We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abby Thomason. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abby below.
Abby, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one piece. My taxidermy art is something I created to bring awareness and beauty to the idea of death and loss. These pieces are an exaggerated example of life taking over after an animal passes. I want the viewer to see that from death new life begins and it is so beautiful. Many might not like my art and that’s okay too. I just want to create a conversation about it. Death is so scary but I don’t want that to be all people see. The circle of life is completely natural and is such a beautiful thing. These pieces are meant to be an expression of the soul or spirit passing on. Our bodies are just the vessel, and from that new life forms and its beautiful
Abby, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m just a small town gal raising her children and creating art along the way. Art has always been a part of my life and I am so fortunate to be able to do it as my job. I have created bone art for years but started creating taxidermy as well these last couple years. I’m still learning new things all the time. I’m completely self taught through reading online and watching YouTube videos.
I process lost things myself, especially bones. I pick up lots of road kill and other found animals. I also receive left overs ans throw away pieces from taxidermist, farmers, butcher etc.
My goal is to keep everything as ethical as I can. For me that means no trappers or fur farms. I focus so much on reusing materials in my art. All of the plaques are made by hand by my father and then I sand and stain them.
I also use antique jewelry and old taxidermy mounts that will otherwise get tossed.
I do all of this work myself with occasional help from my lovely husband. He does the heavy lifting haha.
I work from home and was finally able to upgrade my studio so I have enough room to work in. It’s been such a blessing.
The strange and unusual have always intrigued me. Creating work like this just makes me happy knowing others out there feel the way I do. My work isn’t created to mock or make fun of the animals. I view it as a way to honor them and their beauty for years to come instead of them just rotting away in the side of the road..
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My main goal is for my family. I would love to continue to grow so that my husband won’t have to work as much and we can all focus on our little homestead. Part of that goal is to get into more gallery showings as well. Getting my name out there was never something I cared about before, but now that I have come this far I see that it’s not nearly as scary as I once thought.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’m currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. It’s been a very hard journey but even through the chemo and recovery I have still continued to create art. As a side-effect from the chemo I now have neuropathy issues. This causes pain, numbness and tingling in my fingers. It can make it difficult to work but I power through. I know it will all be over eventually and working really helps my mental health. Another reason to do what you love.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkferncreations?igshid=ZGNjOWZkYTE3MQ==
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- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@darkferncreations?_t=8iF9ts4P8nq&_r=1