The Artwork of Travis C. de Villiers

30/09/2020

Thanks to for updating my website, I love the new changes but now I need more content to add in there 😅

I hope who ever has a chance to look at it will enjoy the experience! Shout out if you think something is missing, I would enjoy hearing ideas!

Link in bio!

13/08/2020

A side view of this developed in the de Villiers Atelier...

07/08/2020

The Leaping from the de Villiers Atelier.

18/06/2020

A once in a lifetime taken on a once in a lifetime . Congratulations to for taking this old bull who measured out to 58” and had 4 horns! I am blessed to have been allowed to create a mount with him and it is my hope that your grandchildren will have the opportunity to admire him one day...

taxidermy

19/05/2020

I created this a little while ago, looking back on all the hours and research it takes and the discipline in the sculpture to attempt to make it as accurate as possible. There a lot of steps that need to happen to get to that point. First I start with a specimen, molding anatomy and measuring just about everything I can, the foundation on which it is built. I make sculpting clay, and depending on the size of the sculpt and the level of detail will determine the hardness of the clay as harder clay holds more detail. Then comes the hours and hours of steady hands that bring life into it using photographs, video footage, studies, casts and the measurements I take. Once at the point in these photos a fiberglass and epoxy or polyester mold is taken from the clay sculpt which requires a fair amount of technical ingenuity so the mold will simply fall off the cast with zero effort and strain on the mold. Wooden boards are inserted into the top of the head of the hollow mold and the backing. Polyurethane foam is poured into the mold and expands and duplicates the sculpture. Once you have the foam form, you can start the taxidermy. Tanning the skin, repairing any holes or cuts, preparing and thinning it down to the correct thickness. Then preparing the form to mount, roughing it up to allow the glue to bond, sealing it, attaching the skull cap with the horns, setting the eyes in and sculpting the lids, blending in around the skull. Then glue I make myself is put on the form and on the skin, the skin pulled over the form and carefully sewed up. The face is then mounted and the skin is taxied into the correct position. Once we reach this step, washing and grooming happens, pins and strips of card are used to define muscles and prevent drumming. The mount is then ‘babysat’ as it dries working in details. When dry, epoxy sculpt is used to blend in the nose interior, base of the horns, around the eyelids and lips. Finally the finishing is done which is painting by hand and airbrush to restore colour, followed by sealing the paint. Once done it is exported across the world, who said this job is easy, it’s a labor of love.
@ Warmbad, Limpopo, South Africa

10/05/2020

28/11/2019

A different take on a piece. What are your thoughts?

08/06/2019

What a great week working with these two guys! It is always rewarding to be blessed by doing what you love, working on incredible animals and being surrounded by great people.

16/03/2019

17/01/2019

It was privilege to have been a part of this film. Congratulations to everyone involved in creating it

“Stuffed” is a documentary feature film about the surprising and unique world of taxidermy. Through the eyes and hands of passionate renowned artists…

13/11/2018

A fine Squirrel specimen.

25/10/2018

25/10/2018

07/06/2018

If you'd like an interview, quote or to feature my work, feel free to get in touch.

[email protected]

Please do not use any of these photographs without permission. All rights reserved.

07/06/2018

07/06/2018

I have presented seminars at events across the globe. I have given live demonstrations, workshops and talks. Having the platform to spread knowledge in the field is vital to the continued growth of the taxidermy industry.

07/06/2018

I am a professional Anatomical Sculptor having worked with leading companies in the industry. I have provided realistic, anatomically correct sculptures across the globe.

Please do not use any of these photographs without permission. All rights reserved.

07/06/2018

I am a Master Mammal Taxidermist, I oversee the entire process to ensure the mounts my clients receive are of world class quality.

Please do not use any of these photographs without permission. All rights reserved.

21/05/2018