When people think taxidermy, many of them picture a rotting animal skin stuffed full of batting like a quilt with a couple of glass eyes shoved into the eye holes. While this could be a somewhat accurate picture of taxidermy 100 years ago, it couldn't be further from the truth today.
Modern taxidermy is a refined combination of art and science. Some may call it a craft because of the assembly line like approach some taxidermist take. But, like any art, there is as much room for poetic freedom as any artist wants to take.
“The ART of taxidermy is continually changing and improving. It can be as limited or advanced as the taxidermist chooses to make it.” ~ Laine Dobson (FAT taxidermist)
Modern taxidermy consists of 5 major components
Skinning and fleshing
Tanning
Form prep and sculpting
Application of prepared animal components
Finish work
Items 1 and 2 haven't changed a lot from 100 years ago. However advancement in tanning chemicals and processes has made the fleshing step less involved and the finished hide more workable and longer lasting. In most cases, a taxidermist will send a hide off to be tanned at a large tannery where the equipment and process is specialized for the task.
Items 3-5 have advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years. High quality pre-molded forms, pre made eyes, and other quality preservation supplies can be purchased now rather than made to suite. This drastically improves the quality that goes into a mount. It also allows a taxidermist the ability to improvise and take more artistic and unique improvisations from the standard. Forms can be cut, adjusted, and manipulated in countless ways to produce unique and special mounts. All the while, retaining the longevity and accuracy of the animals preservation.
“Finish work in taxidermy is the icing on the cake. The animal comes to life and the sculpted features pop"
New painting and display techniques have changed the game in modern taxidermy. More realistic eyes and noses on wildlife taxidermy makes all the difference. A once average mount will stand out from the rest with small tricks of the trade that taxidermists have learned over years of practice.
“Taking the time in the small things makes all the difference"