The quality of the taxidermy form used can make all the difference in preserving your prized hunting trophy. Here at Artistic Visions Wildlife, we realize each mount is more than just a decoration; it is a memory one treasures of his or her time in the outdoors. That is why we use only top-notch taxidermy forms for every project we take on.
What Are Taxidermy Forms?
Taxidermy forms are essentially the basic structure used to provide shape and posture to an animal in taxidermy. The forms, which are made of either foam or fiberglass, serve to be like a “skeleton” that the hide of the animal is mounted on. Good quality taxidermy forms are paramount to lifelike results, capturing the essence of the animal.
Nature’s Art: The Evolution of Taxidermy Forms
In the early days of taxidermy, forms were crude, at best: a taxidermist might literally stuff an animal’s hide with sawdust or cotton, producing unnatural, short-lived mounts. But the field has changed a lot over time.
Carl Akeley is considered the father of modern taxidermy, having revolutionized the craft by introducing the use of detailed anatomical studies and skeletal structures to create more accurate forms. This approach set the standard for the high-quality taxidermy forms we use today.
4 Reasons Why Quality Matters in Taxidermy Forms
Using high-quality taxidermy forms is essential for several reasons:
- Anatomical Accuracy: Premium forms are designed based on extensive research of animal anatomy, making sure your mount looks true to life.
- Durability: A well-made form offers a stable base that will keep your mount in shape and good appearance for many years.
- Ease of Use: Quality forms make the mounting process easier for the taxidermist, freeing him up to work out the finer details that will bring your trophy to life.
- Customization: The better taxidermy forms come with more pose and expression options, making the mount truly personalized.
The Quality of Your Final Mount
The quality of the taxidermy form directly reflects in your final mount. A good form allows for proper muscle definition, accurate proportions, and natural posing. It is this attention to detail that makes a mount go from average to great.
Selecting the Correct Taxidermy Forms
When choosing taxidermy forms, several factors come into play: Species-Specific Forms Different animals take different forms. A whitetail deer form will be different from a black bear form, for example. Using species-specific taxidermy forms will ensure that your mount accurately represents the unique characteristics of the animal.
Size and Proportions
Taxidermy forms vary in size according to the trophy animals. Choosing a form that closely matches the measurement of your animal specimen will ensure a realistic outcome of work.
Pose and Expression
The pose of your mount can make all the difference in its overall appearance. Quality taxidermy forms come in a variety of natural poses and expressions to capture the animal just the way you remember it from your hunt.
The Artistic Visions Approach to Taxidermy Forms
At Artistic Visions Wildlife, we pride ourselves in our meticulous approach to selecting and creating the highest quality form to fit the mount and the vision of the piece. Our processes are in-depth and well thought out to ensure the best possible outcome with your prized trophy. Measuring is a very important step in our process, so we take detailed, precise measurements of each animal. This critical step ensures that we select just the right form that will properly depict the size and proportions of your specific trophy.
When the measurements are taken, we proceed with form selection. We strongly believe that the foundation of any great mount starts with a good quality taxidermy form. So, we use nothing but high-quality, anatomically correct taxidermy forms from renowned manufacturers. Such forms are made in minute detail, based on vast research into the anatomy of animals. This provides a very good base to work on.
However, we do realize that each animal is unique, and more often than not, a standard form will simply not cut it when it comes to capturing the characteristics of your trophy. And when necessary, we take the time to change forms to best capture the particularities of your trophy. It could be anything from slightly adjusting the pose of the animal to better muscle mass definition or even a simple tweak in the facial features to more closely reflect how you remembered it during the hunt.
Lastly, we are very concerned with the minute details during the mounting process. While applying the hide to the form, great concern is paid to the articulation of muscle groups, bone structure, and facial features. It is in this detailed work that your mount is truly brought to life in a realistic and lifelike representation of your trophy. Here at Artistic Visions Wildlife, we feel this combination of high-quality taxidermy forms with master craftsmen truly sets our work above.
The Importance of Expertise
Quality taxidermy forms are important, but they are only half the equation. The quality and artistry of the taxidermist are what bring out the best in these forms. Our team at Artistic Visions Wildlife combines years of experience with a passion for wildlife artistry to create truly exceptional mounts.
Beyond the Form: Other Factors in Quality Taxidermy
While taxidermy forms are the foundation of a great mount, other elements go into making a quality mount great:
Eyes and Expression
The eyes are often said to be the window to the soul, and such proves to be the case in taxidermy. High-quality glass eyes, properly set, can bring life and personality into your mount.
Nose and Mouth Details
The nose and mouth are sensitive areas that require attention to details. A well-articulated nose, with its texture and coloring as natural-looking as possible, will go a long way in breathing life into your mount.
Hide Preparation
Good quality preparation and tanning of the hide mean that it will look natural and will last for generations to come when applied onto the taxidermy form.
3 Long-Term Benefits of Quality Taxidermy Forms
Investing in a mount that uses high-quality taxidermy forms pays off in the long run. Here’s why:
- Longevity: A well-made mount can last for generations, becoming a family heirloom.
- Maintained Value: Quality mounts often retain or even increase in value over time.
- Consistent Appearance: Superior forms help your mount maintain its shape and look over the years, resisting sagging or distortion.The Foundation of Exceptional Taxidermy
Taxidermy is the one field wherein you precisely get what you pay for. Quality taxidermy forms are the backbone on which quality mounts are assembled. They personify that structure and detailing that will develop in life-like, timeless tribute to hunting achievements.
At Artistic Visions Wildlife, we are confident in the necessity and importance of top-of-the-line taxidermy forms in any given project. The meticulous quality of the end result and artistic vision that will couple with technical experience, preserving your trophy in the highest respect towards both animal and hunt, is secured.
A great mount begins with a great form. When choosing a taxidermist, make sure they use only the highest quality taxidermy forms. Your trophy deserves nothing but the best, and that is exactly what we strive to deliver at Artistic Visions Wildlife.
Whether it is a whitetail deer, a black bear, or an exotic game animal, the right taxidermy form can make all the difference. Let quality forms and skillful craftsmanship bring your hunting memories to life for years to come.
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Get In Touch With A Professional Taxidermist At Artistic Visions Wildlife
Call: (610) 301-2333
Email: info@artisticvisionswildlife.com
Visit: 507 Benjamin Franklin Highway West, Douglassville, PA 19518
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