The Day of Biology; or A Very Basic Tutorial in Taxidermy! By Andreas Trolf
(Disclaimer: Undoubtedly, there are going to be a bunch of you out there reading this who'll voice strenuous objections to the art and science of taxidermy. I'm aware of the stigma attached to fooling around with dead things (not in that way)-whether it be for the purpose leather wearing, meat eating, or trophy hunting-and, for the most part, I agree with you people. I don't eat animals; I'm nice to house pets. But this is a mouse. A tiny, little, dead-as-fuck domestic rodent. We didn't kill it. It's not as if we set steel-jaw traps in the wilderness, hoping to catch some wolves or mink or bears. We just found a dead mouse and cut it all up and played with its corpse. Is that so wrong? If you still find this objectionable, please post negative comments below and don't forget to include your e-mail address so that I can call you a pussy in a more personal manner. Thank you. -Andreas)
I should caution everyone that there are going to be some really gross photos down below and that you should all proceed at your own discretion. Also, this is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to taxidermy. This is going to be kind of a sample of what you might expect, or a first step in case you were inclined to want to cut open an animal anyways. I have no special expertise in the subject and the real guiding force behind our fun evening was Brook, who happened to take a taxidermy course at Paxton Gate, an awesome taxidermy-themed store on Valencia Street here in San Francisco. I would caution you, if you do plan on following the advice I give you here, to be very careful and as sanitary as possible. Don't cut up anything you find in the gutter because you may get AIDS. And not HIV either. You'll get full-blown AIDS, guaranteed. That being said, though, why not just dive right the fuck in if you're curious about something? Figure it out.
Okay, here goes: Step one is to find a dead animal. Or kill one, but I leave that up to you. We found this one in Eric and Brook's kitchen. It had just died and was still warm. It couldn't have worked out any better. As soon as we found it, Brook said, "Let's taxidermy it! I've got a kit!" and we got right down to it. Remember, start on a small scale. Mice seem to be good, but don't go too small. This little sucker was about the size of a small bottle of aspirin or a fat dude's thumb.
After you procure a dead animal you'll want to arrange your work area. Start with a clean table and cover it with old newspaper. This isn't to catch any spattering blood (there isn't any), it's just to keep any errant germs from contaminating your house.
I wonder if he's looking forward to The Devil Wears Prada as much as I am.
Here's a list of what you'll need to continue (Remember, this is a basic list written by a dude with no training. Brook gave me a crash course, but she was even kind of rusty at parts.):
-A scalpel. Make sure it's really, really sharp. Lacking a scalpel, I guess you could probably use a new razorblade, but the scalpel is nice because of the handle. No utility knives. Our scalpel was really dull, which was maybe the biggest impediment of the evening.
-A sharp pair of scissors that you're not ever going to use for trimming your nails or anything like that ever again.
-A bunch of cotton balls or cotton wadding to stuff the mouse with.
-Approximately a couple of feet of really thin wire (but not too thin).
-Maybe some cardboard.
-Lots of disposable rubber gloves.
-A sturdy sewing needle and thick-ish thread.
-Borax! Trust me, you'll need a bunch of this.
That's about it as far as supplies go. If you're averse to bad smells, you may want to get some Vics Vapo-rub and put a smidgen under your nose to keep the smells away. Maybe I should warn you at this point: There will be unpleasant smells, regardless of how newly-dead your subject is. That's just biology. We're all made up of unpleasant stuff on the inside and it never smells good. If you've ever smelled putrefaction, you know the odor is unmistakable. It's a sickly-sweet smell that's almost tangible. It doesn't just go up your nose either; it insinuates itself into the back of your throat and your palette. It sits there for a long time, too. Once you've smelled it and know what it is, you'll realize that you've smelled a rotting mouse a million times before-every time you've walked into an old apartment building or a barn. It's unmistakable and it stays with you for hours. It comes to you like a flashback days later even and there's nothing you can do about it. I forced myself to smoke about 5 cigarettes after we sewed this little bastard back together but that didn't help at all. Seriously, just a word of caution. It smells terrible. That's why you need the borax. The smell, though, will haunt you forever. It's the smell of our own mortality.
Next, lay your victim out on the newspaper and get an idea of how much cotton you'll need to stuff him up. Keep in mind two things: mouse pelts will stretch a great deal, and cotton can be wadded up and made really dense. Wad up a bunch of cotton approximately the size of the mouse and then add a bit more for good measure. You'll need two main parts-the body mass and the skull.
