About the Artist
Amber Sampson is a Montana-based wildlife artist known for her expressive oil paintings that capture the spirit and presence of animals. Raised with a deep love for both art and animals, her early life was shaped by a constant connection to wildlife, horses, and the natural world across Oklahoma and Kansas.
She earned her degree in Fine Art from Clemson University, where she focused on drawing and painting, laying the foundation for her distinctive painterly style. Today, her work blends traditional oil techniques with a contemporary, painterly approach to light, movement, and emotional presence.
Now based near Bozeman, Montana, Amber draws daily inspiration from the surrounding landscape and wildlife. Her paintings- particularly her growing body of grizzly bear work- explore the quiet power, individuality, and presence of animals.
An associate member of the Oil Painters of America, American Women Artists, and Cowgirl Artists of America, Amber continues to build a body of work that resonates with collectors who are deeply connected to wildlife and the West.
Artist Statement 2026:
My work explores the presence, power, and individuality of animals rooted in the Western landscape. Through oil paint, I aim to capture not just their likeness, but the quiet intensity and spirit that define them. Some subjects are placed within their natural environment, while others emerge from dark, minimal backgrounds- allowing expression, movement, and body language to take precedence. My process is driven by expressive brushwork, particularly in the eyes and texture of the fur, where I seek to create a sense of life and personality.
A defining element of my work is the use of splatter, which introduces both energy and interpretation. Viewers often see rain, water, or motion within these marks- suggesting the environment without fully defining it. This balance between realism and abstraction allows space for personal connection.
Living in Montana, I draw daily inspiration from direct encounters with wildlife, deepening my understanding of their presence and behavior. More recently, my work has expanded to include figures within Western culture, particularly cowgirls and Native American subjects. These pieces explore the enduring relationship between humans and animals, as well as the symbolism, heritage, and identity embedded within the West.
For commission inquiries please email me: [email protected]
CV
AMBER RODY SAMPSON July 1991
Born in Oklahoma City, OK.
Currently lives and works in Bozeman, MT
Education
May 2013 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Galleries
October 2021 - June 2022: The Resort at Paws Up- Greenough, MT
December 2018 - September: 2020 Crown Gallery USA- Blowing Rock, NC
June 2017 - August 2019: Reinert Fine Art -Charleston, SC
October 2014- May 2017: Treasure Nest Art Gallery- Mt. Pleasant, SC
Solo Exhibitions
November 4th- December 1st, 2022 'Spirit of the Animal' Art Focus Fine Art- Hamilton, MT
October 2018 ‘Animal Portraits’ Reinert Fine Art- Blowing Rock, NC
May 2013 Clemson University BFA Show
Group Exhibitions
July 1oth, 2026- Moonlight Basin Gala and Auction in Big Sky, MT
February 2026- 2nd Annual Masters of Equine Art Online Show - Wild Heart Art Gallery
August 8th, 2025- Coup de Rouge Fashion and Fine Art Show at Red Lodge Mountain in Red Lodge, MT
March 20-23, 2025- Legends West Art Show at the 4 Seasons Arena at MT Expo Park in Great Falls, MT
March 14-16, 2024- The Out West Art Show and Sale at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, MT
January 18-19th, 2023 - Art of the Cowgirl- Quick Finish & Silent Auction in Queen Creek, AZ
August 2023- NOAPS 2023 Associate Member Online Exhibition
Sep16-18th, 2022- Wildlife Expo in Anaconda, MT
June 24th-July 20th, 2002 - Contemporary Animals' Duo Show at Frame Garden in Livingston, MT
July 16-18th, 2022- Big Sky Art Auction in Big Sky, Montana
June 2022- Fusion Art's Online Western Exhibition
March 2022- 4th Annual Into the Wild Art Online International Exhibition
November 2021-Colors of Humanity Art Gallery, International Online Juried 'Animals' Show
October 15th- November 27th, 2021 -Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Mark Arts, Wichita KS
September 2021-Fusion Art, 6th Annual Animal Kingdom Online Juried Exhibition
April 2021- Jones Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri
February 2020- Fusion Art, 5th Annual Artist's Choice Online Juried Exhibition
March 2019- Fusion Art, 4th Annual Animal Kingdom Online Juried Exhibition
November 2018- Colors of Humanity Art Gallery, International Online Juried 'Animals' Show
October 2018- Fusion Art, ’Into the Wild' International Juried Art Exhibition
January 2018- Fusion Art, 3rd Annual 'Animal Kingdom’ Online Juried Art Exhibition
November 2017 - Colors of Humanity International Online Juried 'Animals' Show
September 2017- Women Painters of the Southeast 6th Annual Juried Online Show
Awards & Recognitions
February 2026- 'Activism Award' 2nd Annual Masters of Equine Art Online Show - Wild Heart Art Gallery
December 2024- Boldbrush Art Competition Fav15%, selected painting: "Reflection of a Queen"
March 2024- 'Most Distinguished Body of Work" for Western Art Week by Portfolio Art Magazine. Out West Art Show & Sale, Great Falls, MT.
November 2023- Second place Winner in Colors of Humanity Art Gallery International Online 'Animals' Juried Show, painting "Kings of Yellowstone"
June 2022- Fusion Art's Online Western Exhibition, Honorable Mention "The King, Bruno"
March 2022- Boldbrush Art Competition Fav15%, selected painting: "Beast Mode II"
February 2022- Boldbrush Art Competition Fav15%, selected painting: "Out of the Shadows"
December 2021- Southwest Art Magazine "Artistic Excellence" Top 100 Finalist, featured painting "Last Call"
November 2021- 'Noteworthy' Recognition in Colors of Humanity Art Gallery International Online 'Animals' Juried Show, painting: "Selfie"
July 2021- Boldbrush Art Competition Fav15%, selected painting: "Last Call"
June 2021- Boldbrush Art Competition Fav15%, selected painting: "Bandit"
September 2019 Southwest Art Magazine -“21 Under 31” Young Artists to Collect Now, featuring "Motley Crew Waitin for the Hunt"
November 2018- 1st Place Winner in Colors of Humanity Art Gallery International Online 'Animals' Juried Show, winning painting: "Motley Crew Waitin' for the Hunt"
Publications
October 2026- 399 Forever Film, Coming to Amazon Prime October 16th. Featuring my dance reel with my painting "Night Ride".
September 2026- Western Art Collector Magazine, Wildlife Art, featuring "Stoic One" page 135 and page 138, "Fierce Beauty" page 140.
August 2023- Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine with American Women Artists, featuring “Breakthrough” page 35.
June 2023- Southwest Art Magazine “The Animal Kingdom”, featuring “Bonita Burro” page 78
September 2022- Southwest Art Magazine "Ones to Collect", featuring "Rain Warrior" and "Try and Take My Freedom", page 93
June 2022- Southwest Art Magazine "Wonderful Wildlife & Animals", featuring “Allure” and “Ram-ba-lam” page 85
December 2021- Southwest Art Magazine "Artistic Excellence" Top 100 Finalist, featured painting "Last Call", page 61
August 2020- Clemson University World Magazine featuring "Tranquil Cub"
September 2019- Southwest Art Magazine “21 Under 31” Young Artists to Collect Now, featuring "Motley Crew Waitin for the Hunt", page 91
Professional Affiliations
Oil Painters of America, Associate Member: 2018- current
American Women Artists, Associate Member: 2018-2024
Cowgirl Artists of America, Founding Member: May 2022-current
National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society: May 2023- December 2024
