Unfortunately these pictures aren't so great; I didn't set up my back drop for the duck, and the pheasant was difficult to properly photograph because it's a hanging mount. Alas:
Showing posts with label pheasant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pheasant. Show all posts
Friday, January 9, 2015
Bird Bird Bird.
Bird is the word. Here are some photos of a finished pheasant and a mallard drake I mounted for one of my favorite clients. I finished these pieces a while ago but am only just now getting around to photographing them.
Unfortunately these pictures aren't so great; I didn't set up my back drop for the duck, and the pheasant was difficult to properly photograph because it's a hanging mount. Alas:
Unfortunately these pictures aren't so great; I didn't set up my back drop for the duck, and the pheasant was difficult to properly photograph because it's a hanging mount. Alas:
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Pheasant: It's what's on your wall and my plate!
Here's a fun trophy mount I just finished for a new father & son hunting duo; the son harvested this gorgeous pheasant and wanted to preserve it.
It goes without saying that I of course dined on pheasant for the next few days. Then, fueled properly on bird juice, I set to mounting this creature. Please forgive these photos; I waited until the client was literally in the parking lot of my shop to get around to shooting and the process was somewhat rushed. The flash actually kind of makes the first photo look a bit like an action shot, right?
Right?
I went with an open winged descent pose to display the full color and texture range of his feathers:
The shot destroyed the tip of his beak and left several of his lil pheasant toes dangling from their foot source, so some restoration was required.
Ta-Da!
Another oddly lit shot:
Rearish view:
I am aiming to really step up my technical game this year, and achieve complete realisation of the designs my head spins of dream taxidermy mounts. I treasure commissioned jobs like this pheasant, the squirrels I just wrote about and pet preservation because it allows me the work to pursue my more artistic and far-out endeavors.
I have grand visions for 2014; here's to ambition!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Freshest Head and Neck Fruits from my Hand Labor
Last week the gorgeous and talented Pearl ( you've seen her beauty here, see her creations here: Pearl Bell ) braved the sweltering climes in my third floor studio along with photographer and all around hottie Jim Coughlin (blog here: Snap Bam Splat and follow him on Instagram too @jimsinspace ) to shoot my latest headgear. I provided the champagne.
Behold!
The Pearl:
I blocked this green felt hat myself, and named it after Ms. Bell for the simple reason that wide brim hats remind me of her. There's a taxidermy wing tucked into the brim and some of the feathers trail off on the side, complimenting the downward swoop of the hat.
I also incorporated a sparkly tennis bracelet from my mother's collection.
The Pomp:
Comprised of the very same chicken from the Pearl hat, this piece is a taxidermied mount dried to mimic the shape of a swooping pompadour.
The mount itself is affixed to a handmade millinery base that I lined with pink satin and blue lace trim, which serves as a point upon which the hat can be secured on the wearer's head with bobby pins or elastic. I like to see it paired with a cage veil but it can also be worn alone.
The Frenchie:
A taxidermied wing is enmeshed into the ruffles of a vintage millinery base, a fun jaunty little number.
Secured to the wearer's head with an elastic band, it can provide hours of worry free dancing, drinking, laughing, etc. Worn alone here it's a flirty little number but can be paired with a white cage veil for a stunning wedding piece.
The Carnival:
Named after a wild night in which this hat remained on my head for 8 straight hours of drinking, dancing, being chased by Mexican gangsters, etc, this hat takes a licking and keeps....on your head.
Secured to the wearer's head with an elastic band, the focal point of this piece is a pair of deer antlers embellished with genuine Swarosvki set amethyst crystals that point dangerously close to the eye. The base is an antique millinery piece upon which I have added a raccoon fur poof and some hand twisted crinoline.
The Bobby:
My obsession with visors is still going strong, this example being in a hand blocked blue felt cap with a taxidermy chicken swirled around to create a bird butt poof at the top. The chicken is, of course, embellished with crystals.
Along with the practical purpose of visors reflecting glare, the not so secondary mystique element of a slightly veiled face cannot be denied.
Le Roth:
As it took shape, this hat started to channel a sort of David Lee Roth ala "California Girls" energy, but en peu more French. A taxidermied rooster wing sits atop a vintage millinery base with a yellow visor. The bird head is hollow, while the exterior is just dripping with crystals. Take from that whatever symbolism you wish,
The Andrea:
My classic visor hat. Raccoon fur lined with felt and embellished with a sweet little green velvet ribbon. Perfect for eye sex across the slopes and a toasty tete.
