Love of the natural world, all things old, and a fascination with death culture, led me to this path of restoring taxidermy relics.

Through my existing vintage and antique furniture and decor shop, I would find neglected, cast off specimens, tattered and worn but still beautiful, and in need of care and attention. Years of practicing, learning new and better techniques, and a journey to England to further my knowledge in a formal course, all combined to a point where I am now able to offer this service to others.

I restore old taxidermy as a way of honouring the life of the animal, as many antique and vintage mounts were made with animals that met a premature death, solely for the purpose of taxidermy. By restoring a piece, I am not condoning the killing of an innocent creature, but instead attempting to give it a new life, so that it can be appreciated again, even in death.

In October 2023, I had the great privilege of traveling to the UK for a course in taxidermy and pinned insect restoration, with Conservator of Natural Sciences, Simon Moore. While I had been self-taught up until this point, having Simon’s guidance proved to be indispensable. Watching my fellow students, many of whom were museum conservators from all over the world, was also of incredible value. I’m so grateful for my time there, and look forward to returning one day for further education.

Until then, I have enrolled in a class with American conservators Fran Ritchie and Bethany Palumbo of the Institute for Natural History Arts in New Jersey. This course in late June will focus on cleaning methods and conservation of taxidermy mounts. I’m excited to further improve my techniques and meet like-minded people with a shared affinity for the art of taxidermy.