The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word “strange” as “different from usual.” Its definition of “fauna” is “animal life.” The words put together is something that Louisiana has a lot of, which has inspired the state’s artwork and culture for generations. 

Strange Fauna uses zero waste values to create art about ecology. Founder Amori Bieller started selling up-cycled wearables in 2020. The name of her business was inspired by her childhood filled with playing with weird critters outside in New Orleans.

Bieller makes and sells art that includes wearables from clothing to jewelry as well as her own paintings. These products require little to no waste production, Bieller said. 

Bieller’s goal for the fall is to transition to a more virtual platform as well as partnering with more local stores in Baton Rouge. She said that by doing this, she would help bridge the gap between artists and “ecological responsibility.” Some of her biggest partnerships have been with Bellyfire Studios, Riverbend Gymnastics and Beaver’s Abundance.

“This would require more partnerships with local sustainability initiatives and wildlife societies to spread awareness and educate people about conservation and waste management,” Bieller said.

Everything sold by Bieller is made by her and created out of donations, trades and second-hand purchases. Items such as food scraps, seeds, used jewelry and cloth are all used to make her artwork, she said.

She takes food waste such as turmeric, onion skins, cabbage, beets, etc. to create pigments that are used to dye her clothing items. Her clothing items usually include animals, insects, abiotic ecology prints or paintings. 

“Food waste, being a monumental source of greenhouse gasses and landfill waste, are put to use here,” Bieller said. 

Her jewelry is made out of unwanted old jewelry that she disassembles and makes into her own. Other items include her seed bombs that are made out of donated shredded paper and seeds that can be found at Local Supply, she said. 

Bieller’s paintings are made with “whatever she can get her hands on,” such as recycled frames, discarded wood, cardboard and records. The most exciting part about her painting process is the actual making of her paints, she said. This includes experimenting how to make watercolors and gouache with plants, flowers, rocks and berries that she forages herself. 

“I decided to do this after learning that paint is one of the most abundant microplastics in our oceans and that acrylic paints are typically petroleum based,” Bieller said. “So, instead of buying new paint in plastic bottles, I have been replacing them with ones I make myself. Slowly, I have incorporated more of these colors into my paintings, and my plan is to exclusively use them one day.”

While Bieller is a business owner, she is also a full-time student at Louisiana State University. The junior is majoring in renewable natural resource ecology and management, with a focus in conservation biology. She is also minoring in oceanography and environmental science.

She said that it has been a major learning curve managing both, but something that has been incredibly rewarding. Everything from accounting to public relations to advertising is all done by Bieller. Having to manage everything by herself has taught her to work with herself instead of against, she said. 

Looking back, Bieller said that her life has come full circle. She was once a little kid that spent her time outside fishing, catching bugs and building things with sticks. Now, at 24, she spends a majority of her time studying wildlife and global cycles. Her free time outside of that consisted of making artwork based off of those topics, she said. 

“I realize now that what I spent time doing outside as a child was scientific in nature – observation and discovery – and I used art as a way to compartmentalize occurrences that I found fascinating or did not quite understand,” Bieller said. “That is largely what I do now, only much more technical and structured.” 

For more information on Bieller and Strange Fauna, check out her Linktree. Whether it is through her, or other business through Baton Rouge, Bieller said to look out for what is made ethically and sustainably. 

“Strange Fauna really became a brand completely embodying my life. From my interests to my passions to my personal development, it is all in my work and message,” Bieller said.