First attempt

First off . Replicas are not taxidermy
They are however a good start. You were right about throwing the paint schedule out! The fish doesn't look bad but the fins look very dark. The pectoral fins look like they are in the wrong position. The tail and tail juncture looks more like a salmon. Great job though for a first!

 

Just curious what you classify someone who does repro work only? Just a fish artist maybe?

 

I think so. Or fish replica artist, or maybe fish trophy artist.................. 8)

 

I agree with M.T. and Bryan. I'd consider someone a model maker, mold maker if working with the original specimen from scratch to produce a reproduction. If only doing assembly and or painting a cast replica then possibly an artist. I just don't believe replica work is taxidermy even though it may be included under the definition of "taxidermy" as a complimentary art. ;D

chromepursuit.....without having a reference photo showing colors that you were trying to imitate it's hard to give advice. As you know steelhead go through a very drastic change in the life cycle. Best advice ever given is to study a reference photo thoroughly and then more so!! Try replicating what you see after breaking down the color "layers" on the skin of the fish....

 

Totally agree with M.T and DougP, glad I'm not the only one that thinks that way.

 

x2

 

Taxidermy - the skill, activity, or job of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of dead animals so that they look like they did when they were alive. MW.

So, strictly by definition, sure. Consider, however, that molding and casting weren't developed as they are today or else that definition would likely be different. If you are taking a dead animal and making as close to an exact resemblance as possible using the specimen, thats the spirit. In many instances, a replica or replica part exceeds what can be accomplished with skin only taxidermy, so its actually superior to taxidermy in those instances in doing what taxidermy sets out to accomplish.

Art is an entirely different monster......and lots of "taxidermy" wouldn't make the cut as art.

Best, Scott

 

Very interesting view 1fish2fish, thanks for posting it

 

Scott, I agree with most of your points, but I do differ on your thought that the taxidermy definition would likely be different if molding and casting were "more developed". I would submit that the "spirit" of taxidermy, as you say, is not to make an "exact resemblance" of the specimen using inert materials. Taxidermy is the preservation of the specimen itself in the most lifelike manner as possible. IMHO ;D

Not meaning to hijack chromepursuits thread.....This was discussed in the past and was very interesting to get all views, even though I think some feathers were ruffled.

Maybe we should start a new topic on this, eh?

 

I would say freeze drying or pickling comes closer. Ironically, as there isn't any stuffing.....what do you call freeze drying? Is it not taxidermy? Maybe its the word that is wrong or lacking, not the definition. Perhaps there should be a new term to define "the industry" as a whole as it exists today.

chromepursuit, check this out: http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,100911.0.html

 

Hmmm.....I should have said the skin of the specimen itself. I would call "freeze drying" freeze dry taxidermy. Do we not use the skin and more of the specimen being preserved. I don't think we need a new term to define the industry. We already heve terms that define the different approaches within the "industry" very well.

Would a person making molds of BF prints or dino bones also be known as a taxidermist?

 

Pickling uses the skin, and maintains the organs to boot? Is it pickling-taxidermy then?

In the case of alleged Big Foot prints and Dino bones, Neither makes a dead animal look like it did when it was alive, so no, it doesn't maintain the end state of taxidermy.

 

Taxidermy???...... ;D

 

;D ;D...could be!

 

What about a skull mount? Taxidermy, not by definition.

 

Taxi: to move over the surface of the earth, or in this case, object.
Dermy: dermis or "skin".

Reproductions do not involve or contain either of these properties either before or after the procedure.

Best, Steve

 

Derived from and defined as are two different things. The Latin doesn't do it for me. In the old days most fish were filled, not moved over forms as today. They did involve skin.

Molding a fish most definately can involve moving skin. It just isn't part of the end product.