Hi! I’m Jessica—the artist and creator behind Southern Curiosities, a woman-owned studio in Irmo, South Carolina where I craft whimsical taxidermy, entomology art, and nature-inspired curiosities.

My journey began in the quiet forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where endless trees and wild creatures gave me a deep appreciation for the natural world. Life eventually carried me south, where the landscapes are brighter, wilder, and equally inspiring. Surrounded by nature at every stage, I’ve always felt connected to the beauty of all living things—a love that continues to guide my work today.

At heart, I’ve always been an artist. As a child, I never stopped creating—whether I was painting, sewing, sculpting, or cobbling together little inventions from odds and ends. In 2019, my curiosity led me into the delicate world of entomology, and I began teaching myself insect pinning. What started as a simple fascination quickly grew into a passion, and by 2020 I had launched Southern Curiosities as a way to share my creations with others.

In the spring of 2023, I turned this passion into my full-time focus. Each piece I create is a blend of natural beauty, imagination, and storytelling—inspired by enchanted forests, Victorian curiosity cabinets, the charm of animated classics, and of course, the small wonders I find in the world around me. From butterflies in shadow boxes to velvet-clad squirrels with big personalities, I aim to capture not just the form of nature, but its sense of magic.

Every specimen and botanical I use is ethically and sustainably sourced. I believe in honoring each life, giving it new purpose and beauty long after it has passed. This respect for nature is at the heart of everything I create, ensuring that each piece carries not just artistry, but meaning.

Through Southern Curiosities, my hope is to spark a little wonder, curiosity, and connection to the natural world—one tiny creature, one whimsical creation at a time.

Video courtesy of As Told By Agency