The Quill wildfowl art

02/10/2025

Thought I would share this after a conversation with new client… there are limitless options for preserving memories if hunts… even if the piece has issues that would make full mounts not acceptable… Art has no limits… you saw it here first! And I can usually get two silhouettes from each piece… this works well with gameheads as well as lifesize mammals.

01/26/2025

…it always feels like somebody’s watching me….

01/26/2025

Proper field care and cold storage is so very important… this one was a fight.

This duck was brought in the studio having been frozen loose in a t shirt for a couple years… freeze dried, stiff, crispy… with a tennis ball size slipped spot on belly…. Tell the client no way right? Well it was taken with his hunting buddy that passed away and I couldn’t say no…glad I didn’t.🙏

01/19/2025

The quail project that connected the prior post❤️🙏🙏🙏

01/19/2025

It is a rare occasion that connects my life, my art, and other people at this level…
Please read on…
I was contacted for a quail scene and at drop off the customer( now dear friends) visited for a good while. I introduced them to my wife who is an amazing violinist to which the said “ our grandfather built a violin in 1936 we would love to hear it played”. We had arranged for them to bring the violin to the next visit.
Fast forward to today… they had family in and wanted to stop in, bring family… and the violin, after showing them the new studio they saw the quail scene and loved it…then…
We went to my wife’s studio where she restrung and set up the violin and started to play… as the voice held in the wooden chamber of that nearly 100 year old violin began to fill the room… they couldn’t hold back tears… what an amazing moment, one that will be cherished.
As they were leaving they said,”we are now visiting mom and will play her the video”….
The following video is the mom, hearing her dad’s violin… a moment brought together by a simple quail.
This is why I pour so much of myself into what I do… it is my life’s work, will be here beyond me… and most importantly… you never know how much impact, memories, people what you do might connect or touch.❤️🙏🙏🙏

01/17/2025

Tiny attitude!…

01/04/2025

The wigeon hen in previous post reminded me of a piece by one of my favorite wood carvers Pat Godin…as a kid I gravitated quickly to decoy/ wood carving…there is no question as to why❤️

01/04/2025

Beautiful pair heading to the studio soon, congrats to the Hunter!
I have a love for wigeon… stunning birds❤️

01/03/2025

A post from my personal page worth reposting…

“Happy New Year to all!
Client sent a few photos, elements they like… all of it got me thinking about the “average” preferences.
Many times what is needed to compete at the highest levels of taxidermy competitions is not always someone else preferences. Using the same pics client sent of bird poses he likes and compositions I put together using those pics … curious which of these presentations most like…. Starting with basic poses on driftwood to more artistic presentations…Thank you🙏🙏

01/01/2025

Wishing everyone a blessed new year.
Goal for 25…. I’ve heard it loud and clear! I have to post new content regularly. Admittedly I came from an era where cell
Phone cameras didn’t exist🤷 the last things I think about is taking pics, Instagram, tictok, etc… but I do know that I need to have more of a presence… gonna work on that! So I’ll start here….
Why The Quill Wildfowl Art….I’ll let the “pics” do the talking….1st pic about 25 years ago second pic current….this is a mount that is 25 years old…

11/28/2024

Wishing a blessed day today and all those to follow…🙏🙏🙏🦃🦃🦃

11/23/2024

11/15/2024

Client piece wrapped up, challenge was fitting the new pheasant mount into his existing quail mount without looking crowded and still artistic which can be difficult….happy with results.🙏🙏🙏

11/12/2024

For those that have been asking, this page is for my wildfowl division…. But The Quill is a full service studio with over 40 years experience in all facets of taxidermy… a link to the Big game page will be posted soon… meanwhile….

11/02/2024

Todays workbench

11/02/2024

Hey gang, new studio move has taken place…more production space and Air conditioning! Not another sweltering western colorado summers for us!
Here’s to a blessed season and feel free to help fill the books!
First in progress yesterday…

02/16/2024

“ hey can you mold/cast duck feet and legs??”
Well…….🤣……. Yep

02/13/2024

Meet our Bird Judge, Ken Howard

Ecclesiastes 9:10, whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might;…Ken Howard from Fort Worth Texas takes that to heart. Born in Ohio into a family of “old world” craftsmen and outdoorsmen, a great environment for a multifaceted artist to develop was set.
Initial interests in hunting, fishing, outdoors, combined with a natural love of art and composition began to sculpt a career. Kens interests and passions include music, luthiery, archery, woodworking, sculpture, etc… however woodworking and sculpture in particular started a natural progression into taxidermy. A love of sculpture and woodworking, combined with a passion for duck hunting quickly led to decoy carving, then fish carving…” nothing is there for you, every feather, every scale, has to be carved… which forces study, particularly anatomy in its finest detail”.
The transition into taxidermy was natural and seamless, leaning on building blocks that had been in place long before. At a young age, Ken sought out the best award winning taxidermists in his area and offered “labor for apprenticeship”… all of this while balancing school, playing music, and working as wood carver/ cabinetmaker. For the last 30 years, taxidermy has been the spotlight. All the influences, training, an interest had built a career.
In competition, Ken’s simple philosophy that he would want his work to “ sit perfectly in place at an art gallery” produced pieces that has a natural blend of artistic elements, texture, balance, flow, and combining classic sculptural inspirations… has, very humbly, led to multiple Wasco, peoples choice, artisan, state champion, national champion, provenzano, best of categories, presidents awards, etc… however Ken finds the most enjoyment in sharing the experiences of this lifetime passion with others.
“God and family”… Ken finds life’s most precious blessings in those two words… a father of three amazing children cameron, chance, Cheyanne, and married to Leigh “who shows me daily what love is”…”God is the source of all things”…
“ I look forward to meeting you and expanding my… family🙏”