Hi, I'm Sam! I am a 25 year old multimedia artist, taxidermist, and nature nerd born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. My art focuses on bringing attention to the amazing diversity found in natural forms in an effort to educate and excite people about the wonders of animal life! I embrace imperfection in my work, especially in my taxidermy pieces, as I believe nature deserves our appreciation and affection without the pressure of needing to appeal to a very human sense of perfection.
I have loved animals and nature more than anything else since I was a child, and my appreciation for the natural world has only expanded as I learn more every day! I have been drawing for just as long; I am almost entirely self-taught in both my art and taxidermy work. My interest in the preservation of real specimens began in high school as a way for me to develop an intimate understanding of how animals move, grow, and function in their environment, and sparked my interest in learning more about how ecosystems function and how every organism has a place in this world.
I am a conservationist first and an artist second, so I prioritize ethical and sustainable sourcing over anything else. I graduated in 2023 from the University of Arizona with my Bachelor's in Wildlife Conservation and Management, and through my schooling had many fantastic opportunities to work closely with native wildlife in the field and with a huge variety of museum specimens. I also prioritize long-lasting preservation methods, ensuring each specimen I work with can assist in educating and fascinating people for many years to come.
My strongest interests in the fields of wildlife conservation and natural history include taxonomy, evolutionary biology, collections preparation and preservation, functional ecology, morphology, human-wildlife interactions, and scientific communication!
For more information about my specimen sourcing practices and preservation methods, visit my Sourcing page! For answers to general questions about my art and products, visit my FAQ page!
