Amber Blazina is a contemporary western oil painter, specializing in Impressionist and Expressionist alla prima methods. She melds her vast experience in design, the research and knowledge of painters with/of whom she has studied, and the experiences of her rural Montana upbringing to create bold, energetic paintings. A freelance graphic designer 2002, she transitioned to oil painting in 2016, becoming a full-time painter in 2017. Amber has recently received recognition as an Associate Member of the Society of Animal Artists, among only 16 given this distinction in 2018. Amber was interviewed and published for an article in the April/May 2018 issue of Western Art & Architecture, which also featured one of her iconic Blue Deer paintings, Emerging. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a finalist and several meritorious entries in the Rochester75 International Small Works 2018 Art Competition, Daily Paintworks March 2017 1st Place Winner, ArtMuse Finalist Emerging Artist awards in March, April, & July 2017, and the ArtMuse Emerging Winner in November 2018. She resides and paints in the Rocky Mountains, in her beloved home state of Montana.