Meet The Artist

Where does my story begin, and why deer? I was first introduced to these fascinating creatures in 2016, while studying Animal Science at the Royal Agricultural University in England. I had  worked with domestics, equine and even more exotic species like Giraffes and Rhinoceros... but, the first moment I worked with deer I knew that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life!

I remember it well; my first deer catch in Wales. Working alongside the game keeping students to herd a group of feisty Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon) to be health examined and transported to another facility. The males were separated by the professionals supervising us and we got to catch the hinds (females) and young males, I watched the other students wrestle and get outsmarted by the lightning quick deer. My turn soon came around and I was in the corral with my heart thumping so hard through my chest and spiked on adrenaline, thick winter deer hair and wet mud was flying everywhere, the goal was to catch and restrain as quickly as possible. I remember so vividly stepping into the middle of the pen, the hinds bunched up on the opposite side, their wide big black eyes locked with mine, and amongst all the chaos and stress I was so calm and that is the moment I knew I wanted to work with deer for the rest of my life... I then proceeded to wrestle them in the mud and a mid air catch. Deer have continued to captivate and inspire me, I have studied, drawn and worked with them ever since that day. 

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During my gap year I travelled around Great Britain to work alongside experts in the deer industry; farmed, park and wild deer sectors. I spent the winter months in Scotland on the isle of Arran assisting Quercus Deer Services with the conservation scheme to control the islands Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) population and learn about venison harvesting and butchery. 

 

Deercor was launched in 2017 and started as a small hobby to help me learn the anatomy and physiology of the variety of deer found in the UK. I am a self taught artist and encourage everyone to pick up a pencil and draw. I was terrible to begin with but just like learning a new instrument, if you practice and have passion you will accomplish your goal. I found that I liked working with the ceramics and fabrics, designing patterns and even started wood burning (pyrography). I opened Deercor as a home decor business and sold items online and attended country shows/ events with my brand. 

 

The brand really came into its own when I refined what I wanted to see and produce high quality items for my customers. All of the products sold were made and produced in Great Britain or hand made. The more I learnt about deer the more inaccuracies I would see in products designed by big retail companies, such as calling everything a reindeer or giving a red stag, fallow deer antlers. So I decided to make sure all of my designs were accurate to the species and to subtly educate the public on these amazing creatures.

 

In 2019 I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer, but after two surgeries and treatment I am pleased to say I'm in remission. As a young person facing cancer it puts life into perspective pretty quickly, as we all think we're invincible and will not have to worry about dying young. So I wanted to go and celebrate and visit some dear friends of mine in Texas as a celebration, and to film and study behaviour of different exotic deer  in the field so I could do my favourite thing, learn about their charming characteristics. I travelled around the USA working with multiple species, staying in the homes of deer ranching families, who were the most wonderful people and have become family since.

 

I travelled to Sweden in 2020 to work with Moose, Fallow and Red deer in a little Swedish town, I fell in love with the scenery and habitat. The Öster family taught me so much about their way of life, food, and culture while I stayed with them and allowed me to experience the best thing I have ever done in my life. Be up close working with Moose. 

I had many trips planned for international deer travel and stay with deer farming families in Japan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Norway...  but COVID 19 hit and I couldn't pursue these destinations, but they are still on my bucket list! 

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Which brings me to Montana where is my final destination, I have started a non-profit for wildlife/cervid research and education and would like to open a gallery for Deercor here. I was born to live in the mountains and forests of Montana. I am a very outdoorsy women who loves to fish and hunt.

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Growing up in foster care and dealing with childhood trauma results in a number of mental health diagnoses, of which I accepted but have never let hinder me. I am very open about mental health and freely talk about my experiences and listen to those who want to share, ultimately my goal is to help others. I found throughout my 20's that I experienced and processed so much PTSD and had to find my feet again in the world outside of the foster system. I found myself turning to my love for animals,  but my most grounding and healing was deer. To sit and watch a wild deer or be lucky enough to interact with a tame one is very grounding, you forget what troubles and issues you face and you are present in that moment. I knew that I wanted to share my passion for deer because they're so fascinating but also because they helped me, it's my life goal to help others through deer.​

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I hope you'll continue to follow my exciting story as an artist and international travels. Please get in touch with any questions. 

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Lots and lots of love. 

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