Meet Jennifer Linders – Glover | Stone Carver, Photographer, Sculptor & Registered Nurse First Assistant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Linders=Glover and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I always had a love for art, and creating whenever I had the opportunity. My photography became an obsession. I couldn’t stop shooting. It has been all about nature and landscapes!! Trees and waterfalls are a particular favorite, that I love to photograph. I have traveled to Iceland, Costa Rica, across Europe just to name a few.

I started with the local Arts Festivals, but it was more of an emotional enjoyment… capturing those moments in time that are here now and GONE FOREVER. Old barns or trees that fall down and rot into the ground, all having a story to be told. Maybe my photos will bring a tear or a smile to just one person. I spent time travel nursing and used that to my advantage to photograph the wild horses near San Luis, Colorado. I spent 7 months at one period and another 4 months. I was able to save two baby horses during this time, which felt like an explosion of joy!!! I spent hours with these mustangs, studying their behavior, creating a trust and building a relationship with them. They recognized the smell of my hair when I would let it down so the scent would blow across the mesa. I pretended to be just part of the band, pretending to eat and dig up grass. I wanted them to know I was safe… a friend. this paid off in so many ways, not only in their beauty but healing of my soul. My love for the earth and nature is just ….

While on this particular journey, I came across a Native American man from Taos Pueblo who decided to teach me the old ways of carving stone by hand. He was shy, it started with me photographing his horses in the Taos Pueblo. Followed by him making sure I was protected from the wild mustangs on the Mesa. Then he brought me some stones!!! He had only a few sharp tools and created these beautiful bears. He saw something in me, and I had no idea I had this gift. Before I knew it the men from the area were bringing me stones to carve. Me with only a pocketknife in hand but some pretty mean surgical skills and quite the imagination. We carved out on the Rio Grande Gorge, while eating burritos and him telling me hunting stories, and about Blue lake. Soon it was time to go home and carve on my own.
Soon I was introduced to Craigger Browne, an incredible marble sculptor rom Sylacauga, Alabama. He invited me to my first Marble Festival. He instructed me on the tools I would need to carve the harder stones. Next… Marble, Marble Symposium in Marble, Colorado. This was an experience of a lifetime. Executive Director Madeline Wiener welcomed me, and the staff was amazing. Who knew I had a hidden talent for creating beauty with a story.

I set out only 3 short years ago to become a stone carver/sculptor. I cannot wait to share my love for art with you.
I am determined to make my mark on this world through my art. Each stone tells a story that only I can uncover. You see, I am a direct carver. I carve from the stone, and I let the stone tell me or direct me to what I will create. I am excited to unveil my Breast Cancer Awareness piece for October !!!

While heading to Marble, Marble Symposium, I stopped to photograph that old truck that I sent in my photos. When I stopped I fell, cutting my hand (my right hand)!! Followed by a trip to the Emergency Department in Salida, Co. Well, 14 stitches later, I’m 6 hours away and I also have road rash and I wanted to give up!! I stayed in a hostel with 10 people on a bunk bed ( top) no doubt! Lol fresh wound! Ready to pack my stuff and head home! My friend Lino, who I met who is a great and wise old man said, “ that little cut, yup better not lose this opportunity!” I was feeling sorry for myself, licking my wounds! I told him , “you’re right!” The next morning I put ice on my hand and I drove 6 hours and I made it to carve for 7 days…. And that artwork, that trip, those memories will be told to my grandchildren for years to come.

So many stories.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It seems a lifetime ago. I guess I should start with, I am the sixth of 7 children. My mother was an immigrant from Hungry. She had been through WWII. She spoke three languages. My father was a, used car dealer, so to say we were not rich, but not poor, but rich in love. My mother pushed my education, but I was a rebel!!! Now let’s start this story on that note.