The Duchess:
This hat is a mashup of several species: the base is an antique rabbit fur pillbox, and I added a yellow poof of gosling down along with assorted chicken, guinea hen and pheasant feathers.
Ideal for a post hunt dinner on the estate, or a stroll down the avenue with you best beagle.
The Ladyship:
I think this piece speaks for itself. I just adore it. It commands respect and gives the wearer an air of dignified authority. The base itself was so stunning to begin with, all I could do was add to it. So add I did- a patch of assorted feathers, some gold metal charms from my personal collection and a tassel I made from silk fringe. For women only, no girls please.
El Gatador:
A super cute felt number, this is a seriously easy to wear piece that stays on the wearer's head thanks to an elastic band, and it extremely lightweight. One of my favorites, it's made especially special with a swirl of black rooster on top and a repurposed (read: my old earcuff from '84) alligator charm serving as an anchor for a bouquet of turkey beard hairs.
Perfect for any occasion, in my opinion.
The Marie:
Inspired by my Maid of Honor, this is a very proper velvet halo with a taxidermy rooster wing and saddle affixed to one side and a generous amount of Swiss dot veiling. If only I'd had this on my wedding day; she would've worn it perfectly. It conveys class, stoicism and a tremendous amount of fun just below the surface. For the gal who can conduct herself properly at an exclusive event and then share a cigarette in the alley with the staff five minutes later.
The Shannah:
Not for the faint of heart! The centerpiece of this headdress is a mummified bunny corpse coated in clear lacquer and covered in gems. He's holding chain reins and resting comfortable among the spider-like fur "arms" of this vintage mink millinery piece. Can be worn alone or paired with a cage veil.
The Mearrah:
I was going for a flapper feel with this hat; again the base is a vintage millinery piece and I added a taxidermied wing plus miscellaneous feathers and gems. Works great with slicked back hair or a curly mane.
The Isabella:
I wore the unfinished version of this to my opening at La Luz and it was a hit. Seeing it finished, and on a model, it feels more like a tribute to the late Isabella Blow, hence the title. It's a simple piece consisting of a taxidermied rooster dried in a shape which hugs the crown and points out at such an angle so as to keep simpletons at bay.
Foxy Fascinator:
A simple little ditty comprised of chicken feathers fanning out from a taxidermied fox nutsack. Sorry to be crass but I quite enjoy the juxtaposition of something people tend to shy away from serving such a pretty purpose. An excellent conversation piece.
Guinea Hen Necklace:
Taxidermied leg with fox fur poof, gold chains and an old charm from a church in Philadelphia.
Guinea Hen necklace with pearls:
Freak Mutant Rooster Leg Necklace:
That spur says it all. Ideal for someone who really wants to thin the herd of idiots who talk to them daily. No canvassers will even try to get your attention when you're wearing this.
Jawbone continuous earrings:
Fun to wear, lightweight nad a nonstop conversation piece.
Jaw bone continuous chain earrings:
Same as above; the chain is aluminium so it's also very lightweight.
So that was an eyeful, right? And there is still more in the works! Please think in advance about your Fall pieces and order now, folks.
XOXO Diamond Tooth.
Behold!
The Pearl:
I blocked this green felt hat myself, and named it after Ms. Bell for the simple reason that wide brim hats remind me of her. There's a taxidermy wing tucked into the brim and some of the feathers trail off on the side, complimenting the downward swoop of the hat.
I also incorporated a sparkly tennis bracelet from my mother's collection.
The Pomp:
Comprised of the very same chicken from the Pearl hat, this piece is a taxidermied mount dried to mimic the shape of a swooping pompadour.
The mount itself is affixed to a handmade millinery base that I lined with pink satin and blue lace trim, which serves as a point upon which the hat can be secured on the wearer's head with bobby pins or elastic. I like to see it paired with a cage veil but it can also be worn alone.
The Frenchie:
A taxidermied wing is enmeshed into the ruffles of a vintage millinery base, a fun jaunty little number.
Secured to the wearer's head with an elastic band, it can provide hours of worry free dancing, drinking, laughing, etc. Worn alone here it's a flirty little number but can be paired with a white cage veil for a stunning wedding piece.
