Interview
Stella Ziegler
American born, bred and raised, Stella Ziegler also known as Bone Crone had an interesting upbringing. Her parents started a taxidermy business in the mid eighties located in Montana. Being reared and raised around life’s cycle of give and take, mother nature was her first art teacher. Being exposed to a variety of skills and materials broadened her abilities.
“I only took art class in high school. I learned more from my parents and other artists in the moment than books and classes telling me what art should be.”
The quote “We honor these animals who give their lives so that we may live.” has always held a high standing to her values. From your typical taxidermy, to the mystical and odd, she aims to shed light on the darker half of life. Working mainly with organic material like feathers, fur, bone, and wood her pieces contain an echo of the energy that once was housed.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“One day about twelve years old, I wanted to carve something so I asked my father if I could use his Dremel tool. All he said was, “Sure... but be careful, don’t break it, and put it away when you’re done.” He gave me a green light and it's been pedal to the metal since One question and my world changed. Twenty three years later and I have no intention of stopping. Once you learn a skill, your perception changes. I look for ways to apply and blend the new with other tools in my mental toolbox. It’s actually really hard for me to paint or draw now because of carving. I see the depth that paper can't contain. There is always something begging to come out of a piece of wood or bone. I have to remove what isn’t supposed to be there and reveal what is. Life events and emotions strongly filter my perspective. Angry teenage years were soothed by loud music and high speed power tools. Sometimes the process started with the intent to just destroy something. About midway the rage would subside and what remained was something potentially beautiful to build on. I got addicted to how it helped domesticate my unique madness. Funny how we make tools, and in return, they shape us. Creation has always been my therapy.”
What inspires you
“I see little sparks everywhere. The ones that ignite my favorite flames have a basis in honoring the dead. Whether it’s the animal itself, or doing a memorial piece for someone's loved one who has passed. Grief and the pain of it is a powerful thing. Love is the only thing greater. I find a deep satisfaction in assisting in the healing from one to the other. The deceased are no longer here, but the memories and how we carry on is sometimes soothed by keeping something around. Bonus if it’s proudly displayed, shared with friends and future generations. To me, fond remembrance like that is as close to immortality as any of us can get. To be forgotten is true death,”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I’ve never really put labels or restraints like that on my work. I pursue the peace I feel when I'm in the depths of creating something that didn’t exist until an idea was formed. I've always aimed to listen and feel. Sometimes I find an echo and try to amplify it. Call me crazy or weird but there is a push and pull that happens. I just keep going until I feel a satisfaction that I'm finished or that the piece will do justice to the feeling I'm trying to convey.”
How would you describe your work?
“In one word? Controversial. I’m amazed at the intensity my art can invoke. Some people are flat out amazed and awe inspired. Other people absolutely hate it and think it's disgusting, in bad taste, and that I'm some kind of awful human being. Conversations pertaining to the use of organic materials always intrigue me. Love it or hate it, it made you think. Even better, you felt something.”
“About midway the rage would subside and what remained was something potentially beautiful to build on. I got addicted to how it helped domesticate my unique madness.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Any artist willing to share knowledge with me will have access to my inspiration. I thrive off sharing what I've learned. I'll give it away, just to see what others are capable of. If they teach me something new, then it was all worth it. The people who hold influence over me aren't all artists. I admire a ton of talent, but power over my character or behavior belongs to my friends, family, and those who have earned my respect. Anyone who holds the honor of that, also knows I'm better off left untamed and feral.”
What is your creative process like?
“My process usually starts off with some kind of a need. Could be helping a friend. Preserving a memory. Maybe even trying a new technique. I start with fragments of the finished product in my mind, then I take it apart and figure out what pieces are from, where they go and in what order. I love getting to the place where it just flows. Time has no meaning. It's almost like being on autopilot. My hands take over and my mind almost goes somewhere else for a little bit. Sometimes a piece breaks off or some mistake happens. Almost every time, the results I gain by fixing it far exceeds my original expectations for the final result. Almost like I never would have thought of that if I never messed up in the first place.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I feel an artist’s role is to answer the feeling of “ the think”. Those sensual overloads that cause emotions to bubble up. We use whatever we can find. And get our hands on anything within reach. Learn whatever we need in order to bring it forth and show you how it feels to us. We are like oil on a wet stone. Lubrication to the grind of society. A soothing balm to the road rash when you relate to one of our children and realize you are not alone.
I see our role as artists is constantly changing. So is the art we are making. Personally my journey is evolving in the areas of grief and how we deal with letting go. Creations can have a comfort when made with that intent. Lately I've been approached about pet preservation. A young man wanted his dog’s skeleton. The canine had been loved dearly by many friends who wanted to always remember Ozzy. I was very honored to be a part of the process and he continues to share the love.
I was recently gifted with an amazing opportunity for my grandfather. As a family, we built his coffin. I had the pleasure of making the cross for it. No amount of “paid for” therapy would have done what completing that task has for my soul. How do I see artists evolving? I don’t know. But I'm thrilled to be included wherever we are going. Can I get a ticket for the scenic route?”
Please tell us about any previous exhibitions you found noteworthy and wish to share.
My art is displayed and sold in a local Montana gallery called Uniquites. I also entered some pieces in the Luxembourg Art Prize Competition for 2022. I wasn’t a finalist, but I did receive a Certificate of Artistic Achievement. Currently my instagram Bone_Crone is my strongest digital platform. I am actively exploring other ways to branch out.
Instagram: @Bone_Crone
