We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Downs Blazina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, what is the most important factor behind your success?
That’s a great question. I’ve answered this a few times with a few different factors, but they all pointed to one thing: Listen to that fire in your soul. Your body is going to tell you when you are in the direction of your true path and when you are making decisions based off of others’ wishes (people-pleasing). I’ve been lucky enough to chase that fire after I made a few detours in my life. I didn’t start painting until I was 36. And let’s be honest, as a business owner who pays bills based off of my handmade product, there are times when I make the decision to honor others’ feelings over my own through commissions. but I’ve learned to set boundaries around these projects to protect both parties involved. I am here to tell you that the older you get, the less bullish*t your body will put up with before it starts to break down and force you to make those brave decisions that honor you however uncomfortable they seem in the moment (hello, autoimmune diseases). Those self-preserving decisions become feeling less selfish and more necessary for daily life to flow. And fortune truly does favor those brave enough to protect that fire.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Time in the studio is the main focus of my days. To support that, routines set up to foster this time are essential: hiring a house cleaner, exercising or meditating to connect with my body, scheduling time with family and friends to balance the solitude. There is computer admin time each week adding new inventory to my website, building ads for magazines (I was a graphic designer in my former career, so those skills help me when it comes to building ads and marketing), and replying to website and social media inquiries. I keep a plein air setup in my car so I can get out into the landscape and paint during the day. Those little studies come in handy when I’m looking for new resource images for paintings. Every few months I drive a load of paintings to Jackson, Wyoming, which has become my second home.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I just visited Paris, and it turns out that people worldwide are intrigued with Yellowstone — both the Park and the TV series. Since we spend a lot of time driving/finding/photographing animals, I would say a drive to Yellowstone National Park would be the order of the day, and hope to see grizzly and black bears, wolves, bison, fox, antelope, deer. Then a stop at our favorite hot springs for a dip in the mineral water, dinner and drinks at a local steakhouse — The Old Saloon in Emigrant is a great spot. It’s the perfect mix of old Montana country bar and fine dining.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I will forever be indebted to the artists who have come before me, who pushed boundaries and styles and marched to the beat of their own drum.

But for sure I would not be where I am today without the help of the following:

An especially huge shoutout to my husband and my daughter for following me and supporting me along this crazy adventure the past 7 years; All the shlepping of big heavy art and supplies to art fairs and galleries around the Rocky Mountain region, the late nights, the tears, the oil paint on everything, the obsession, the burnout, but also the triumph and success. The support and encouragement from my mom and dad, my sister, and my friends has been invaluable, especially when I start to lose faith in myself. The mentorship of the MAP program through the Montana Arts Council, teaching me and hundreds of artisans how to become successful in rural Montana was invaluable to me becoming a professional artist. The gallerists who saw the spark in my work and promoted me through representation, advertisements, and shows. The large group of western artists who I consider family. It definitely takes a village, and I am so grateful to be able to paint for a living.

Website: amberblazina.com

Instagram: amberblazina

Facebook: Amber Blazina Fine Art

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