It all started when…

Hello!

It's always interesting and insightful when you decide to sit down and write something about yourself. Kind of fun... as you get down to the core essence of who you are. Here's a little bit about me and my studio.

I'm an artist and designer surrounded by great friends, family, nature & animals. I am an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Shoshone – Wind River Reservation located in central Wyoming, USA .  I love to travel and study history for inspiration especially throughout Indian Country. I love to meet people. I love art of all kinds, and the simple textures of everyday things. Sketching, painting, beading, reading, meditation and music are all passions of mine. I spend a lot of time creating and running my business and traveling to meet with new friends and old, - I love it all! I have three grown and on their own superb children, my oldest daughter Swan and my ONLY son Stacey is my middle child. I also have a beautiful daughter my youngest, Sophia. My circle is complete with numerous rez dogs, cats and livestock. They're ALWAYS close by!

My story is not different from anyone else's, only my experiences are unique to me. I've been " making things " all my life; drawing as early as I can remember and learning to bead and sew at age 6. I've been hugely influenced by my grandmother and my Mom... two dynamic women who shared their love of traditional and contemporary arts & crafts and always supported my desire to follow my creative heart. I worked hard in art and engineering school to hone my skill and became obsessed with surface design, fashion and architecture. I was fortunate to always have the ability to work for myself both during and right out of school. I soon started filling my personal creative time with making small creations out of vintage fabric and home accessories for the interior design industry and selling them in local shops Colorado and Arizona. I’ve also worked as a free-lance illustration artist, interior designer and architect for the past 25 years. In 2012 I decided to move back to the United States from Canada to be near my family and start my art studio “Joanne Brings Thunder, LLC". Over the years I have developed a breadth of artwork and products for clients worldwide always believing I will continue to evolve and grow this creative track of mine. Keeping on this path, putting one foot in front of the other one creative experience and opportunity has led to the next, ultimately allowing me to come full circle and create a number of boutique businesses that incorporates my biggest passions design, painting, illustration, beading and sewing while connecting with people.

This artistic energy extends into the way I run my business and work to effect positive changes in my community and beyond. Every decision is looked at with respect to how it will affect other people. I want to improve the lives of those whom I touch. Working to live sustainably as part and parcel of everything I do in my studio, and of how I try to lead my life. This philosophy is inherent : reusing vintage clothing and furnishings, making your own beautiful home and fashion items, gardening organically to help sustain your ecosystem, and simply—well, living simply. “Giving back " is also a key fundamental and traditional value as a native person and is a great privilege. It's a way of life that elevates the spirit and encourages those around you to take responsibility for and ownership of society as a whole. A better world constantly needs to be maintained, not finally achieved. I work to sustain a boutique industry of fellow artisans including young emerging artists. We regularly engage in fundraisers for our native sisters throughout Indian country and I support the area's local animal shelter. When your community supports you, I believe it's vital to work to maintain a healthy, viable relationship with it. This is essential to the optimistic vision that inspires me, and it is dear to my heart.

One of my core beliefs is that through who we are and what we do, we can inspire great change in ourselves, each other, and in the world. I believe that we can inspire those around us to become happier & more confident through finding their own creativity. That's the wonderful thing about making art! Finding creative fire, love, passion, excitement, and pure joy in the little everyday things... taking note and loving and appreciating every moment. I feel fortunate to be on my path nurturing my creative spark, and I love hearing about other like-minded individuals who are finding theirs! It's a beautiful process, we're all in it together... growing, learning and becoming.

If you would like to send me a note, I'd love to hear from you and I especially love seeing how you have worn my jewelry textile or other accessories! You can write to me at jbringsthunder@gmail.com.

Beauty is in the way you live. Enjoy your surroundings. Let them inspire you. Follow your own path, and approach everything you do with love in your heart.

Much Love, JBT.