Born on a rural Idaho ranch, J.R. currently resides near
Missoula, Montana, where she works in her home studio.
“When I am sculpting, I am disconnected from everything and
it is a delight.” Self taught J.R. has enjoyed a successful
career as a full-time professional artist since 1988. “There
was a time when I regretted not having a formal art
education. I now realize this has allowed me to develop my
own style, and the work I enjoy creating today probably could
not have evolved in any other way.” J.R.’s confidence in her
own unique style is apparent when comparing her earlier
works with her more recent expressions. Like many artists in
the west, J.R. felt compelled to sculpt only representational
Native American and western figures. “When I first started
exhibiting I would look around and compare myself to the
successful (mostly male) sculptors and felt that I should also
sculpt these more masculine representations. While I could
appreciate, and somewhat relate to those figures, I kept
many of my more expressive urges on the shelf.” Once
gaining enough credibility and success through museums
and galleries, J.R. let go of her boundaries and her distinctive
style shone through. “My figures and their individual
expressions are brought from my own mind, without the use
of models or photos.”
Ms. Eason’s sculpture is easily recognized. With each piece,
be it Native American, cowboy, or cross-cultural woman, the
viewer is immediately drawn to the face. Here, you see and
feel the emotion and relate to the message the artist
portrays. “It is important to me that my work has a face. This
way my figures are not inanimate objects, but rather individual
depictions of human emotion, grace and personality.” Not
only are the depths of her creativity seen in her sculpture but
in her words as well. “Poetry has always been there as a
remedy for me and I like to use it to convey what I am thinking
as I am creating a piece, it helps me explain where the
emotion or the attitude came from.”
J.R.’s work has found its way to collectors across the United
States and Canada, as well as over seas. Her work may be
seen at the following galleries: May galleries, The Borgata,
Scottsdale, AZ; Yoshida Gallery, Portland, OR; K.D. Moore
Gallery, Denver, CO; and Center Street Gallery, Jackson,
WY. J.R. personally exhibits her work at the following Fine Art
shows: La Quinta Arts Festival, La Quinta, CA; The
Celebration of Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ; Carefree Fine Art &
Wine Festival, Carefree, AZ; Beaver Creek Arts Festival,
Beaver Creek, CO; Phippen Museum’s Western Art Show &
Sale, Prescott, AZ; and the Charles M. Russell Art Show &
Auction, Great Falls, MT. Publications include: Southwest
Art, Cowboys and Indians, and Art of the West magazines. J.
R.’s book, “Life, A Full Vessel”...a collection of poetry and
sculpture, can be found in bookstores everywhere.
Missoula, Montana, where she works in her home studio.
“When I am sculpting, I am disconnected from everything and
it is a delight.” Self taught J.R. has enjoyed a successful
career as a full-time professional artist since 1988. “There
was a time when I regretted not having a formal art
education. I now realize this has allowed me to develop my
own style, and the work I enjoy creating today probably could
not have evolved in any other way.” J.R.’s confidence in her
own unique style is apparent when comparing her earlier
works with her more recent expressions. Like many artists in
the west, J.R. felt compelled to sculpt only representational
Native American and western figures. “When I first started
exhibiting I would look around and compare myself to the
successful (mostly male) sculptors and felt that I should also
sculpt these more masculine representations. While I could
appreciate, and somewhat relate to those figures, I kept
many of my more expressive urges on the shelf.” Once
gaining enough credibility and success through museums
and galleries, J.R. let go of her boundaries and her distinctive
style shone through. “My figures and their individual
expressions are brought from my own mind, without the use
of models or photos.”
Ms. Eason’s sculpture is easily recognized. With each piece,
be it Native American, cowboy, or cross-cultural woman, the
viewer is immediately drawn to the face. Here, you see and
feel the emotion and relate to the message the artist
portrays. “It is important to me that my work has a face. This
way my figures are not inanimate objects, but rather individual
depictions of human emotion, grace and personality.” Not
only are the depths of her creativity seen in her sculpture but
in her words as well. “Poetry has always been there as a
remedy for me and I like to use it to convey what I am thinking
as I am creating a piece, it helps me explain where the
emotion or the attitude came from.”
J.R.’s work has found its way to collectors across the United
States and Canada, as well as over seas. Her work may be
seen at the following galleries: May galleries, The Borgata,
Scottsdale, AZ; Yoshida Gallery, Portland, OR; K.D. Moore
Gallery, Denver, CO; and Center Street Gallery, Jackson,
WY. J.R. personally exhibits her work at the following Fine Art
shows: La Quinta Arts Festival, La Quinta, CA; The
Celebration of Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ; Carefree Fine Art &
Wine Festival, Carefree, AZ; Beaver Creek Arts Festival,
Beaver Creek, CO; Phippen Museum’s Western Art Show &
Sale, Prescott, AZ; and the Charles M. Russell Art Show &
Auction, Great Falls, MT. Publications include: Southwest
Art, Cowboys and Indians, and Art of the West magazines. J.
R.’s book, “Life, A Full Vessel”...a collection of poetry and
sculpture, can be found in bookstores everywhere.
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Ph: 406.793.0888