I have mounted 4 shoulder mounts and I am "ok" at it but, I was just wondering how many you mounted before you were "Good"?
thanks
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The number mounted just makes you an old hand at each individual task - skinning, salting, fleshing, turning ears, splitting lips, etc. Proficiency at each task can aid your speed and confidence, but it takes concentrated study of the species and dilligent side research to produce a truly magnificent mount. While the number of mounts you produce has some consequence on ability, it is the study of the animal, the works of others and attention to details that make the difference between "fair" and "good". "Good" is also a matter of opinion. What may be good to a competent taxidermist like John C or George Roof, may be a level that is unreachable by others.
A skilled sculptor who specialized in teh wildlife arts, might need only a few basic instructions in order to turn out a "good" mount, since many of the skills and research required was accomplished in support of the main vocation.
I knew a fellow once who turned out a hundred or more heads a year for many years, and not one was at a level that I personally would consider good. Just stick to it, study hard and your work will improve with each mount. Only you will be aware of the moment "good" arrives, since you are the one with the concept. Competition will let you know when your idea of good is agreed to by others.
the ultimate judge is your customer. Only when your customer feels you are "good" should you be happy.
I would venture a guess that the majority of taxidermists are truely perfectionists. The many I know, are.
With my newly designed shop, I have planned a waiting area for completed pieces, yet to be picked up. Reason being I finish a piece, then often while awaiting its pickup I will redo this or that. I'll walk by and look at it and say, gosh, that area needs a little more flesh color, etc. With the completion of my shop, I will no longer have to walk past these pieces (LOL) unless I enter that room.
Ironically customers often pick up pieces, I was less than thilled with, yet they are happy as heck. I see a repaired antler and the area jumps out at me, the customer can not even see the repair.
Bottom line, you are "good" when others judge your work as such, there is no magical number that tells people you are good, your work speaks loudly all by itself.
Throw anything down for a while and the neglect seems to make every error or miscue stand out like a sore thumb. My problem is age, sometimes I forget where I put the object to be "neglected"....lol
Happy Fourth
No matter how many you mount you will always pick up tips to make your work better.
Shannon, I have found out over the years that a lot of people do not know the difference between good quality and poor quality deer heads. A lot of people are happy with most work. An ideal way to find out quality deer taxidermy is to join your local state association and surround yourself with other taxidermists of all different skill levels. You will enjoy yourself and learn at a faster pace. As CUR has said, learning the anatomy of the whitetail deer will greatly enhance your work. Lots of reference material.
I totally agree with all the above answers, but it is also my belief that the knowledge gained from competition critques and the various seminars offered at these shows can be some of your best sources for improvement. Hell, aside from taking formalized training or schools, where else do you get imput on your work from some of the most recognized and talented artists in the industry? If your not already a member of your state's association then I recommend you look into joining soon. It's been a tremendous help and made dramatic improvements to all aspects of my work. Give it a try, sure you can't eat a ribbon,but maybe the guy down the street who makes that statement can choke on the knowledge you've gained by participating. Best of luck to you. Marc R
You must type faster then me. You took the words right out of my mouth. Marc R
I can't type any faster, but I am fast at the enter button. Its good to see other people who enjoy the state associations and even though you can't eat your ribbon, it does show a higher degree of taxidermy and quality mounts.
When your customers tell you you are good and keep bringing their trophies to you ,thats one way to tell. YOU are the ultimate judge ,if you know you can do better then do so.Every mount should be better than the last one .As my instructor once told me "Your first mount will (should )be your worst!" Take in some seminars ,read all you can ,and spend time in nature's living room to see what it looks like while it is living and improve your work.Lets say you need to improve your deerheads-go sit in a treestand and watch what deer do ,how they move in their different moods.Every time look specifically at a different part .Ears today ,eyes tomorrow,noses next time. You get the picture. In fact go to Wal-mart and buy the clearanced out "Monster Bucks "video series and watch them ,pause when you want to examine a particular part of anatomy.
Hey! All the above responces are true-true-true! I guess from my experience you will know when you are good when you can satisfy both the customer AND YOU! It is funny how anal we can be when trying to reach perfection. The little things that seem to stick out like a sore thumb are rarely noticeable by the customer. We as taxidermists seem to be out biggest and harshest critics.I just mounted a Gaboon viper from africa, that the customer raved about with praise, but bugged the hell out of me.From an asthetic view it was gorgeous, but something about the eyes bugged me. I seemed to be ubhappy that the eye capsule which is banded white was off on one side by about a 100th of an inch.It was not noticeable by anyone but me, but it drove me crazy. You will truly be good, when you can satisfy both yourself, and the customer. REMEMBER! YOU are your best critic! Never being satisfied meens learning and improving
Tom
theres a couple full timers around here who have been in business for 20 years whose deer look like roadkill. when i do sports shows i like to set up near these guys. makes my work look even better. doing good work isnt just in the number of mounts you do its also in having the right attitude about what your doing.