Repos winning awards Good/Bad?

[FishArt]

Scrubby I will say this. Personally I think pulling off a replica walleye is one of the most difficult replicas to paint. MUCH harder than a skin mount walleye. In fact, I've yet to see a walleye replica done where I can't tell that it is a replica (Sorry Master's!). Customer's I'm sure would be fine, but I sure can tell...

[Jim Tucker]

WOW!  This was like asking about DRY PRESERVE in the Gamehead category

I myself am a full service shop.  However I would MUCH rather do just fish....I prefer them.

I have done plenty of BOTH....neither is easier or harder TO GET A GOOD JOB than the other IMO.  They each have their difficulties.

If you do a good job on either.......neither technique is "better".

What I do disagree about is the reason for LOSS OF WORK.  At least where I live, fishing is just as popular as ever.

The difference is the NUMBER OF TAXIDERMISTS trying to get the work.   When I started doing taxidermy in 80 or so there were 3 guys doing taxidermy in what I would consider my "area".  Just off the top of my head I just counted 21 in that SAME AREA.

Sure many of these guys SUCK....but the fact remains if they each only took in 10 fish a year that is 210 fish less for those three guys....that is 70 less for each of us 3.  On top of those 21 guys there are COUNTLESS hobbiests that I don't know about that take a few here and there. 

The fact is that in 2008 if you plan on making it only taking work in your area FORGET IT, you have to get the high end clients these days and get lots of them.  You simply cannot survive on your local market if you are catering to the blue collar guy.  People look far and wide for a taxidermist these days....especially fish people as they are easier to "ship".   I am trying to push my business in that direction but it is hard to change after all these years. 

If I cannot make that change I will be done with taxidermy after 28 years!

Face it.  Taxidermy is not all that hard to learn.....at least to do an acceptable job. 
No one NEEDS taxidermy...it is a LUXURY

Most places you do not need a license, permit, degree, training NOTHING, ANYBODY can put out a shingle at ANYTIME.

Videos, books, conventions, schools are GREAT.  They have helped many taxidermists.....BUT they also saturate the market with taxidermists.  NOT picking on those who "teach taxidermy".  It is a good way to make money......but every time 5 guys go through a class.....that is five guys who won't be bringing you their work.

It is a NEW time for taxidermy......like ALL businesses you'd better learn to adapt or get out.
 

[FishArt]

Jim, I think every area is different. Around here we have FEWER taxidermists than we ever have and there's still far less work. Everybody has their theories - and I'm sure there's many variables including the poor economy. But, I firmly believe that PC thinking and the ability to release a fish and get a replica "someday" is the heart of the problem. There's no personal attachment or sense of urgency since replicas have been introduced. Expecially nowadays where the blanks (quality) has improved SO much...

[Jim Tucker]

Around here we have FEWER taxidermists than we ever have and there's still far less work.

Like usual neither one of us know what the problem is.

Taxidermists pretty much SUCK at business....even the ones who do good ha ha

[Marc]

 Jim, I  don't resemble that last remark....LOL! Infact, I'm pretty damn sure I'm a better business man than I ever will be a taxidermist.

[John C]

I never believe int he "Your area" bull crap. We get work from all over. yea there are some taxis that get really poed when they loose work to someone else. But if that taxi is I have not problem. its when they cut  throat price and send out junk dont matter if is fish, plastic or derheads.

[Harum]

Personally I feel that a reproduction made by the hand of the competitor should have a non biased consideration for best of show.
   
   Jim, The current system at your state show seems to imply that by creating a reproduction of a fish the competitor
has some sort of an advantage to achieving a more realistic outcome. Now my background is simply that of an Artist
and I could sculpt a fish with clay to the level of any of the fish I'm currently creating but the time consumption
would be enormous. I will admit being new to the taxidermy process but a skin mount just does not seem any more difficult
than a replica to me. The end result being as realistic as possible is all I'm after and I'm not sure I would promot one over the other.   
   
   Whether done by skin mounting or molding, the recreation of a fish should be embraced by the industry that
created this unique art form. I agree with separate categories but the best overall fish wins.
   
