Amber Roper, Fibers Artist: Chaotic But Colorful (S2 E28)

Explicit content warning

04/03/22 • 51 min

Amber Roper is a fibers artists, considered by Saatchi Arts to a "Rising Star" in their elite group of 35 under 35 international artists in 2020. She is founder of the Bluhen Studio in London, England, which translates to "Flourish and Blossom," and you will soon learn how perfect this name is for Amber.
Amber grew up in London, and despite initial wanting's to break free, like many a restless young-adult, she stayed-put given her being accepted to the prestigious Central Saint Martins University. She found the philosophy of that institution to be a perfect fit, especially given her needing a bit of a hand-up. Her background is modest, being first-generation-college from working class family, and with many siblings. Frankly speaking, many (including Amber) would not have called her university material. Complicating things more, she learned that she was carrying a diagnosis of Dyslexia, which answered many questions for Amber.
Amber Roper is amazing in her recognition that support in the form of having her creativity be not only be recognized and seen, but to also be "championed" by her parents, and more recently her musically-inclined partner.
Amber has since graduated from Central St. Martins, she has exhibited internationally, garnered critical acclaim, awards and notable, a tremendous sense of balance and appreciation for her role as a a new mom, and an artist. That is what drew us to her and it was a total pleasure to talk with Amber Rober.
Amber's website: https://thebluhenstudio.london/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebluhenstudio/ or @theBluhenstudio
Kites and Strings Website: https://www.kitesandstrings.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitesandstringspodcast
Twitter: @Kitesandstrings
Instagram: @Kites_and_strings
email: [email protected]
Kites and String's is produced and edited by Steve Ploum at Turning Stones Counseling, Inc.
Our theme music is by Harrison Amer, and all other original music by purple planet music at https://www.purple-planet.com. Our logo-design is by Cole Monroe at Blue Stag Creative.

Previous Episode

Jason Schneider, Game Designer: The Last Thing You Want To Do Is Drive the Compromise Bus (S2 E27)

In bygone days you had a closet full of board games, or you kept them on a shelf in the basement, and every now and again you'd gather folks around the table to play. And aside that one story we had about the broke dude in Atlantic City inventing the game Monopoly, until the last decade or two, there was no attention paid to the idea that somebody created those games, that experience, or the gaming environment, which is the term oft-used in our discussion today.
Our guest is Jason Schneider. He is one of the creatives who has helped bring board games back to the fore. We have a great discussion about the phenomenon of gaming, the types of games, the different elements of a game and how, despite the growing presence of video games, table-top games remain the real deal. This is especially true for people wanting actual human connection, like that which is experienced playing a rambunctious party game, a strategic thinker with your nerdy friends, or a cooperative game on family game night.
As the VP of Product Development at Gamewright, a game company with over 200 titles that focuses on family friendly games, Jason knows the business, and he provides a tremendous peak inside the process of creating games; from the initial idea to development to testing to marketing and finally to that game being on your dining room table. Maybe that game being played tonight in your home is one of Gamewright's super creative games, like Slamwich, Sushi Go, Super Mega Lucky Box, Gubs, Forbidden Planet , Abandon All Artichokes or any other game in Gamewright's massive, highly acclaimed catalogue.
So it's your move, press play and enjoy your journey through the Kites and Strings environment with Jason Schneider.
Gamewright Games https://gamewright.com/
Facebook - @gamewright
Kites and Strings Website: https://www.kitesandstrings.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitesandstringspodcast
Twitter: @Kitesandstrings
Instagram: @Kites_and_strings
email: [email protected]
Kites and String's is produced and edited by Steve Ploum at Turning Stones Counseling, Inc.
Our theme music is by Harrison Amer, and all other original music by purple planet music at https://www.purple-planet.com. Our logo-design is by Cole Monroe at Blue Stag Creative.

Next Episode

Dom Flemons, American Songster: Music Isn't Just a Musical Experience (S2 E29)

Today's guest, Dom Flemons, co-founded the Carolina Chocolate Drops in 2005, and on their third studio album, Genuine Negro Jig they won the 2010 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. His 2018 album, Black Cowboys, recorded on the Smithsonian Folkways label, was nominated for a 2019 Grammy in the same category, and he has been nominated for two Emmys. Most recently he was awarded the prestigious 2020 United States Artist Fellowship and his 2014 album , Prospect Hill with Omnibus Records, has been re-issued.
He has adopted the moniker "American Songster," and this was not him just claiming a title that sounded cool. Nope, its earned. not only by way of the awards and high-praise he has received for his contributions to 20+ album collaborations, along with his seven solo albums, but also because he puts in the work researching what he plays.
We learn so much from Don in this episode, not the least being that he has let his interest in his heritage and the music he has identified with over the years pull him into some very fruitful rabbit holes. So yes, he's a historian, but he's also allowed his ongoing education about cultures in which he's identified, as well as about the music, it's origins stories and about the instruments used to create such music. And of course, he's become a master on many of those instruments over the years. Check of the links below to learn more about Dom Flemons, but in the mean time, settle in for some string grabbing and kite flying with Dom Flemons.
Dom's website - https://theamericansongster.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DomFlemonsMusic/
Instagram - @domflemons
To purchase tickets at the June 10, 2022, Wexler Group Trail Mix Concert Series (the series founded by Steve) featuring Don Flemons https://www.trailmixmusic.org/
Kites and Strings Website: https://www.kitesandstrings.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitesandstringspodcast
Twitter: @Kitesandstrings
Instagram: @Kites_and_strings
email: [email protected]
Kites and String's is produced and edited by Steve Ploum at Turning Stones Counseling, Inc.
Our theme music is by Harrison Amer, and all other original music by purple planet music at https://www.purple-planet.com. Our logo-design is by Cole Monroe at Blue Stag Creative.