About Laura
Inspiration
Welcome to the world of Laura Jean, where Montana's breathtaking landscapes inspire unparalleled metal and glass artistry. Immersed in lush forests, towering mountains, vibrant wildflowers, and diverse wildlife, Laura Jean finds her creative spark. As you explore Laura Jean's gallery of creations, each piece encapsulates the essence of Montana's untamed beauty. From the delicate wildflower petals to the majestic wildlife, every creation reflects the soulful inspiration drawn from Gods natural wonders. Discover more about Laura Jean's process and inspirations. Join the journey of capturing Montana's wilderness through metal and glass artistry, witnessing the stories told by each meticulously crafted sculpture. Engage with Laura Jean on social media to stay updated on her latest creations and insights. Connect with a thriving community passionate about Montana's art scene. Experience the essence of Montana's wilderness translated into awe-inspiring sculptures. Explore, engage, and be captivated by the spirit of Laura Jean's artistic vision.
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Background
In 2012 I was hired to work on a natural gas pipeline in North Dakota. I practiced welding a lot, on breaks and after hours. Mostly it was because I fell in love with the way I was able to move that molten puddle. My artist’s eye saw rose petals hiding in the curve of the pipe and was awed by the colors of heated steel. Welding steel to steel creates sparks. Sparks create a magical environment, even in a North Dakota winter.
Montana is where I began the nuts and bolts of my experimentation in crafting with steel as a medium, mostly nuts and bolts and a hoarder-size collection of rusting metal. It was cheap and abundant. After selling a number of scorpion sculptures, crafted mainly from sparkplugs, I gained confidence that my visions had value. Perhaps I had some talent? After winning a local contest for my woman-size, scrap metal sculpture art piece “Rust Chick”, I recognized her significance not only for the inspiration of winning but also her symbolism. I had created a projection of my life story. As I was able, I acquired different tools and materials to explore new metal art and design techniques and taught myself.
Statement
Art is an expression
one tries to project to another by capturing it in a medium. Mine is metal. I constantly explore shapes I visualize in a piece of metal or in the combination of forms that I see in nature.
Medium
I love working with steel. My latest creations have expanded into using stainless steel, copper, and glass as well as creating custom clay molds for my fused glass work. I enjoy experimenting with different materials and treasures found at antique shops and scrap yards.