Back in the doldrums of winter, I heard about Mickey Alice Kwapis: a twenty-something jewelry maker. Unlike most jewelry artisans that use ordinary materials in their craft, Mickey is unique. She makes her art with taxidermied animals - yup, you read correctly. I immediately contacted Mickey and a week later she was in my studio.
This was exactly the type of project I needed to kickstart my convergence of still and moving imagery. Mickey is a living juxtaposition; she’s sweet, soft spoken and fashionable and not at all what you would expect to find under the title “Taxidermist.”
For most of my photographic life, I’ve sought juxtaposition or a certain texture in an otherwise digitally retouched and perfected world, constantly searching for something out of the ordinary and unique. I like the idea that this texture separates reality from falsification. It’s life’s subtle imperfections and originality that keep me interested.
We all have little quirks that make us individuals. As you look at the photographs and then watch the interview, I’m sure you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. Mickey is a living juxtaposition.
Check out the interview on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/63203228
I am going on hiatus from making jewelry for the next month or so. Please visit the Detroit Academy of Taxidermy at www.detroittaxidermy.com to book classes, otherwise I will see you later!
Meow #cat #taxidermy not sure how I feel about this one… Bunnies are still my favorite animal to work on.
Three individually jarred rabbit fetus specimens from a pregnant rabbit I was working on. #taxidermy #detroittaxidermy #wetspecimens
Seattle & Minneapolis Sign-Up
Click the link above to sign up for my May classes in Seattle and Minneapolis. They’re filling up very fast!
My summer classes are filling up fast, especially Minneapolis and Seattle! If you wanna be a part of what I’m doing, visit detroittaxidermy.com/classes to find out when and where I’m going to be and sign up!
Seriously, you guys… Two of my four classes are almost full! Jump on it while you can!
(Source: thedetroitacademyoftaxidermy)
Matilda’s Fundraiser!
I have posted about poor English bully Matilda earlier, but as our followers quickly informed me - the link to the page where one could donate for her cause wasn’t working.
Here it is again: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/2RT45?psid=98a838959d5746e882bf2ac6002504ef
Matilda was dropped at a local shelter by a breeder to be euthanized. As you can see she is in bad shape. She does have very nasty bacterial skin infections secondary to what ever is causing the redness and hair loss. Her ears are infected. She has pus dripping out of them. Her breathing is so loud and rattled from her nares and palate that her foster mom is surprised Matilda has made it this long. Her nose is a crusty mess. Her nails were so long they were digging into her pads and were like that for so long her toes point sideways even after they nails have been cut. She has a few small skin tags/masses on her legs.
Matilda’s hips are really bad. They are causing her extreme pain and she must have surgery on both. She will have her left hip operated on on Monday then in 6-8 weeks she will have her right hip operated on. We are trying to raise the money for the operations $3,000 minimum.
This little bulldog is only 30 lbs, about the size of a large frenchie. We’re not sure is she was bred to be a “mini” bulldog, but she is very compact. SMRS gets many dogs in the rescue that have medical issues, but Matilda is one of the worst that they have seen. She is very sweet, but her spirit is broken.
Please donate and give poor Matilda a chance to get healthy and start a journey towards a loving home of her own!
I love helping living animals even more than I enjoy giving life back to the dead ones. Please reblog! I verified where the money is going and it *is* going to the bulldog rescue.
(via -lizdoestumblr)
Mouse skull necklaces available in silver and gold from the Detroit Academy of Taxidermy webstore.
$150 including free shipping.
The amount of notes on this post astounds me!!! <3
