Shane Morris, Insect Lover
My mother had to ask me to empty my pockets before coming into the house because there was always an insect or two crawling around in them that I found under a rock or in a field. She embroidered this jean jacket for me when I was just four years old.
My mother had to ask me to empty my pockets before coming into the house because there was always an insect or two crawling around in them that I found under a rock or in a field. She embroidered this jean jacket for me when I was just four years old.
Most of my early childhood was spent running around in fields and woods late at night by myself. My dad was never too thrilled to find more frozen insects in the freezer than food! But he tolerated it.
I later made a friend who collected insects. We went to entomology (the branch of zoology concerned with the study of insects) meetings for kids, trade bugs, and looked for cocoons to hatch the next summer. We’d search for insects to add to our collection, and I began to learn how to pin and set the insects in various ways.
I had the largest collection of insects in the state of Michigan for my age group (17 years and younger), and I won several trophies and ribbons at the Monroe county fair. Naturally, I also won the insect identification competition!
Although my career is in art and design, my childhood passion for insects has never faded. Even my graphic design college thesis centered on insect defenses. During this same time, I found a framed beetle at a local gift shop in Grand Rapids by Bob Natalini; it was beautifully displayed and awe-inspiring. His artistry sparked something in me. My best friend Bob Belair and I decided we’d give framing insects a try. It took us a long time to learn the processes, and I’m refining my craft every day.
I’ve been on television, in magazines, and contacted by celebrities like Barbra Streisand and TruTV for my pieces. I still get excited seeing new insects; they are new treasures to admire. Insect patterns and behaviors have inspired my graphic designs and influenced the way I experience the natural world.
I hope my art will educate, inspire, and delight those who have an interest in insects.
I later made a friend who collected insects. We went to entomology (the branch of zoology concerned with the study of insects) meetings for kids, trade bugs, and looked for cocoons to hatch the next summer. We’d search for insects to add to our collection, and I began to learn how to pin and set the insects in various ways.
I had the largest collection of insects in the state of Michigan for my age group (17 years and younger), and I won several trophies and ribbons at the Monroe county fair. Naturally, I also won the insect identification competition!
Although my career is in art and design, my childhood passion for insects has never faded. Even my graphic design college thesis centered on insect defenses. During this same time, I found a framed beetle at a local gift shop in Grand Rapids by Bob Natalini; it was beautifully displayed and awe-inspiring. His artistry sparked something in me. My best friend Bob Belair and I decided we’d give framing insects a try. It took us a long time to learn the processes, and I’m refining my craft every day.
I’ve been on television, in magazines, and contacted by celebrities like Barbra Streisand and TruTV for my pieces. I still get excited seeing new insects; they are new treasures to admire. Insect patterns and behaviors have inspired my graphic designs and influenced the way I experience the natural world.
I hope my art will educate, inspire, and delight those who have an interest in insects.