Greetings from Montana!

Many seasons have passed since I connected with some of you. Life continues to be scrumptious here at the end of the road near the top of a mountain in Paradise Valley. Considered the “Last Best Place,” Montana has more wild critters than people, more dirt roads than pavement, and a constantly changing umbrella of sky that I swear is bigger, moodier, more vivid and inviting than sky elsewhere. I feel blessed to be here where my art is inspired by a passion-driven life. You may know me best as a sculptor who carves wood (and chocolate) but it doesn’t stop there. Sparked by curiosity and more than a fair share of gumption, my creative endeavors include new small playful works on paper, an urge to explore the written word, and story-telling performances. Read on if you’ve a moment...

Mural Commission

Five large detailed murals painted in oil on the walls of the master bedroom for a client of mine in Cleveland kept me busy for nearly a year and a half. I traveled once a month for several weeks at a time and immersed myself in the two-dimensional world of color and light. During the same time period, I renovated my cabin, played chaperone for 10 high school students on a two week trip to Japan, went on two multi-day wilderness white water rafting trips, many climbing trips, a few beach visits with friends, and neglected you…my audience. Oops. The newsletters will be a fun way to reconnect and stay in touch with you.

The Patron Place Launches!

I have dreamed of a sweet little studio leprechaun who appears while I sleep to sharpen my chisels, sweep the studio floor of woodchips and playfully hide decadent chocolates for me to find while working. I have also dreamed of finding a patron who would set me up with a stipend big enough to buy whatever tools and materials I need to continue unleashing the endless creations bursting from my head and heart. The patron would simply expect me to boldly delve into an adventurous passionate authentic pursuit of creation both inside and outside of the studio.
Somewhere between my dreams and the invisible yet real internet an idea hatched: Why not create a grassroots community connected through the love of art, adventure, writing, and story-telling? The patron community would glean insight and motivational sparks through these different media in a retreat-like refuge on the web. My hope is for you to feel a sense of inspiration and encouragement by offering an intimate peek into my bumbling honest authentic journey. I would love for you to be able to be an art collector and enjoy the benefits of becoming a “patron of an artist” by contributing a small amount. The goal is to create a community with enough patrons to essentially become my studio leprechaun and stipend patron all in one, which would free me to create works of art to share in public places without boundaries. If many people contributed a small amount and I in return shared my life and art with them, then we would invent a twist on the traditional patron/artist relationship… warm fuzzies for the masses. Thus…the new website has a Patron Place…where you can join for only $5.95 a month. Each member gets to select a piece of art and enter the inner world of Amber Jean through an internet multi-media experience. Check it out.  The first 25 members who join will be in a drawing for a chance to win one free original work of art!

"Montana Men Don't Have Pantylines"

"She was lying naked on her backside, her neck contorted at an odd angle where he had put it..."

And thus begins the first short story from my life shared on the website with patrons who join the Patron Place.  Each month I will upload one short story which you can either read or listen to (mp3 format available).

New Works on Paper

Painterly, original, playful and fun to create...these sweet little gems are finding homes all over the country.  Last week I sent original Works on Paper to collectors in Texas, California, Oregon, Idaho, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wyoming, and Alaska.  Check them out:

"Cow Punch'n"

A snippet from my journal...

February 14

"I pulled on some silky long johns, blue jeans, and thick socks as the sun rose. Truck gage said nine degrees above zero. Sipping tea, I drove along the Yellowstone River up Paradise Valley in fresh untainted early morning light to Tom Miner Basin. Zaydee and I saw wild sheep along the dirt road. Domestic sheep with playful little lambs kicked around like jumping beans in the corral on the ranch near the river. Snow sparkled; the river flowed between frozen chunks, the jagged Sawtooth Mountains pierced the blue sky horizon. The ragged ridgeline just this side of Yellowstone Park is just the kind of jagged that makes me itch to climb but today was about cows and dogs. If you can get past the poopy butts and slinging snot, cows have a quirky calm beauty to their eyes framed by long lashes...."

Just the beginning from one of the frequent journal entries posted regularly for patrons in the Patron Place (on my website).

Hope to "see" you on the web!

Zaydee and I at the base of frozen falls two weeks ago.  Ice climbing is my favorite winter passion (outside the studio). 

Stay tuned for tales from the ice, previews of projects and pictures of sculptures in the next newsletter.  Call or e-mail anytime!