The deceived and the deceiver...

Probably the best examples of incorporating taxidermy and decoys is with the use dead mounts (I really like dead mounts). I've seen birds hung by the leg in a shadow box with a decoy either on top of the box or on the bottom ledge and seen a bird(s) draped over a decoy
 
That looks really good, might even be a loophole in the "no more dead animals in the house" edict many wives are struggling to enforce.
 
Did this for Blaine Davidson who I think is a member on this forum. His father carved the decoy in the 90's I believe and his son shot the Ringneck.
 
Both of these decoy/taxidermy displays are really nice! Great idea! It really shows off the reality and good work of the carver to have his work displayed next to the real thing.
 
I wanted to do a whistler decoy with the wire from the wing of the mounted bird installed into it as if the bird was cutting over the decoy and the wingtip touched.


Eddie
 
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Awesome Brad! That would really look great down in my decoy paint shop. It's probably just collecting dust at the farm... pg
 
Tim......so many taxidermy displays (IMO) have become very standard or generic. One flying bird is the same as 10,000 others....wings cupped and bent against the wall. The dead bird mount was pretty different and I appreciated seeing taxidermists trying something new. I haven't seen many mixed media (deke and mount) examples but I must say that yours is one of the most unique I have seen. The idea of the bent grass gives the illusion of current....although the decoy can't convey the bending strain of the water, the posture of the ringneck tells the perfect story of what is going on "beneath the waves". Like the old line about the duck swimming so gracefully and effortlessly on the water......but you don't see the frantic feet working so hard to create that motion. That is truly art......telling a spectacular story.


Dave
 
Dave you are absolutely correct. The posture of the swimming Ringneck with his legs in a kick turn to follow the decoy plus the fact he's slightly higher as if riding a wave behind is what sets this mount off. This mount is under glass and will be passed on to my son who shot the duck 22 years after my dad carved it. Unfortunately my dad passed 3 months after my son was born. I call this The "Legacy Mount" It was my idea but it was Tim who pulled it off!
 
Tim's work is Art, and has been recognized as such by the Erie Museum of Art. This is a major accomplishment, as "blood sport" art rarely gets recognized and given credit in these modern times.

Any artist will tell you, commissioned work really puts the artist to task, to please the patron as well as himself. Tim excels at that.

My two favorite displays at the old ODCCA show at Westlake, were Tim's and John Sharp. All I could do was stand there and look and study each... and just shake my head in amazement.

It is a privilege to know such men and enjoy their work.
 
Blaine, this is definitely a keeper. This is truly a family treasure both in aesthetics and history.


Dave
 
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