   On the subject of creating your own reproduction and integrity: If a competitor enters a reproduction
under false pretenses and then goes on to win over me than they did something (other than the replica) better and
I could easily accept that. The problem I see is if the judge assumes the replica was not done by a competitor,
for some reason and the piece losses points due to this assumption. Personally I would have a difficult time
getting over that. I suppose proof (other than a signature) by the competitor at registration could avoid this
possible problem.
   
   I want to add another twist to this post. I currently (due to the species) skin mount my fish then mold for
reproduction. I find that I am able to recreate a more realistic fish with this method. I can sculpt in muscle
tone and eliminate the shrinkage (due to water loss) and symmetry problems associated with casting a carcass
of this size. I could enter the skin mount but if I enter the replica am I therefore starting out with a
disadvantage?
 
   I disagree with the assessment that skin mounts are a dying art form (I love a good skin mount) but if in
 50 years they are no more, then I will stand corrected just so long as I'm still standing
 
-Pete

[brushwolf]

i think repos and skin mounts should be in 2 different catagorys

[Jim Tucker]

   Jim, The current system at your state show seems to imply that by creating a reproduction of a fish the competitor
has some sort of an advantage to achieving a more realistic outcome.

Actually, no.  However is making a REPRODUCTION Taxidermy?  and if it is........are Freeze Dried Crappies....Taxidermy?

I know it sort of sounds like the ONE ARMED bow hunter who heard rumblings that he had an advantage during competition.

[Dondi]

Jim T.
 You ask the question is making a reproduction Taxidermy ?

Pete H. states:
" I want to add another twist to this post. I currently (due to the species) skin mount my fish then mold for
reproduction. I find that I am able to recreate a more realistic fish with this method. I can sculpt in muscle
tone and eliminate the shrinkage (due to water loss) and symmetry problems associated with casting a carcass
of this size. I could enter the skin mount but if I enter the replica am I therefore starting out with a
disadvantage?
 
 I think it is taxidermy and more in the procedure that Pete uses to create a reproduction. He is moving the skin, sculpting and molding. So ...how is that not taxidermy ?

[Harum]

 If a reproduction can be entered in a taxidermy competition but can not receive best of show then (to me) that would imply that the organizers of the show feel that it is easier to accomplish a realistic fish by creating a reproduction. If this wasn't the case then skin mounts and reproductions would be judged equally for best of show.
  If your asking the question "is making a reproduction taxidermy" because that very question is the reason for the two not being judged equally. Then I see your point but to answer that question myself I would have to say that not all reproductions are created in the same fashion so I'm not sure there is a cut and dry yes or no answer.
   By the book there are two definitions of taxidermy: skin arrangement and the art of preparing, stuffing and mounting the skins of animals to a lifelike state. (I don't like the word stuffing either) So, does that mean freeze dried is taxidermy. I'm not at all knowledgeable about freeze drying but it does include the skin and you don't just drop it in the dryer and call it good. I believe you still need to do some skin arrangement.
   It is quite a conundrum but I still say the industry that created this unique art form should embrace the creation of a realistic life like fish by what ever means available.
   Separate categories, yes but the best overall fish wins. Even that freeze dried crappie.

Dondi, Some how I knew you would catch that.

[Jim Tucker]

This has been enlightening for sure.  It is good to hear from "fish guys" since those are the guys who would be "competing" against each other.

If the whole idea of competition is "the most lifelike example" then it should not matter what  METHOD the competitor used to achieve his "GOAL".

Like all areas Fish taxidermy has come a LONG way.  However IMO it still has the furthest to go of all the areas.

Even the BEST still are not making a fish that looks like what I caught at the lake.  We have produced great pieces of ART but "realistic" not yet.....at least not to the excellence of the WT and Bird level.

I look at my best interpretation and although I am satisfied i do the best i can....I don't see the depth and coloration of a live fish.  There are many BETTER fish guys than I....but even those fish don't look LIVE to me.

I would like to see the Fish Category rival that of the Deer and Birds in number.

Just looking for ways to get it done.

I think I will make a POLL out of it.