Resident makes living from animals’ bones
A Moot woman’s artwork made with the skulls of dead animals has been sold as afar as London, Dubai, Namibia and Botswana.
A Moot resident’s artwork that is made using the skulls of dead animals has been sold as afar as London, Dubai, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.
“Another piece would soon make its way to Swaziland,” said 32-year-old artist Natalie Sutton.
Although her artwork, produced under the Kobok Skull Africa brand name, has been gaining popularity both locally but also abroad, Sutton says her road to success was however difficult.
This as she quit her corporate sector job, which was providing a stable income, to make an “uncalculated” risk in pursuing her dream.
“I learnt to be strong and stand on my own when some people I trusted chose to ignore me when I was seeking advice.
“Believing in my dream kept me strong and going.”
Her dream of working with bones started at a tender age when she used to collect animal bones from the bush during hunting trips.
“One day I wanted to bring some life into these bones,” she said.
She believed this would make “skull enthusiasts” remember and appreciate the dead animals.
“The driving force behind my skull artwork is to celebrate and remember these animals’ lives.”
Sutton became aware of a demand for her products during a housewarming party in late 2017.
“My friends could not believe I made the skull art hanging on my wall.”
After proving that it was indeed her work, they showed interest and encouraged her to start a business, she said.
This was the birth of her business.
READ MORE: Small businesses hit hard by metro cutting catering tenders
“My friends’ comments made me realise that my artworks was not only special me, but to other people as well.”
She said this was a dream come true as she always loved arts of painting, joining and engraving the bones.
Each skull has its own design and her memories attached to it, which made it unique.
“I do not repeat designs as each and every skull has its own uniqueness.”
She said she found it difficult to sell her skulls because of personal attachment.
“Delivering each skull is not easy as it is more like I am giving away pieces of myself.”
Sutton urged the youth to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their dreams.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
