Taxidermy Art

Designs Copyright © Natalie Tucker

Hi!  Let me first begin by saying – no animals are harmed making taxidermy art!  I respect all life, and believe that wildlife is amazing and beautiful.  The animals that are used in my art have died from natural causes, accidents, or are bred/farmed/hunted as food.

Seeing wild animals in their natural habitats is one of my favourite thrills in life.  As a young person, I got to visit many different parks that often had museums with taxidermy of the local wildlife.  I would get close to that wolf, bear, or cougar, and stare into their eyes, getting a scary thrill, feeling as if they were still alive, just for a second.  Good taxidermy can do that to you.

A few years ago I came across this book – Walter Potter’s Curious World of Taxidermy.  Walter Potter was a taxidermist in the 1850’s who made these dioramas of animals in scenes, acting like people.  It was a comment on the society that he lived in.  He has been my inspiration for using this inherently absurd art form to poke fun at the things people are doing nowadays.

For the past two years, I have been learning – by trial and error – the art of taxidermy.  I was surprized to find how many different artistic skills are needed for taxidermy.  Sculpture, painting, working with wires, wood, foam…. and every project presents its own problems that I need to solve.  Teaching myself this art form has been extremely fun and rewarding.  I have had more failures than successes, but am now starting to see some good things take shape.  Enjoy!