Once you've figured out the right amount of stuffing, wrap each piece up with some of the wire. What you're doing is making a crude armature. The wire wrapping will act as a replacement skeleton for this little dude. Don't get too crazy with the wire, though. A little goes a long way.
Try to have fun with it, okay? Remember to laugh a little. It eases the tension that accompanies doing something smelly and gross.
Here's Brook comparing body and skull masses.
Now Brook is showing me where to make the first incision. If you're going to back out, now is your last chance. This is when you make the insides come outside.
The first incision should start at the base of the skull, between the shoulder blades, and continue down for about an inch or so. If your blade is sharp, you'll have no problem cutting in. Be careful, though, so that you don't squish the internal organ sack. If done properly, there won't be any blood and there will be minimal grossness.
The pelt actually comes away from the muscle mass (fascia) quite easily. Be careful, though. Once you've made your incision, you can even work the scissors in there a little bit but it's not necessary.
This is what it should look like after you've made a nice incision and started (carefully) removing the pelt. You may need to use your pinkies depending on how small your subject is, but the basic maneuver here is to sort of peel the pelt away from the innards with your thumb and forefinger. If the pelt sticks at places you'll want to use your sharp scalpel to aid in the removal. As you pull on the pelt, gently cut at the fascia with a slight sawing motion until you can more easily peel the pelt back.
You're off to a good start! Keep it up, champ!
If you're anything like me, then you can get kind of creeped out by dead things. I don't know how everyone's specific phobias manifest themselves, but I'm always afraid that dead things are going to come back to life and be pissed at me for something. At this point in the procedure I started getting the feeling that the mouse might just wake up and bite the fuck out of me for screwing with it. I know it's an irrational fear but I'm also afraid of lake monsters, so give me a break okay?
This is now really the point of no return. You're about to make a mouse pillowcase. Stick with it and it'll all be over soon enough (the whole process takes about 90 minutes).
Now is the time when your supply of borax is going to come in quite handy. Borax is basically detergent. Its chemical name is sodium borate and it's used in a vast number of commercial applications, ranging from cleaning to welding to killing insects. You can get it at the store. Borax is invaluable in our little taxidermy experiment because it not only helps to dry and preserve the pelt, but also absorbs the unpleasant odor of putrefaction.
Anytime the mouse corpse starts to smell badly, just sprinkle some borax liberally onto any exposed flesh. Go on, don't be stingy with it. Just don't confuse it with sugar or salt.
Keep peeling the pelt back. Look! There's the organs, all protected by the little ribcage. Notice the complete lack of bloodiness. Right here at this point is when I started to act all clinical about it. I'd be like, "Nurse, hand me my scalpel!" and "More borax, please." It started to take on the mood of a science experiment and not some dumb kids cutting up a mouse in the kitchen. I felt like Mr. Wizard!
Okay, I'll level with you. There are at least two more totally gross parts that you have to get past. This is one of them. Brook informed me that because of the lack of meat surrounding the mouse's legs that it's perfectly acceptable to just leave the leg bones in there, just the way you found them. The catch, though, is that you have to sever all four joints where the leg bones connect to the rest of the body. When you've peeled the pelt back to expose these joints and you can't peel any further, you'll have to work the joints as far out into the open as possible. Do this by taking hold of each leg, one at a time, and pushing it slightly into the body as if you're turning the arm of your sweater inside out after doing the laundry.
When the joint is exposed, you can cut through it with the scalpel or the scissors. My preference was the scissors because of the satisfying snap as the cartilage and tendons and bones were severed.
Once all four leg joints are snipped clean, you've got the majority of the mouse skinned. The only two areas left to deal with are the tail and the head. The tail comes next. This is a little tricky since the tailbones need to be severed from the rest of the skeleton just like the legs, only the tail is much more fragile. Once you snip the tailbones, the tail's connection to the pelt becomes very fragile and tentative. So be careful, okay?
Doesn't it look crazy? It's like the mouse is wearing one of those Slim Goodbody jumpsuits. Remember that guy? What was so educational about some guy prancing around in an internal organ bodysuit? Remember Gary Gnu? (If you do, you're old.)
Now all that's left to do is the head. Keep sprinkling borax (although your nose will have given you this advice already). The head is a bit tricky, though. But I have confidence in you, so rejoice in the fact that you're totally almost finished! Ever wonder what happens when someone gets their eye poked out? Well, you're about to find out.
