Welcome to the controlled chaos.
Pull up a chair. Management has already claimed yours.
I’m Amber. I spent years as a 911 dispatcher, fielding emergency calls through the midnight shift, and started painting to deal with the stress and the lack of sleep — usually with two boxers parked beside me while I worked it out on canvas.
Now I make abstract paintings and designer art toys, write poetry, fundraise for boxer rescues, and advocate for my autistic son. Life’s weird like that.
This is 5149 & ½ — a dispatching term for the calls that weren’t quite a 5150 (that’s an official psych hold) but weren’t ordinary either. A little off. Eccentric. Hard to file. It fits my artwork and my writing too well not to use it.
What this place is.
This is where I write about the intersection of art, life as a special needs parent, and boxer rescue. Stories from behind the dispatch desk, thoughts on painting, life with an autistic son, Management’s latest discoveries, and whatever else seems worth sharing.
· Abstract paintings & poetry — originals, process, and the thinking behind them
· Designer art toys — collectible figures that live somewhere between toy and fine art; I customize and design them as limited edition pieces
· Dispatching stories — and how the job shaped the art
· Mom life & autism advocacy — raising a kid who keeps me honest about everything
· Off Leash — dog stories, rescue stories, Management’s discoveries, and the full boxer circus
· Fundraisers & rescue news — because the dogs need help and art is what I have
The dogs.
Boxer rescue has had my whole heart for years. I’ve always preferred seniors. The dogs nobody rushes to adopt, the ones who’ve been waiting the longest. Management is my first young rescue, and she arrived like a small, smoosh-faced hurricane who immediately assumed authority over everyone in this house.
My artwork has raised just over $100k for boxer rescues across the country. I donate original works and figures to fundraising auctions, including Buckner’s Extravaganza, an annual event I founded that exists entirely because some dogs needed help and art felt like the right answer.
If you love boxers, follow rescue, or have ever cried in a car after dropping off a foster, you’re going to feel very at home here.
The cast.
Management — real name Keaton, named for Diane Keaton’s lovable, neurotic energy. Her actual title around here is Management, and she has strong opinions about my work schedule and my rescue fundraising commitments.
The Intern — my autistic son. Sees the world differently and keeps me honest about everything.
Amber — me, the artist taking things one day at a time.
Zero politics. Some profanity. Lots of snarky humor.
No grand mission statements or life-changing promises here. Just honest writing about an unconventional path from crisis management to creative work.
The goal is to bring some joy and laughter into the world while being the person my dog already thinks I am.
