For thousands of years, prayer flags have been created and hung to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. Just as life moves on and is replaced by life - wind, weather and time tattered the flags Raymond and I brought home from Bhutan. The faded prayer cloth is gracing new artworks. The prayers continue with love and compassion. I appreciate the meditative space a recent new series with pieces of the prayer flags evokes in the group show “Show the Flag” at Stapleton Gallery. The artists’ various emotional responses to the American flag results in an evoking show (open for viewing by appointment and online). I chose prayer flags as a medium rather than the American flag - they are a reflective contrast. A large church pew sits in front of them.
Tropical Honeymoon
Nearly four years have zipped by since Raymond and I wed. The honeymoon just hadn’t happened despite the fact that it was a wedding gift from Raymond’s sister and her husband. The fact that they gifted us some cash for plane tickets this past Christmas seemed like more-than-a hint; perhaps we should figure a honeymoon into 2020. One dark evening in February while digging my truck out of an impossibly long and deep snowdrift during a full-on blizzard - I decided perhaps it was time to go on a honeymoon; one week in paradise at a resort complete with beach and jungle. Two weeks later Raymond and I enjoyed a purely relaxing magical week together - literally just moments before the whole Covid-19 implications changed all of our worlds. What a blessing….!
Birthday Blessings
Between sketchy backcountry roads and avalanche danger threatening many ice climbs; my super sweet climbing partner (dear friend Supy) treated me to a stellar fantastically fun blue bird ski day at Bridger Bowl for my birthday. Delicious home-made-with-love-by-my-mother-in-law German Chocolate Cake packed in a carrier was our pre-ski and apres-ski snack. Candlelight claw foot tub soak with wine and appetizers prepared by Raymond. The rest of the cozy-at-home birthday date night with my husband was dreamy. Still smiling from the inside out with gratitude and awe. Damn I’m lucky.
Valentine's Day - memories of mother
Mom was giddy. Those first years after cancer took Dad, Mom stepped out with sweet eager curiosity and newfound freedom. She wanted her hair short (something Dad didn’t encourage). She was keen to embrace life, love and be seen. Alzheimer’s had moved into her mind years earlier. Our response to its hunger and greed during this short bright chapter (before it gobbled voraciously) was to seek out and soak up the bright moments sparkling in the simplest things - like the photo booth at a Tart Gallery Valentine’s party eight years ago. Today was a somewhat rare domestic day for me. I cleaned our home and baked cookies. A few simple kitchen gestures are linked directly to Mom (fluff the flour with a spoon, flip the spoon to make chopping motions on the flour in the measuring cup before dispensing the excess to make a perfect measurement). Mom ground her own flour (the gluten-free almond flour I use a distant cousin). I felt Mom in my kitchen today. A smile rides alongside my tears as the last batch of cookies bake in the oven. Happy Valentines Mom. I love you.
Presentation at SBCAST
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.”
Carving for the King - inspiring slideshow
I became the first woman to carve in the country of Bhutan when the Prime Minister (his Excellency Dasho Tshering Tobgay) asked me to create an artwork in a retreat palace for their revered king. My adventurous story unfolded during three lengthy trips to the fairytale kingdom of Bhutan nestled high in the Himalayan Mountains.
“Bhutan is a magical country steeped in tradition, color and kindness. My experience was transformative; which means of course that along with vivid rich awe-inspiring joy there were intense challenges on top of challenges that tested my mettle.I dug deep. Art triumphed. Both myself and the country are forever changed.”
JULY 16
6:30-8:00
at the Museum of the Rockies
(hosted by the Bozeman Art Museum)
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.
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
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.
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..
Tala's Birthday
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.