Even more cautiously than before, peel the pelt away from the skull. You'll be amazed at how fragile everything is. In fact, if cutting up a mouse teaches you nothing else it'll teach you all about the fragility of life. We're all here one minute and gone the next. Death lives with us all. Why, you could wake up dead tomorrow. Just like that. Just something to think about. In Latin, this is called a Memento Mori.
When you get to the base of the ears, carefully cut through the cartilage and free the ears from the skull and fascia. Be gentle, okay? When you get to the eyes, things may become kind of gross depending on how skilled you are with a knife. I'm awesome at handling knives, so expect that your experience will go slightly less smoothly than mine did.
Oh yeah, I guess this whole process is called degloving. Isn't that a weird word for skinning an animal? Anyhow, as you peel the pelt away from the skull it will stick around the eyes. Simply take your (sharp, I can't emphasize this enough. Have you ever shaved with a dull razor? Isn't that the worst?) scalpel and trim away any connecting tissue surrounding the eyes. Then look into the mouse's eyes. See how black and lifeless they are? It's like staring into an abyss. They almost seem to look back into your own eyes with a frightening gaze that is at once hollow and piercing. Don't be scared. Instead take this moment to bond with the mouse you've just degloved. Hold it close, right up to your face. See all the weird shit going on? All the intricate and fragile systems that have to work in complete harmony in order to support life? Now imagine that…TIMES A MILLION. That's what's going on inside you right now. Just imagine if the slightest little thing didn't go right? Then realize that we're all wonderful miracles!
Now, if you were curious a minute ago about poking an eye out…go for it. Just stab that little fucker right in the eye if you feel like it. Yeah, I know. Eewwww. Borax helps. Oh yeah, if it's not obvious by now-you should be wearing latex gloves.
Hey, will you look at that?!!? You just turned a mouse inside out! Good for you. There's just one final thing left to do in order to fully separate the inside of the mouse from its pelt and make a complete mouse pillowcase. And that is the Twist and Pop. Sounds cool, doesn't it? It's not. In fact, it's the grossest part of this whole endeavor. The final thing connecting the innards and the outtards is the nose. And guess what? You can't cut it; you can't pull it. You have to twist it off.
Here's where you need to have not only some guts but an iron stomach too. In one hand you'll want to take the innards, holding the skull carefully, and in the other you'll take the pelt, holding it firmly as closely to the nose as possible. Ready? Now with a fair degree of strength in your fingertips…twist it apart. You'll hear a snap, a pop perhaps, and then you'll pull your hands apart like a magician flourishing a magic handkerchief after a trick and-viola!-you pulled a mouse out of a mouse! Congratulations!
Thank god that's over with.
Now comes the easy part. If you've ever sewed a pillow (I did in Home Ec. in 6th grade), you know the basics of finishing this all up. Turn the pelt back right-side-out.
Get your armature handy. Cut four lengths of wire (one for each leg), approximately 6 or 7 inches long. Pull four small pieces of cotton wadding apart. Now, one at a time, push the legs up so that about a half-inch of leg bone sticks through to the interior of the pelt. Wrap some cotton wadding around the bone so that it resembles a Q-Tip. Then fasten the cotton to the bone by liberally wrapping it with wire. Leave about two inches of wire free coming off the end of the bone so that you can attach each leg to the central armature.
If only you were really little, then you could be the proud owner of a slightly-used mouse costume!
Oh yeah, since we did this all so spur-of-the-moment (and while drinking rum!), we were missing a key ingredient: fake eyes! You can get those at any reputable taxidermy store (such as Paxton Gate). We just decided to leave the eyes open so that the cotton would show through and look really creepy.
Once each leg is wrapped up and re-inserted into the body you're ready to stuff the pelt. Start with the head. Notice how stretchy the pelt is? Filling the head with the cotton ball armature is kind of like when a lady gives birth. You don't think it's going to be able to stretch to accommodate all that girth, but it does. Just go slowly, okay people? Don't manhandle it.
Next add the main armature. Again, the pelt is pretty resilient and will stretch to accommodate the cotton and wire, but don't rip it by trying to stuff it too full.
Once the armature is in place, get your needle and thread in hand and commence sewing the little guy up. The best way to stitch the pelt is by starting on the inside and looping the thread over to the opposite side's outside. Get it? Like a football stitch maybe. You don't want there the be too much of a visible seam.
Keep stitching, pulling the thread taut very carefully to avoid ripping the pelt. Once he's sewn up you're finished! Well done!
