We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Shelton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hannah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Being an Artist has long been considered a taboo career choice or lifestyle. Combine that with an even more taboo art medium of working with bones and you can prepare yourself for a lot of questions and strange looks. In the world of oddities and the macabre most people would picture someone with a dark or gothic style themselves. The reactions when I tell people what I do are nothing short of shock. My personal style and character may not fit the perceived archetype of an osteo artist, but not “fitting in” to any one category allows me to move between and explore different aspects of myself as well as others. Being able to embody something light, soft, and feminine as well as something dark, brutal, and seldom seen is something I’ll always treasure and try to reflect in my art. I am so grateful to be so well received and supported by my friends and peers, but even if I should receive a cold shoulder or less than complimentary look I know that my heart and my work will always speak for themselves and lead me to my people. Creating art with nature that people can enjoy and honor in a responsible manner will always be my passion.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Hannah and I am the artist and owner behind Vertebrae and Vine. I create nature inspired art and home decor with bones and other elements I forage myself. Everything I create is 100% cruelty free. Nature has always been very close to my heart, and not just the pretty “Disney” version of nature. I love every curve of the circle of life. Including the end. I create art with bones to show my appreciation and help others see this side of nature in a different light. Understanding that one creatures passing provides endless sustenance and life for others. Which should be admired and respected. I also wrote my own step by step guide for others in my community that want to process and clean the bones they may find. When I first started scavenging there was very limited resources available on the subject. After months of research, trial and error this is my way of giving my knowledge back to the amazing community of people that have supported me and my art.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Learning to trust my own instincts has been one of the most important things for my creative process. When you’re truly passionate about something you must learn to tell the difference between your own trepidation and logical reasoning. I would never hold myself back based on fear or anxiety alone if my intuition is pushing me toward a goal. My craft is primarily based on artistic ability but there is so much more people don’t expect that goes into the practice. Learning about conservation and environmental protection laws are a must in this field. To ensure you’re not causing harm to any creatures or ecosystems. This requires a lot of patience but is not optional if you want to do it the right way. Learning to identify different species of animal based on their bones and limited remains is another skill set most people don’t think about ever needing. But is another crucial part of this business. Overall being multifaceted and educated on multiple subjects surrounding your craft not only sets you up for success, but makes you a well rounded individual in your personal life.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Anyone seeking to be closer or more connected with nature in a respectful and responsible way or anyone looking to add a unique piece to adorn your home is always encouraged to reach out. You can find videos of how I collect bones for my work, photos of finished pieces, and the link to my shop all on my instagram. Just search Vertebrae_and_vine
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Hannah Shelton
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