The Carnival:
Named after a wild night in which this hat remained on my head for 8 straight hours of drinking, dancing, being chased by Mexican gangsters, etc, this hat takes a licking and keeps....on your head.
Secured to the wearer's head with an elastic band, the focal point of this piece is a pair of deer antlers embellished with genuine Swarosvki set amethyst crystals that point dangerously close to the eye. The base is an antique millinery piece upon which I have added a raccoon fur poof and some hand twisted crinoline.
The Bobby:
My obsession with visors is still going strong, this example being in a hand blocked blue felt cap with a taxidermy chicken swirled around to create a bird butt poof at the top. The chicken is, of course, embellished with crystals.
Along with the practical purpose of visors reflecting glare, the not so secondary mystique element of a slightly veiled face cannot be denied.
Le Roth:
As it took shape, this hat started to channel a sort of David Lee Roth ala "California Girls" energy, but en peu more French. A taxidermied rooster wing sits atop a vintage millinery base with a yellow visor. The bird head is hollow, while the exterior is just dripping with crystals. Take from that whatever symbolism you wish,
The Andrea:
My classic visor hat. Raccoon fur lined with felt and embellished with a sweet little green velvet ribbon. Perfect for eye sex across the slopes and a toasty tete.
The Duchess:
This hat is a mashup of several species: the base is an antique rabbit fur pillbox, and I added a yellow poof of gosling down along with assorted chicken, guinea hen and pheasant feathers.
Ideal for a post hunt dinner on the estate, or a stroll down the avenue with you best beagle.
The Ladyship:
I think this piece speaks for itself. I just adore it. It commands respect and gives the wearer an air of dignified authority. The base itself was so stunning to begin with, all I could do was add to it. So add I did- a patch of assorted feathers, some gold metal charms from my personal collection and a tassel I made from silk fringe. For women only, no girls please.
El Gatador:
A super cute felt number, this is a seriously easy to wear piece that stays on the wearer's head thanks to an elastic band, and it extremely lightweight. One of my favorites, it's made especially special with a swirl of black rooster on top and a repurposed (read: my old earcuff from '84) alligator charm serving as an anchor for a bouquet of turkey beard hairs.
Perfect for any occasion, in my opinion.
The Marie:
Inspired by my Maid of Honor, this is a very proper velvet halo with a taxidermy rooster wing and saddle affixed to one side and a generous amount of Swiss dot veiling. If only I'd had this on my wedding day; she would've worn it perfectly. It conveys class, stoicism and a tremendous amount of fun just below the surface. For the gal who can conduct herself properly at an exclusive event and then share a cigarette in the alley with the staff five minutes later.
The Shannah:
Not for the faint of heart! The centerpiece of this headdress is a mummified bunny corpse coated in clear lacquer and covered in gems. He's holding chain reins and resting comfortable among the spider-like fur "arms" of this vintage mink millinery piece. Can be worn alone or paired with a cage veil.
The Mearrah:
I was going for a flapper feel with this hat; again the base is a vintage millinery piece and I added a taxidermied wing plus miscellaneous feathers and gems. Works great with slicked back hair or a curly mane.
The Isabella:
I wore the unfinished version of this to my opening at La Luz and it was a hit. Seeing it finished, and on a model, it feels more like a tribute to the late Isabella Blow, hence the title. It's a simple piece consisting of a taxidermied rooster dried in a shape which hugs the crown and points out at such an angle so as to keep simpletons at bay.
Foxy Fascinator:
A simple little ditty comprised of chicken feathers fanning out from a taxidermied fox nutsack. Sorry to be crass but I quite enjoy the juxtaposition of something people tend to shy away from serving such a pretty purpose. An excellent conversation piece.
Guinea Hen Necklace:
Taxidermied leg with fox fur poof, gold chains and an old charm from a church in Philadelphia.
Guinea Hen necklace with pearls:
Freak Mutant Rooster Leg Necklace:
That spur says it all. Ideal for someone who really wants to thin the herd of idiots who talk to them daily. No canvassers will even try to get your attention when you're wearing this.
Jawbone continuous earrings:
Fun to wear, lightweight nad a nonstop conversation piece.
Jaw bone continuous chain earrings:
Same as above; the chain is aluminium so it's also very lightweight.
So that was an eyeful, right? And there is still more in the works! Please think in advance about your Fall pieces and order now, folks.
XOXO Diamond Tooth.
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