I love all you people who are interested in my art thingies, and I noticed a lot of you are curious to know more. Well, I'm never too busy to answer questions or give help, but sometimes it gets a little retarded answering the same question 3 times a day... so here's a FAQ for you all!
What Is Taxidermy?
In simple words... An Animal Mortician.
Taxidermy is the art of making an animal look alive again.
"Stuffed Animals" like those in museums or possibly a deer head your grandpa has on the wall are perfect examples!
I Love Your Animals! How'd You Get Into Taxidermy?!
Well... as most of you who have gone through high school... remember those semi-goth kids? I was one of those (despite the fact I went to a Catholic school and wore a uniform) So that meant I was into skulls. And I collected them by starting out gathering skulls from the woods. I then learned how to clean them and sold clean skulls to people to make a little bit of money. I was also into drawing, which later some of my friends proved they were indeed better artists. So I slowly put down 2-D mediums and picked up 3-D sculpture making. I am horribly in love with dragons and mostly sculpted those. I made them scaly, smooth, and fuzzy... and soon realized real fr worked better than the fake crap that doesn't have stretchy leather and shed everywhere if you cut the woven backing. So I bought rabbit furs from a trading post and used that. Real fur worked better and I needed to find a cheaper way to obtain other types of fur. So I found out that taxidermists have craploads of scrap fur they cut off of their projects, and I went to a local taxidermist for some. I entered his studio and PHWAA!!! I was instantly in love with his work! I wanted to do THAT! So he told me of a reputable school in Pennylvania and I went there to learn from some of the best master taxidermists. 8 Months later, I got a job working for a legendary studio that's been in business since 1912. And I'm still here to this day, working on preserving the memories of animals for many years to come!
Where Do You Get All Your Dead Things?
I save them from what other people don't want, I pick up roadkill, I trade, and I ask pet stores sometimes.
Of All Things... WHY a Taxidermist?!
I wanted to be a commercial artist at first... I didn't think I was good enough, especially with all the other good artists in my school... PLUS...I was awestruck on bringing animals "back to life" and preseving them for future generations to admire.
When I hit 16 and got to drive around the family-car, I wanted to learn how to fix cars and deck them out. I know my dad would have died if I had become a mechanic... But is a taxidermist any better?!
Plus... it's a fascinating career, being around all these animals. I get to see rarities nobody else will, and learn more about the animals and their anatomy! I love animals! I love learning! And I can make it a career I love! They say if you have a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life!I Hate People Who Kill Animals. Do You?!?
No... I'm not a hunter....YET. I'm a simple taxidermist. Everything comes to me dead!! I often rescue roadkill or animals breeders lose. BUT... I do support ethical hunting. Where all of the animal is used. I prove my belief by making use of everything I can. Not all of my stuff is fur ripped off little woodland critters. I save leg bones for rattles and fetishes, skulls for students in schools, claws for jewelery, and plenty of other things I come up with. When i do start hunting, skins will be taxidermed, bones will be utilized, and meat will be eaten (if it's edible. Btw! I just tried Antelope steaks and wild boar bratworst... they are good!!! Leanest, healthiest meat in the world without those cancer-causing chemicals! It's meat in it's pure form!)
Do You Believe Animals Have Feelings and Souls?!?!
Yeah! You play with your dog and he's happy, and if you yell at him he gets sad, right?! If you're getting at the wild animals I have, it's the same, though I believe in an old native belief. The animal has a spirit... And in a hunt, if the animal is taken by the hunter, that animal gives itself to the other. The hunter is given fur for warmth, and meat for food. If the hunter utilizes these gifts, the animal that was being hunted has fulfilled a good purpose in life. It's like a blessing of life.
I have Found a Skull and I Want it to be all Nice and Clean Like Yours! How Do I Do That?
ok, here's 5 easy steps for the quickest way to do this:
1.) Get a pot that momma won't scream at you for using that is big enough to submerge the skull
2.) Simmer the skull in water mixed with Washing Soda (grocery store, laundry aisle, next to the soap flake detergent) for 1 hour. The washing soda will turn meat into jelly, and it will scrub off. If not, check it every half hour.
3.) Teeth will fall out... this is normal. Just keep track of them and once the skull is free of meat and dried, you can put them back in with superglue.
4.) Whitening (optional) Simmer the skull in water mixed with Peroxide (Hair Salons carry it. Look for 40Volum 3%. It's used in hair bleaching.) DON'T USE BLEACH! Bleaches like Clorox will eat away the bone and make it weak and flakey!
5.) Rinse, let dry, and display!
Where Can I Learn To Do What You Do?
Well, I learned through personal experience and experimentation! But for my taxidermy, I went to a taxidermy school in PA. Best world-known school that will teach you everything! Check them out at: www.studytaxidermy.com or 1-800-GRAY-FOX
Do You Take Commissions?!
Yes I do, just note me with your idea! Turnaround time may vary on what materials are needed, complexity, and free time.
Off Topic... Do You Have Any Obsessions?
YES! I LOVE DRAGONS!! EVER SINCE I WAS ... LIKE... 5!!
I saw this movie called "Taro The Dragonboy" and my mom is oriental... so ... I was surrounded by them. I drew them all the time, and as I got older, found them to be an inspiration. You can never draw them wrong, they symbolize anything and everything... and lets face it... THEY'RE REAL! *crazy psycho stare*
I am also obsessed with cars... I love Transformers... and ducks (my last name isn't Duckworth for nothing!!!)
WhUt'S yEr FaVoUrItE cOlOuR?!?!
Oil Slick.
OMFG!!! *crazed fanboy love* Do You Have A Boyfriend?!?!
If you have noted or posted this kind of question... there's a reason why I never replied to it!
I'm not looking for a guy right now, much less one over the internet.
So you might has well believe I have one... and he'll kick your butt!
You Have A Love for Your Car... Why?
Well... If you invested a third of your hard-earned income on a vehicle that will be with you for years... and it was the car of your dreams...and your first big financial investment...Wouldn't You?!?
My car IS me. It's a billboard of my personality. I named him Rev (short for "Revolution") for two reasons... I love the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, and the first song he (yes... it's a boy) played for me was Burn Season's "Now's The Revolution". And thus he was named so! I'm also making my car look like an Evo, even though he's a normal family-car version of the Lancer. I'm crazy... I know... for naming my car, loving it as a child, and giving him a personality.... SHOOT ME!
I Don't Want To Be A Bother....
YOU ARE NOT A BOTHER UNLESS I SAY YOU ARE!
I'm really a nice person. I'll always be here to answer questions for the curious. It may be a while for a reply... but I see each and every one of your posts.
Thanks For Stoppin' By!
