Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Flo Brem. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Flo, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I grew up with a single working mom. She did everything she could to make sure 3 kids were raised well and provided for. Through all of it, she alway said “Find something that makes you happy, and then figure out how to get paid.” She never held me back or told me to pursue something more sensible.

I’ve been drawing and painting since I could hold something in my hand. We had a great wooden dining room table growing up, and it mostly served as my art space. Over the years it’s gained knicks and dents from x-acto knives, marks from paint that won’t scrub off, stains from oil pigments. Some 30+ years later, she still has that table. It’s since moved houses as she’s downsized, but the visual reminders are always there.

When I was in high school someone from Memphis College of Art visited to talk about colleges. When I got home, I told her I wanted to go to art school. I can’t remember exactly what she said, but it was something along the lines of “That doesn’t surprise me one bit.” She even took me on a weekend trip to visit the school (5 hours away).

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Flo, but my work is more recognized as BoneSpell. After graduating with my BFA, I didn’t pick up a paintbrush for personal projects for about 4 years. I was in a weird spot and I didn’t have any juice left in me, so to speak. Then I hit a really tough period of my life. In a relatively short span of time I lost my grandfather, my closest cousin, and my dream job. I was left with a lot of time on my hands, and a lot of emotions to cope with. And I couldn’t stop thinking of bones. Now, I realize it was my mind’s way of processing loss and thinking about structure. At the time though, I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t get this out of my head. My only idea was to try and put it all on paper to get it out. It was very cathartic.The first few were a scapula and some femur bones, just playing with shape and composition. Then I started in on some skulls and more complicated things.

I’d been sharing photos with friends, and one day an acquaintance asked me if I take commissions. They laid out their idea, it was a full squirrel skeleton as a gift for a friend, and I said yes. That was the first time I thought I might be onto something. I enjoyed the challenge, and people were showing interest. I’d already started to amass a collection, so I chose my favorites and got profession scans done to make prints, and in October 2018 I did my first art market. I had 3 sticker designs, which were the same as my prints, and a small handful of art prints, and it was a hit! Since then, I’ve retired some of the older designs, made so many more, and expanded my products. I now offer art prints, stickers, ceramic ornaments, hats, and more.

My favorite medium to work in is watercolor. It’s at times frustrating, and can be fairly unforgiving, but in the end is so rewarding. There’s a light airiness about the medium that speaks to my soul. It’s stunning the way you can layer and charge the colors.

I’m still working a full time day job, but I stay busy with in person events. In 2021 I started traveling for markets, and I’m excited to see that side of my business growing. It’s been phenomenal to go around the country and connect with people who are connecting with my work. I do sell online, via Etsy and Instagram, but nothing beats that face to face interaction. Now that I’ve returned to some cities, it’s beyond amazing to have people come up to me saying “I remember you from last year,” or “I have that piece hanging in my living room and it’s my favorite thing in my house!”

Most of my work is pre-made, things I thought were funny or cool that I wanted to exist in the real world. I also take commissions. Most of my commissions are paintings and illustrations. I currently do not take ceramic commissions, though I have had a few people ask. That might be a possibility further down the line. My goal with my work is to make things people can express themselves with. I’m a big fan of maximalism. Fill your walls with art, cover your water bottles with stickers. I love seeing people bounding with unwavering personality.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

You’ve heard it time and time again, but the biggest thing people can do to support artists and making a thriving system is to support local. Go to art markets/farmers markets, commission artists, vote for people that support public arts. Don’t go alone either. invited your friends and make a day of going to an art market. Most makers try to have things for a variety of budgets.

There’s interesting studies that show public art can actually decrease local crime rates. There’s less vandalism because there’s more respect for a beautiful mural someone put time and effort into than a blank brick wall. It also gets people more involved in their community. Murals are art that belong to a whole community.

When you commission an artist, you’re getting something unique. No one else in the world will have the thing you have. I have a potter friend that recently did a commission for ceramic wall tiles for someone’s kitchen backsplash. That kitchen will be the only place in the world with that design. If that isn’t cool, I don’t know what to tell you.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being an artist is the freedom. There’s no rules or limits to what I’m making. I don’t have a board of directors looking at trends for the upcoming shopping seasons. I can learn whatever I want, and mix things. It’s very playful. The isn’t to say it’s not frustrating, because it has those moments too. But at the end of the day, I can make whatever I want.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/bonespell/?etsrc=sdt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonespellarts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoneSpellArts

Image Credits
Abbey Bratcher Photo Flo Brem