Love and difficult loss...

A moment shared with Kia to admire the “pretty” rocks she gleefully plucked from the gravel outside the community hall at the fairgrounds in Elko. Beauty can be found in unexpected places, welcome always but perhaps most especially in the tangled weeds of emotions grown wild in the aftermath of the shared grief and love expressed at the gathering to celebrate Randy’s life. I didn’t know Raymond’s cousin, his well worn laced boots and hand-tooled leather belt small tribute to a young man much admired for his exceptional talent training horses and his big love for little people like Kia. Three years ago Randy traveled the distance to Montana to celebrate our marriage, a lean handsome sun-weathered spirited soul whose stories as a horse whisperer preceded him; the love and esteem Raymond and family held for him evident.

Rest in Peace Randy

Sometimes you must take the plunge...

I’ve completed two intensive workshop retreats during the last two weeks. Today Raymond and I leave to immerse in a one-day creative workshop together this weekend. The last two weekend workshops shifted, stretched, renewed and resurfaced parts of myself in a zillion positive ways. I am blessed (and excited to return to my studio…!!!)

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.

Kinda surreal - speaking on stage at the Wilma Theater for The Moth

Stretched myself….in front of a packed theater full of 1400 peeps last week. Phew….! Honestly, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into and the work that goes into crafting a story within a time frame for an audience. Was I scared? Hell yes. Did I do it anyway? Yup.

Sharing story seems to be part of my calling. I listen - to those parts of me that are actually bigger than me which pull, push or nudge me to go deeper. What a deep dive into a bubbly (sometimes effervescent sometime thick gooey) brew of “new.” Thank goodness for executive producer Sarah Austin Jenness for her story coaching, encouragement and tough love. I’m full of gratitude for the opportunity and gumption to continue to grow in the creative realm of storytelling.

The Moth Mainstage

(real stories told live)

Carving for the King

Full of gratitude for the gracious audience who packed the Green Door Gallery last night. Your rapt attention and candid emotional engagement is proof that my story is your story...

Pine Creek Writer's Night

Many well-known published and aspiring writers live in Livingston. The cozy local destination spot Pine Creek Lodge hosts one evening each month in the Winter Writer Series for a local writer to read and share. I’m honored. I have also invited a special secret guest to read from his writings (hint: I’m married to him).

Details at PINE CREEK LODGE

Potent launch into 2019

I gained extra time in the studio, climbed more ice, started and finished several books. January included an impromptu trip to New York, triple the norm yoga classes, a bright life-changing four day intense retreat at Elevation Barn and two art world fundraiser events. I nursed my niece through surgery, enjoyed lotsa love making, thoughtfully plotted life n work, wrote, hiked n xskied with Tala regularly, cleared my desk, and made more time to chat and hang with friends. A rewarding launch into 2019. Fueled and freshened..

New Year...goodness...!

The number 2019 is appealing to me for some reason. Perhaps because“19” is a favorite number of mine. “19” looks and feels like an even number - a friendly number - without the angles of "3, 5, 7” or the simplicity of “1.” Plus “19” is my birthday number although I swear my attraction to the number isn’t because I was born on the 19th. The newest bronze will be offered in an edition of only 19 - just wait til you see it!!!

Sip n Zip - Summer Studio Celebration

You're invited! 

(your friends and family too...)

We are hosting a summer celebration at the studio, and we want you to join us!   We will be showing photos of my artwork for the King of Bhutan.  There will be a SNEAK PREVIEW - of the NEW palm size bronze and the official public debut of the NEW "Queen of the Night" series.  We are so excited to share my studio with all you. We will have hors d'oeuvres, live music and (of course) the zip line.

Drop by anytime during the evening of Thursday July 19, 5 PM - 9 PM

To RSVP, email amber@amberjean.com

If you can't join us, that's ok! I will be blogging about what is sure to be a fun-filled evening.

Museum Shindig

After spending much of the week wearing Carhartts at the National Wildlife Art Museum as the Artist in Action, it was a nice change to put on a dress and heels to attend the gala event "Rise of the Fenix" hosted by Amy Ringholz (the following week’s Artist in Action).

Artist in Action at the National Museum of Wildlife Art

What a trip for me to leave the solitude of my studio at the end of the road near the top of a mountain for a week of sharing tools and inspiration with people of all ages!  Jackson is a magical place nestled in the well-muscled arms of Momma Nature on steroids.  The National Museum of Wildlife Art is a grand stone castle-like animal art dream world.  My days began with early morning mountain bike rides up Cache Creek near my dear friend Leslie’s house (she hosted Zaydee and I for the week).  The museum hosted a special event artist’s talk with an impressive turn out and so much fun!!!

The best part of my work at the museum was connecting with, inspiring and empowering people.  I love to see a light go on when people handle a power tool for the first time!  Hard to pick a favorite moment but one of my many enduring memories was with a matronly southern belle decked out in broad brimmed hat and bling who had never had a power tool in her hand but took after it with all the gumption of a baseball pro hitting a home run.  I didn’t think she was going to leave a significant chunk of wood uncarved – she kept at it with gusto.

What a fine fun opportunity and a grand week spent in the shadow of the Tetons.

Sip and Zip Party...!

Next week the sculptures will be going to the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY where I am an artist in residence from July 7-11.

Thursday, June 26th I want to celebrate with you...!  (5-8 pm)

Many of you have followed my journey creating the large reliquary sculptures.  The most recent series  “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” was featured in my TEDx talk and is currently installed at the Cancer Center in the Billings Clinic.  The idea of creating healing sanctuaries within public places such as hospitals resonates as part of my calling as an artist.  But what you might not know is that for years I have been experimenting with the challenge to create meaningful small-scale reliquaries - intimate sculptures that pack the same punch.  Nothing I created captivated me until this year when at last the puzzle pieces fell together.

A whole new series and scale kept me sequestered in the studio for months.  

I am sooooo excited about the new works….!

Influenced by Native American feather baskets I saw in the Denver Art Museum a few winters ago, the niches are “feathered.”   My recent obsession with old barbwire continues to weave itself into the art along with a life-long fascination with animal skulls.  The result is a new series of eighteen sculptures titled with lines from Pablo Neruda’s prose.