About me, the artist.
I am an illustrator and an osteotaxist (one who arranges bones). I first began my love affair with art through painting and drawing. I acquired a Bachelor’s of Fine Art from Finlandia University in 2010, and have been selling my work at arts and crafts fairs for the last 10 years.
My illustrations are often whimsical and inspired by animals and mythology. I am a story painter, and every image has a tale to tell.
My work with bones is a more recent venture, and I began the “Beautiful Dead” project in 2017. What started off as a way to display my personal collection of skulls soon became a much larger project. I began trading the work for tattoos with other artists, and finally began to sell at local craft fairs. I hope to expand my sales across the state of Wisconsin, partner with local stores and online.
About the Beautiful Dead Project
Dealing with the discarded dead is not the most glamorous process, but I respect what was given.
I acquire my skulls and antlers secondhand from hunting, industry byproduct and natural casualties.
Each piece is unique and lovingly made, some dark and some bright and joyful.
Every skull, skeleton, horn and antler is legal in the state of Wisconsin and follows Federal laws. No endangered or protected animals are used, ever.
The elements that go into my work are a mix of natural, faux, reused and sculpted pieces.
The mushrooms, for instance, are entirely hand sculpted and painted.