Taxidermy
By: Rai Coyne, Staff Writer
December 20th, 2023
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Items used-
Real tanned Coyote pelt
Real coyote jawbone
Moldable foam
Brown wolf glass eyes
Quartz geodes
Fake moss
Wooden plaque
I wanted to first do taxidermy when I saw an artist on Instagram going by the name “@DarkFernCreations” creating taxidermy animals. I had been following this artist for a few months before I decided to create something like that myself. What is taxidermy? According to Webster’s Dictionary, it is “the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals with lifelike effects.”
First, I used 3.3lb moldable foam to mold out the face of a coyote. I rolled up a ball for the head and then attached a rectangular shape to the front of it. I pushed it into the head so that it looked like it was one piece instead of multiple. Secondly, I started to mold the eyeholes out along with the muscles, or brows, around the eyes. After that, I took two small pieces of foam and put them on each side of the front of the muzzle, replicating the snout muscles on canines. I finished adding the cheek and facial muscles, making sure they were even on each side of the head. I used a canine head anatomy chart as a reference in order to get the proportions of the head right. I did not have to sculpt the ears or bottom jaw.
I attached a coyote bone jaw to the top head, making it look more lifelike although it was bone. After the mold dried, I inserted two wolf glass eyes and made sure they were both even and looked like they were following you as you moved. Once finished, I hydrated the coyote pelt since it was dry. Then, I stretched out the pelt over the sculpture so that it fit perfectly. Last, I hot glued the back of the head to the wooden plaque.
I posted the final product on Instagram of the taxidermy art I have made, and the person who inspired me (DarkFernCreations) commented on the post with heart face emojis. They currently have over 70k followers and I advise following them because their art in taxidermy is very beautiful and they have a lot of skill in what they do.
I would like to start a small business doing this type of art like they have. If I am commissioned for this type of art, I would gladly do it again. The one downfall is that taxidermy is usually expensive depending on size. Examples of standard taxidermy prices for coyotes:
Head- 150
Shoulder- 375
Half Body- 725
Full body- 1,285
In the end, I gave it to one of my friends, Rowan Nelson as a Christmas gift and did not keep it for myself. Rowan also has a love for animals, bones crystals, and nature so I thought it would be an okay gift to give him for Christmas this year.
If you would like to commission a piece or follow my art, please ask me directly for my Instagram.
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