Maria D’Souza’s beaded animal skull art is some of the most prized and sought after amongst the handful of artists who work in this medium.
I am an animal lover and wildlife enthusiast and honoring the life of the animal is at the core of my art. To that end all the mounts used in my artwork are ethically sourced.
What do I mean by ethically sourced? For domesticated animals such as Longhorns and Bison I source only from small family farms, farm animal sanctuaries, and parks. These animals live out their lives and are cared for often as pets. I do not source from factory farms or meat processing facilities.
The mounts of wild animals are sourced from a network of people known as “deadhead” and “shed” searchers. “Deadhead” searchers scour the wilderness for the skulls, antlers and horns of animals that have died of natural causes and predators. Animals in colder climates such as Elk, Moose, Pronghorn and Deer are often as a result of what are called “winter kills”, where animals are lost due to abnormally heavy and sudden snowfalls, ice storms, or severe cold snaps. It is sad but it is all part of nature. Nature has cleaned and left the skulls of these animals as part of the circle of life.
Most U.S. states require deadhead searchers to purchase a special tag called a “salvage tag” from their state’s wildlife agency to certify, remove and sell these skulls that have been found in the wild. The import of mounts from African continents and other foreign nations are also highly regulated and special licensing is required. This type of import/export licensing is only for mounts derived by the same methods as the deadhead searchers.
It requires much more time and effort to find my mounts this way, but it’s worth it, knowing that these requirements generate fees that support wildlife conservation and help prevent poaching. I am proud that my artwork helps to support & contributes to these efforts.
I use genuine skulls of the world’s most beautiful animals as the raw form, I combine design, color and dimension to create one of a kind pieces. Inspired by the wonder of creation and the seemingly random perfection of nature, I imagine the life of the animal and then try to bring it back to “new life” with color, motion and depth.
My artistic inspiration are as varied as the cultures and places I have lived. I am of Portuguese-Indian descent and have resided in 5 different continents.
My works have been enjoyed in private collections in North America, Europe and the Middle East. My award-winning pieces are in galleries throughout the U.S. and have also been exhibited at prestigious museums such as the C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls MT.
My work is now also a part of the permanent collection at the Booth Western Museum – Cartersville, GA and also at The Monthaven Art & Cultural Center, Hendersonville TN. I am also a proud member of ‘By Western Hands’ Artist Guild affiliated with The Buffalo Bill Museum Center of the West in Cody WY.
As a wildlife enthusiast I have embarked on many wildlife observatory tours in Africa, The Middle East and North America. I am in awe when I see these beautiful and majestic creatures that God has created and I strive to honor and give them new life through my art one bead at a time.