Taxidermy is a skill that is perfected through practice. There are no universities or schools that give degrees in taxidermy thus making it a coveted skill that is learned through practice and unfortunately grotesque mishap. Most taxidermists are art science students with an appreciation of nature, and a business oriented mind. There are many taxidermists such as myself however who simply mount animals in their garage as a hobby for themselves and companions. Different …show more content…
While the Animal now has its form, and hidden stitch marks, they must have eyes, and if necessary a tongue and teeth if the pose calls for it. Original eyes are thrown away upon initial cutting of the animal. New eyes must be put into place. For animals like birds these eyes can easily be purchased at a craft store since they are smaller and not as much as a point of detail as they appear to be on a large deer, bear or moose. The eyes for these animals which usually need a tint of color be it brown or green are often crafted from either glass or plastic by the taxidermists depending of his level of artistry. These eyes can also be purchased directly from expert who makes these parts for taxidermists. The eyes are a single detail that must be not perfect but just right. Just right in the form that they don't want to appear to be watching you, but look natural as either straight forward or looking toward an object. The eyes often become a point of conflict for many taxidermists as they struggle to make them look just right and often remove and re-apply them many times. Using special glue these eyes are secured in place in the sockets of the skull. The next things the taxidermist must create are eyelids and eyelashes. These are done using clay and are applied after the eyeballs are put into place. There is no method to this skill; similar to a young child experimenting with …show more content…
Not only does it look nice, but it is prepared to last a lifetime not because its veins are filled with embalming fluid, but because its veins are removed and the skins have been dried and refitted to a constructed mold. Whether for the love of nature or skills for the trade, taxidermy has proven to be an art appreciated by all ages. Either an elk from the annual hunting trip or a preserved version of the family pet, taxidermy is able to capture memories that will last a lifetime as well as break your pocket