Theodor Geisel Unorthodox Taxidermy --New Sneetch WIP--

The Schlitzie

Sr Member
Hi guys, I'm working on a sculpture inspired by Theodor "DR. SEUSS" Geisel and his Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy.

The fledgling Springfield Zoo was a beloved part of Dr. Seuss’s childhood. If his father wasn’t able to accompany him and his sketchpad there, he would go with his mother or his sister, Marnie. Only later, when Ted’s dad became the superintendent of parks, did he also become an unexpected resource, who now aided and abetted his son’s artistic efforts. Zoo animals that had met their demise lived on as their bills, horns, and antlers were shipped to Ted’s New York apartment to become exotic beaks and headdresses on his bizarre taxidermy sculptures.

The result was an astounding 17 sculptures—created during the 1930s—which remain today as some of the finest examples of his inventive and multidimensional creativity.


I couldn't afford the price tag of the limited edition replicas of his taxidermy sculptures ($3,000 range) so I thought I would start on making my own in the same style.

------------New project, Taxidermy Sneetch!!-----------

Hey guys! Ultraman and I have been working on a new oddity, a Sneetch taxidermy!


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my original sculpt for the head just out of super sculpy. It had some lumps and dents in it but nothing I couldn't fill and sand:

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A quick mockup of the way I planned on building the neck:

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I put a casting of the head under the harshest of lighting to show the lumpiness in my original sculpt and after cleaning it up:

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Here's after assembling the head and neck parts, I trimmed strips of yellow fur and glued them down and then hand laid loose fur to the head so that it would lay a bit flatter and blend together:

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I should have some more progress shots to come shortly along with a nice finished product in the next day or two. Hope you all enjoy it!

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A little more progress on the sneetch. I think I'll make another with the neck thinner and with the collar of white fur/feather at the base of the neck. I should have the base done soon to mount this to.




"The Wubbulous Weirdabeast"

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Re: Theodor Geisel Unorthodox Taxidermy

great idea…these are really cool, I didn't even know they existed

following this with interest :thumbsup
 
Re: Theodor Geisel Unorthodox Taxidermy

It's been a long while since I've visited this project, but after letting it get kicked around and moved out of the way a million times I made the time to finish it. Just waiting to hear back about getting a plaque made for it.

I call it the "Wubbulous Weirdabeast"

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Re: Theodor Geisel Unorthodox Taxidermy

This is awesome. I saw the exhibit of his taxidermy when it came to Chicago. Yours definitely does the originals justice. It looks great.
 
Re: Theodor Geisel Unorthodox Taxidermy

Thanks! I checked out one gallery that had his work, but they only had his paintings.

This is awesome. I saw the exhibit of his taxidermy when it came to Chicago. Yours definitely does the originals justice. It looks great.
 
I posted up some pictures in the first post of a collaborated effort between me and Ultraman. The new Sneetch Taxidermy!

Here's the progress so far:

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wicked he came out sweet here's the one i did in felt......

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did a metal star cut out welded on a goose neck from an old lamp and inlaid it in oak.
 
i had to grind the felt in a hand crank herb grinder for 5 hours to turn it into powder!!!!

but it worked out well.
 
I had a prototype Sneetch that I used too thick of a neck material on, so I used the opportunity to try out a few new things and make an original Dr Suess style taxidermy mount.

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Bonus points to whoever manages this! Thidwick was always one of my faves. Great work on here, by the way.
 
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