When the wind howls through the badlands and the snow piles sash deep I can usually be found in my studio capturing Wyoming in glass. My home and studio are in Northeast Wyoming. It’s a remote, nearly forgotten, corner of a sparsely populated state. An area where weather, people livestock and wildlife share the seasons.The Black Hill’s are a pretty morning’s drive through high desert sprinkled with antelope and a big city, say Cheyenne, is a a tank of gas and hours away. The harsh environment, poor soils and isolation make this an unusual location for an artists studio. But, as the great naturalist Aldo Leopoldo wrote, “Only gravel ridges are poor enough to offer pasques full elbow room in April sun. Enduring snows, sleets and bitter winds for the privilege of blooming alone.” For more than three decades My husband Denny and I have pursued our passions at the intersection of art and Wyoming. I works mostly in glass and Denny, works mostly in ranching, though he is also active in creating art works that the two sell through their website, WyomingSilvers.com and at regional venues. The focus of my art the last few years, has been creating Wyoming wildlife in wearable art forms.  All around me Inspiration is abundant.   When creating my pieces, I use numerous reference photos and drawings.  Tip: When my plan is to make a sculptural piece, I often create the image in clay before I begin.  It is helpful as I can roughly see how the piece will come together, this can be taken to the torch for reference. Several years ago, I was fortunate to see White Cloud, a rare white buffalo calf in Jamestown ND.  The White Buffalo are sacred to many Native Americans. The Lakota (Sioux) Nation has passed down The Legend of the White Buffalo–a story now approximately 2,000 years old–at many council meetings, sacred ceremonies, and through the tribe’s storytellers. There are several variations, 

but all are meaningful and tell of the same outcome.  I have created my interpretation of White Cloud in glass and have published tutorials on how to do this.

Jill has been focusing on her silversmithing for several years, the creations are in the same vein as the glasswork.  Organic and reflective of Wyoming life.  Currently they have their own storefront in Upton,  showing at art venues occasionall.