I was so young, struggling, I got pregnant, got married and had started school for Surgical technology all in the same year. Talk about stressed out, that was me. I knew from the start that this was it for me. Everything clicked. I felt like I was at home. I thrived in this environment and couldn’t wait to learn more. Work was going so well, and I thought things were going to blossom for our family.
A year in tragedy struck and my husband fell and broke his back. It was up to me to become the bread winner. I was 22 years old with a 2-year-old and a very ill husband. I had to pick up an extra job, there was no other choice. Fortunately, I had heard about a job with the American Red Cross, working as a recovery technician for tissue. Yes, this is exactly what you might think it is. I worked all hours of the night extra to pay the bills. I learned how to scrub open heart surgery so that I could learn as many skills as possible. I needed to make myself valuable. Open heart surgery was a true love of my life. It felt good saving lives even when i could barely keep my eyes open, I felt like I was doing what i was supposed to be doing. I loved working with those doctors, and we had a respect for each other,
Then I also started back to school. If I could have been a surgeon, I would have gone for it. No way possible. I had to pay those bills. Nursing school it would have to be. I would continue to work my extra job for 18 years. I graduated from nursing school, immediately studied for my CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room), so that I could go to school for my First Assistant education. This allowed me to be able to assist the heart surgeons, harvest vein and surgically perform closures on patients. My grandmother always said, “knowledge is Power”, so I was ambitious. I pushed, and I learned, though I had all these artistic inspirations hiding deep inside of me. I also assisted plastic surgeons, helping with plastic closures, where I was able to use my artistic talent.
The Davinci Robot was introduced to our hospital, and it was very exciting. I spent time as the first Robotic Coordinator in a large Trauma Hospital. I was driven even though the deck had been stacked against me. I never gave up!!!

Tragedy struck again. My boys lost their father. He had struggled after breaking his back. Depression and pain had riddled his life. The opioid crisis had touched our life unknowingly. Though I thought I wouldn’t talk about this part of my story…. It is a HUGE PART of who I am. Sadly we have all grown from this tragedy. My husband Mike Glover stepped up and has mended this family.

Soon to follow I started my travel nursing career, which gave me my artistic leeway. I began traveling to different destinations to open up life’s journey and see the beauty of the world. This would open up my eyes to more than I ever expected in such a short time. This is where my journey really dives into my artistic/creative side.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well for sure eating is always on my list of things to do!!! As a Barbecue fan you must try Plates by the pound if you get lucky  enough to catch them!!! As an artist you definitely want to hit Meow Wolf is an explosion of colors and sensations that will entice even the non-artist. The photographer in me says to get out and do some hiking , the beauty is all around you! You better believe that if I hear music, I’m there! I love to dance the night away! Be sure to hit The Ogden or The Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom!! If you have an opportunity to take a day trip to Marble, Co during the Marble, Marble Symposium it has some of the world’s greatest artistic talents!
Weekend in Vail to see the foliage, be sure to go to Deca + Bol, for a bougie, bowling and dining experience. Take a walk around this beautiful mountain town, and take a day hike to see the leaves!!
If you happen to be near Colorado Springs and you like the wind in your hair, I would recommend ifly indoor skydiving!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
WOW! Thank you, for sure. My husband Mike Glover is always my biggest supporter and cheerleader. My kids,(Heath, Tanner and Charlie) family, (Rex, Gwen, Theresa, Tom, Jessica, Heather and Pamela) and friends pump me up on my Instagram and Facebook. Michelle Schoen for being my traveling partner,to my carving destinations. Augustine Mirabal, from the Taos Pueble, who taught me so much about Native American ways, carving and love for the earth. Thank the Marble, Marble Symposium 34 in Marble, Colorado for guiding me and making it an experience of a lifetime. The Sylacauga Marble Festival, Craigger Browne, Dr. Ted Spears and all the amazing sculptors for letting me be myself and embracing my spirit. My mother Susie Turner who is the very best mom. My grandmother (Momer), who instilled art into my blood! Last but not least my father, the late (Rex Turner) who taught me about nature, to hunt, fish, turkey call, (state champ) and how to take care of the earth.

Website: jenniferlinders.com

Instagram: Jennifer Linders Photography

Linkedin: jennifer@jenniferlinders.com

Facebook: Jennifer Linders Glover

Yelp: jennifer@jenniferlinders.com

Youtube: SugarButt Studios

Other: Just starting my YouTube channel 🧜‍♀️

Image Credits
I am the photographer. So I allow use. I am sending more than you need. Crop as needed. I gave a couple extra so you have choices. I would like to follow up with my Shoutouts!! Thank you!