Now you can either leave your mouse as is, or, like we did, you can use some pins to attach him to a piece of cardboard in a pose. The armature isn't all that bendable, so crazy ninja poses won't work too well. Keep it simple. If you're good at sewing you could make a little outfit maybe. Then you'll want to let your new pet dry out for a couple of days. Preferably somewhere in the shade outdoors. After a couple of days you'll have a thing of beauty forever, perfect for displaying in your kitchen or bathroom or on your nightstand!
Remember to clean up thoroughly. Wash your hands a lot and don't just leave the innards in your kitchen trashcan. Instead, recycle them by making a tiny little fire and spit roasting the meat for a tasty barbecue for some of San Francisco's many indigent crust punks and/or hippies. They never turn down a free meal! But not hoboes though. They have more dignity than that. While you're out there, try taking a hobo out to lunch and asking him about his life. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two. And isn't that what it's all about? Brotherhood? Camaraderie? Love and understanding?
Hey, thanks for sticking around. Good luck, campers... and now a couple photos from my trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium that happened before we cut open the mouse earlier in the day to help you to feel normal again.
Eric Jones called me up and invited me to accompany him and the Gossard sisters, Brook and Casey, to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Since I'd never been, and the fact that roadtrips are awesome, I packed my man-purse and hopped in Eric's vintage Dodge van for the ride.
Go to the aquarium if at all possible. It's wonderful. You'll get to come into really close contact with hordes and hordes of tourists, all of whom are pointing their digital cameras at the fish and screaming ooohhhh!! and aaahhh!!! every two seconds. It's really quite breathtaking. There are also tons of little kids screaming their stupid fucking heads off about how awesome sharks are (and it's true, sharks are awesome! But I just can't stand to be around so many kids. One time I made a shirt that said "children are faggots" on it and everyone was hating on me).
Here's one of the hammerheads. I know in my heart that the Good Lord intended these majestic animals for something great, such as helping Noah nail the final planks into his Ark with their weird fucking heads. How could "evolution" ever come up with something so crazy
Seriously though, the aquarium was awesome. Especially so the jellyfish exhibit.
Walking into the room you get the sense of being contained in a giant trippy lava lamp. I only wish I'd brought Hightower with me so they could have gotten me high before walking in there.
The best feature of the aquarium by far is their assortment of colossal tanks that are practically miniature ecosystems. You can press your face right up to the glass and pretend that the sharks are coming right up to you and then get really embarrassed when you scream a little because you got scared because for just a second you forgot that you weren't actually under water.
No go and find a dead mouse to cut up!
Comments
///////// Damn, wasn't expecting to see that today. Please no more. Written by Can't deal with the mouse thin on 2006-07-12 15:20:51
///////// WTF Written by Sampson on 2006-07-12 15:43:09
///////// oh lord. very informative!
sea turtles next? Written by :-F on 2006-07-12 15:43:54
///////// thats fucked Written by maseman on 2006-07-12 15:47:06
///////// i'm really enjoying the hat/facial hair/haircut situation on andreas. Written by nein on 2006-07-12 16:05:28
///////// very good write up. i expect a lot of hippy attacks in the very near future... Written by Max on 2006-07-12 16:18:02
///////// this is amazing. completely made my day and i totally want to do it although your paragraph on the smells made me nervous. who thinks of things like this??? amazing. Written by danielle on 2006-07-12 16:18:54
///////// do you have anymore of those "children are faggots shirts," i hate those little dumb bastards Written by chvostal on 2006-07-12 16:23:16
///////// children are faggots?!?!
I just peed myself.. that's extra classic.
oh yeah.. nice work on the mouse too. Written by jizzle on 2006-07-12 16:28:58
///////// In a way, isn't this more messed up than trophy hunting? I mean, at least they're setting out to do that shit.
Who sees a dead mouse and thinks to give taxidermy a spin? Actually, I might have to meet you now that I think of it.
Sheeeit. Written by on 2006-07-12 16:33:19
/////////
YOu should now put it in Fermaldahyde!!!!! Written by jesseedwards.net on 2006-07-12 16:40:38
///////// That is really, really fucked up and totally disgusting. I don't care if you found that thing dead- you are totally sick in the head. Rot in hell. Written by Degan the Vegan on 2006-07-12 17:07:01
///////// I can't believe I made it through the whole thing! Im the kid that wouldnt dissect a frog in HS. Im not a vegetarian anymore, and I really like aquariums, though. This post took a wild ride and ended nicely! Great Stuff! Written by haveboard on 2006-07-12 17:11:31
///////// "rot in hell"... hahahaha. what a goof.
