished photos of both little buggers SOON!

Mmmmmm....WOOD!!!

The smell of fresh woodchips blasted a glorious greeting to my nose and licked my soul like a rambunctious puppy this morning when I entered the studio. After a few weeks of clay projects and deskwork I feel like a dog just let out of a kennel – tail waggin!

The second log in the NEW series…

Are you wondering about the clay?  I promise I will post photos SOON and catch you up on the clay projects.

post-vote ride with Zaydee

Zaydee is a lovely girl; happiest when she is out on the trail sniffing and grinning.  I was huffing, puffing, peddling and grinning.  Momma Nature blessed us with a sun-kissed afternoon – perfect mountain biking weather!!  I hear a blizzard is coming.  Not worried; it is all good.  Ice climbing is just around the corner…

refreshing retreat

I LOVE my work.  Passion drives me.  Vision propels me.  Inspiration oozes inside, outside and all around.  I can hardly quit working.   But the thing is – stress from lack of moola and this insistent urge to survive without giving up my dream can frazzle me to tears.   “Tears” is an understatement for the moments of despair that wrack my bones and shake my core.  Darkness is part of the light.  Despair punches brutal the sparkle fluff creative joy. Last week Jeffery insisted I deserved a work-free day and mini road trip.  One decadent night at the lovely historic boutique hotel “The Chamberlin Inn” in Cody stretched into two nights – which truly gave me a full sunrise to sunset day off.  The final morning I wrote for a few hours in the pre-morning darkness for a looming magazine interview deadline but I found myself with tea and Bailey’s in the cozy library room next to an antique set of scales; which alone caused pause for reflection and the idea of balance.   The “room of one’s own” away from the studio office made me realize I need to write once again in my own home – away from my studio.  The early morning hours serve me well no matter how little sleep the night gifts me.

The goal-less relaxing mini-adventure fluffed-UP the scrunched down pillow of life.  Refreshed.  Pampered.

exhibit opening weekend - museum of the rockies

Blown away by the attendance to the “museum member’s only” pre-view party Friday night – what a whirlwind reception!  “Reception” is a diminutive word for just how well both artworks were “received” by the public.  People’s enthusiasm ran overboard.

They gushed.  I blushed.

Actually I just grinned while wearing my new soft lacy black Stetson dress (a gift) and accepted compliments as gracefully as possible.  Amped, relieved, excited, parched and hungry - we were “shooed” out of the museum shortly after the opening was officially over.  Thai food and red wine with mom and our new sparkly friend Lucy – what a treat!  Sleep was a welcome but short-lived respite after a sleep-deprived stressful installation week.  I woke wicked early and found myself working at the studio desk at 4 am.  Adrenalin left from the night before coupled with the neglected part of “desk life” kept me from much needed Z’s.  But I grabbed a morning nap before I zipped back over the pass to give a gallery talk at 11:30 am.  The gallery was packed with people on a Saturday morning.  The talk was unexpectedly emotional but fun-non-the-less.  Sharing stories and connecting with people fuels me.

The day was overcast and chilly but I was drawn to gather fresh air so I slipped out of my cowboy boots, pulled on hiking shoes and gloves and busted up the icy “M” trail near Bozeman.  I needed ”sky.”  Drinks (and a oven warm chocolate cookie) with dear sweet artist couple Troy and Coila before the evening lecture (once again wearing the boots and my Aunt Jeanette’s deep blue velvet hat).  Joe Godla, Chief Conservator of the Frick Museum gave a well-researched lecture, which included slides of both Troy’s and my work.  I plan to own a Troy Evans piece one day – checkout Blockhorse Designs.

We ate sushi and drank saki then joined Joe Godla (from the Frick) and Steven Jackson (curator of the Museum of the Rockies) for yet another round of late night libations and art talk before we slunk a bit bleary-eyed over the pass.  Troy and Coila followed in her new VW with their recently adopted dog Jacob to stay the night on the mountain.  Sunday morning we continued the art-talk-energy over a leisurely breakfast before they scooted home to Round Up, Montana.  Coila had a painting to finish and I had two sculptures to begin.

Poignant, humorous and thought-provoking stories within this little weekend recap beg to be told.   Along with that tool-sharpening-studio-cleaning leprechaun I could also really use a blog-writing leprechaun who knows my thoughts and can put into "Amber Words" my stories. Because LORDY I have stories.   But living a storied life leaves little time to blog.

I will do my best to share more.

speaking at the museum of the rockies...

Phew!  I am home a wee bit late after a super sweet "museum members only" evening reception for the new exhibit where two of my pieces are being shown.  I have MUCH to report, ramble and catch up on but considering my current lack of sleep and excess of wine let me simply get down to business:  I promised to let people know the time I will be giving a gallery talk tomorrow: 11:30 a.m. in the gallery at the Museum of the Rockies.  See you there?

sculpture celebration!

COME, SEE AND CELEBRATE! 

My studio will be open Thursday, October 18th from 5-8 pm

VIEW: the latest sculpture before it leaves for a museum exhibit (the 1st in an engaging NEW series) 

SEE: the next sculptures in progress

ENJOY: refreshments

ZIP:  the zip line from my studio to the trees

Directions:  Go south from Livingston on 89 and turn right onto Wineglass Road which is marked by a big ranch gate just past the brown Yellowstone Park Fee road sign.  The dirt road crosses a pasture then veers right after you go over an irrigation ditch and a cattle guard.  A 1/4 mile after the cattle guard there is a Y in the road - stay left on Hideaway Trail.  Continue on the road past driveways and gates until you see gate posts on both sides of the road signaling the end of the road.  This is the beginning of my place.  The studio is visible from the gate on the right.

Call me if you have questions - 223–6669.

See you soon?

chicago and the international sculpture center conference

I am sparking on multiple levels since my return from Chicago where I attended the International Sculpture Center’s conference.  What a wonderful intense whirlwind dive into the art world!  The super-leaded city trip was packed FULL of art, good friends, art, new friends and art.  My mountain top life fuels me spiritually and inspirationally daily but my diet in life needs to be infused with doses of city life – also spiritual and inspirational but what a different flavor!

I savor the flavors.  From bear tracks to train platforms, mountain bike rides to museum jaunts, fireside chats with whisky to swanky posh lounges and fancy cocktails.  I am thankful for friends “outside” – peers like Sanford Biggers who push boundaries, explore and boldly pursue their passions across multiple medias.  The conference was a first for me but certainly not the last!  Chicago is a city bursting at the seams with art.

I boarded the plane early Sunday morning reeling from over-stimulation; beaming from the connections with old friends and the new friends made.  Later that afternoon I watched two young Bambi babies suckle beneath the window of my cozy cabin while snow slid off the roof in the late afternoon sun.  Satiated and wonderfully saturated by the vivid palette that fuels my life.