Being a Taxidermist: Jazmine Miles Long’s Journey
Taxidermist, artist and natural history restorer Jazmine Miles Long creates ethically sourced bespoke taxidermy for galleries and museums, while also championing sustainable practices through talks and workshops. In this Craft Journeys interview, she shares the path that led her to this unique craft.
Can you introduce yourself and your craft practice?
I am a taxidermist and I work with museums and galleries all over the UK and internationally to create work for exhibitions, science collections and education only working with animals that have died from natural causes. I also create my own art work and advocate for ethical sustainable practices through delivering lectures and workshops at various institutions.
Taxidermy is a sculpture of an animal using just the skin of that animal (and sometimes the skull). I create a solid replica of the animals muscular structure by binding wood wool around a wire frame to build up the structure or I carve the animals shape using balsa wood and then I add details onto this form with clay. I process the skin of the animal and clean it, for mammals I tan the skin into leather. I then sculpt the skin onto my form using as much reference material as I can, and measurements I have taken from the animal to make an accurate recreation. I use glass or acrylic eyes and when the skin is fully dry I sculpt on top of the skin to add details and paint any un-feathered or un-furry skin so it looks lifelike.
Could you tell us about your journey and some of the experiences that helped you the most?
I always loved making as a child and wanted to become an artist. When I graduated from Sculpture at Brighton University I volunteered at the Booth Museum of Natural History in 2007, where I was shown the craft of taxidermy, and I have been doing it ever since. To gain skills in taxidermy it’s all about practice and experience. Taxidermy involves a wide range of skills from leather tanning, carving, sculpting, model making, casting, sewing, painting, chemistry and more.
When I was in my early years of training I would visit as many taxidermists studios and museums that I could to soak up as much information on the craft alongside practicing different techniques in my studio using Victorian taxidermy books as reference. I became a member of The Guild of Taxidermists and NatSCA (Natural Sciences Collections Association) and attended conferences where I would learn from the demonstrations and talks. Networking at these events also meant I could also ask questions and expand my knowledge. Learning this craft is very much about trial and error and although we all aim for the same outcome it’s important to find the methods that work best for you. I love my job because I am constantly facing new challenges as every species of animal is unique in some way.
How has your career evolved over time and were there any special moments that shaped your career?
When I first started I said yes to every job and opportunity that was offered to me. Each new work I created informed my practice and taught me more about what I wanted to achieve within my work.
Regardless of whether a project was successful or if the final outcome had not lived up to my expectations it taught me how I could do things differently when the next job came around. Working with clients from the art world and museum backgrounds brought a diversity of work and made me realise I enjoyed this variation in my practise.
In 2014 I had a pivotal moment in my career where I gave a talk and demonstration at an evening event at the Horniman Museum and Gardens. This was the beginning of many talks, workshops and events I presented over the years at various institutions and so alongside physically making taxidermy I was also becoming a sort of advocate for modern taxidermy dispelling misconceptions and stereotypes entwined with my craft.
In more recent years this has evolved into advocating for ethical practices as a taxidermist and maker. It is important for me to limit my environmental footprint in my practice and I do this by using as many natural, responsibly sourced and sustainable materials as possible. I also try to limit the use of chemicals in my work and am currently researching and learning a new method of leather tanning using only organic materials.
What advice would you give someone considering a similar path?
My advice would be to not give up, and try to find enjoyment in making. Taxidermy is a difficult craft to master due to the diversity of skills needed and massive amounts of patience. When things go wrong it can be really disheartening and I have cried many times at work. But if you continue to practice it does get easier as the skills move from your brain and into your hands and become more natural.
I love that my job straddles both art and science. It has many applications not only in art and design but also in fashion, theatre and film for example. And taxidermy is still vitally important for science collections and education, and if done well, it can be a truly beautiful, delicate representation of an animal.
These taxidermy sculptures can be used to teach about conservation, climate change, biodiversity and gives us the opportunity to see these animals up close and understand how precious their life was. I also believe in the power of community, being a craftsperson or even just being self-employed can feel isolating so try to find other like-minded makers who you can bounce ideas off of and discuss challenges. I am very lucky to share my studio with my husband who is an illustrator and artist, he is my biggest support yet is always able to offer a critical eye to help me see my work from a different perspective. I also have taxidermist colleagues and friends who I am so grateful for as I message them almost daily for advice. To be a maker you must be willing to work hard, stay motivated and love making!
What challenges did you face along the way, and how did you navigate them?
Financial instability was certainly the biggest burden when trying to start out as a freelance maker. In the early days of my career I worked an array of part-time jobs whilst developing my skills. It was also a challenge to find confidence in my ability as a maker and to believe in and appreciate my own work rather than just seeing what I could improve on. Public speaking was quite daunting at first though I have found giving talks to the public over the years has really helped me to appreciate my work and instil confidence in my abilities.
