About a month ago I went to Lowell Shapely's one on one bird class. I recommend his lessons to everyone who is having trouble with bird taxidermy, and anyone who wants to take their bird skills to the next level. I was frustrated with bird mounting and refused to take in birds from customers for a long time. I could not make their faces look right, nor get their feathers to lay smooth. They were AWFUL! But I learned some new techniques from Lowell that have made bird taxidermy less stressful (actually enjoyable!) and his hands on teaching methods gave me the confidence to accept customer birds without apprehension.
During the class we did four birds from start to finish. He showed me how to skin a bird through a super short incision, which made their bellies smooth when finished. I learned an easier way to insert the wires, how to get the feathers squeaky clean, and how to groom. We practiced painting artificial heads, and I learned how to mold a toucan head! I got a bird anatomy lesson, information about some products, and a LOT more! Plus his wife cooked for us every day, and let me just say that they were the best home cooked meals I have ever had! (thank you so much J!)
Thank you Lowell for showing me the way of the bird so to speak!
Here are photos of the birds I mounted with Lowell:
I wanted to do both a standing and flying pheasant. Here is the standing bird. It was a bird that I bought from a shooting preserve. I love the way it looks, and so it will hang in my showroom forever!
This flying pheasant is for one of my favorite customers. Accepting this bird is what finally motivated me to seek out advanced bird training. Lowell showed me how to make the bird show action, and I think it looks awesome!
These two pen raised woodies were purchased from Lowell for the sake of getting some waterfowl skills while I was there. Lowell mounted the drake and I mounted the hen. It is my favorite of all the birds I did in the class.
I painted this guy's feet when I got home. I am a terrible painter and I need to practice that some more (but I am not afraid to practice now that I have learned!).
A close up of my hen. She is beautiful I know!
So to all who wish to learn bird taxidermy, or at least want to improve, this class is just what you need! It is worth the money and the drive/flight/travel!
Sincerely,
Codi
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