My Luci Jockel article just got published in American Craft Magazine April/May 2017

Some of you, dear readers, know that I like certain aspects of taxidermy. Not the traditional deer-on-the-wall-kind, but the slightly off-kilter, contemporary art variety. (OK, the extremely off-kilter, contemporary art variety.)

So imagine how thrilled I was to receive a nod from American Craft magazine to connect with and write about Luci Jockel's wonderful work for their 2017 April/May "COLLECTING ISSUE. It didn't hurt that during the interview Luci revealed she was about to move to Pittsburgh, PA, my beloved old stomping ground - a move that has since been completed while the article was edited and printed. (Alert for my Pittsburgh peeps to roll out the red carpet for Luci, please!)

When I spoke to Luci it was easy to notice her concern for vanishing animal habitats and her passion for all kinds of critters, especially bees. (My sister is a beekeper and I am quite familiar with the species' plight. I have heard about it for years.)

As is often the case when speaking with artists, Luci generously allowed for deep insights into her life, work, and processes. For instance, she described in great detail an animal bone preparation process that involves the use of dermestid beetles. Their sole job is to eat away at the fleshy, left-over segments on bones. Slightly ghouly, but oh-so fascinating! I had never much heard of this type of beetle before, so I looked them up online after the interview - and was glued to my computer for hours. Great stuff.

"Plug for the cause:"

If you are an ACC member (https://craftcouncil.org/membership) - and I absolutely recommend you become one if you are not! - you will receive your own magazine copy in the mail soon if you haven't already. If not, go out and find a copy on newsstands everywhere. It'll be worth it.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my long-suffering editors Monica Moses and Judy Arginteanu, whose smart and wisecracking comments about my scribbling make me a better writer every time I get to work with them. You guys are the best! Thanks!

Lastly, if you have questions for Luci about her work or processes, don't be shy, post them below. I'll be happy to pass them along! Enjoy the article, cheers!

Oh, and don't forget to check out Luci's website: http://www.lucijockel.com/

"Death’s Head Hawkmoth"
Honeycomb, beeswax skull, steel, brass
3”x 5”x .5”