Stevie Morley

Background

About Stevie Morley

Combining volunteer and paid time as a fossil preparator at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, I have accumulated more than 4 years of experience excavating, handling, preparing and conserving asphaltic fossils. I have performed a wide range of tasks including but not limited to basic construction with power tools, chemically-assisted excavation using small dental tools, trained volunteers, participated in public events such as the Haunted Museum and Nature Fest, sorted through matrix for microfossils, conducted research and presented findings at conferences. These tasks required proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, R-studio, Photoshop, use of photography equipment and lighting setups, adherence to all safety protocols as required by the Health & Safety Manager, and an ability to analyze fossils to determine the best course of preparation to maintain their integrity for research and exhibition. Excellent communication skills were necessary both in written and verbal format to document and share information about the work performed. I have also amassed a series of skills that speak to my manual dexterity and artistic abilities, both of which were also necessary to perform the tasks required of a fossil preparator. In brief, these fall into three categories: fiber arts, 2-Dimensional art, and 3-Dimensional art. The fiber arts are represented in my experience by spinning (both drop spindle and flywheel), weaving (rigid heddle), crochet, knitting, embroidery, garment sewing (on a machine), and quilting. 2-Dimension art incorporates experience in painting (watercolor, acrylic, and oils), drawing and sketching (non-digital), and calligraphy. My 3-Dimensional art skills include leather garment and accessory construction, paper mache sculpting, and terra cotta sculpture. The team with which I have been conducting research and I have one manuscript in draft. We have also presented three posters at the Association for Materials and Methods in Paleontology Conference (AMMP - 2019 and 2021) and I have one poster, one platform presentation, and one workshop in submission for the AMMP 2022 conference, and another platform presentation for the Geological Society of America Cordileran and Rocky Mountain Meeting 2022.