Leonardo da Vinci studied anatomy as an art form. check it Written by sarah on 2006-07-12 17:17:46
///////// nuh. i worked with a guy that his brother called him in the middle of work to tell him there's a deer that just got hit by a car and he was gonna finish it off . But, needed his brother's truck to load the carcess to homemade butcher the deer with a f#cking chainsaw. best part was . I quoted. "damn, now I have meat to feed my family for the winter." so. as long nature take yo` ass out. nature can do the f@ck it want with it.
///////// ha! let's go to the Wharf on Sunday, you wear yr "Children are faggots" tshirt and i'll wear my "i totally hate jazz" tshirt and see who makes more friends faster.
did you save the mouse's skull? if you boil it, you'd have a nice companion for his skin. poor lil guy. Written by z* on 2006-07-12 18:05:48
///////// Imagine how they do it with a grizzly. Friggin insane. O ya and leave turtles out of it theyre my best friends mouses bug people and leave shit all over the place but turtles have never harmed anyone. Written by Benito on 2006-07-12 18:55:16
///////// I have heard over and over that when girls meet Andreas they get crushes on him, but after this post I doubt he will be able to fend off the luh-zadies with even the biggest stick. Except for the vegans of course. Written by tbone on 2006-07-12 19:06:18
///////// That was amazing Written by Nolan on 2006-07-12 20:50:26
///////// Me parece que sois unos putos gilipollas que vais de graciosos… pero por que mierdas habeis jodido al pobre raton… por que no le sacais los organos a vuestro padre y lo cogais del salon como si fuese un crucifijo…
Bastardos Written by David Catalan on 2006-07-12 23:47:38
///////// mumsfillibabba! Written by on 2006-07-13 00:16:57
///////// is bastardos a real word? awesome. Written by whitey on 2006-07-13 00:43:02
///////// Hello, I like your web site but it has limits. I think that it's anything. I'm completely against the taxidermy. Me which have the practice to see canvas the and different ones, I'm very disappointed. Indeed, even if it means to make a tutorial, made in one on painting and an artistic technique, but not on a poor mouse. Would I ask you the question with back, how take it if one you stuff after your death ? On those, with soon. Brice Written by Brice on 2006-07-13 01:44:04
///////// ........ imagine trying to taxidermy a turtle.... that would be a fucker of a job. squirrels would be good tho.
thanks mr andreas.
Written by on 2006-07-13 03:09:23
///////// I was going to donate a few bucks to fecal, but not anymore. This is a hipsters way to shock people, but it's not shocking, just dumb and gross. You are all tools. How can you not eat meat and think this is ok? Written by you are all hipster tools who on 2006-07-13 06:27:07
///////// hahaha, monterrey's jellyfish pool flashback and David Catalan out-of-this-world-blindness make me happy sell your dead mouses thru http://www.umbrellamarket.com/ and the children/faggot Tshirts too (they're already totally in) Written by Tristan on 2006-07-13 07:50:58
///////// I just went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium too! totally kicked ass. Written by Noah on 2006-07-13 08:50:08
///////// nice insertion of cottom after such painful process... awesome even though the poor little mice doesnt feel anything...
///////// This lady does not find this attractive...ew Written by on 2006-07-13 09:57:10
///////// you people are awesome! this wasn't meant to be "attractive" or "shocking." it's simply one of those things that someone might find, oh i don't know, "interesting. yeah, it was gross. but dumb? dumb is not being curious about things. just please, whatever you do, don't withhold your generous donations to the fecal because of me, Y.A.A.H.T. and as far as not eating meat while still being okay with taxidermy, i never claimed to not be a hypocrite.
///////// this art rocks Written by nicholas venaglia on 2006-07-13 15:47:06
///////// PPP-lease DaVinci? He was a REALLY fucked up man- really fucked up. Seriously- did you know that? He did it with liitle boys- to me that's even worse than pulling apart mice for fun. Mona Lisa was a MAN! A MAN! My god-- the scupture of David was anatomically impossible- did you see his ASS? PS- I don't even eat honey- the poor little BEES! Oh, but I bet you'd disect that too. Sickos. Written by Degan the Vegan on 2006-07-13 21:41:49
///////// hey people the mouse is dead which means it can't feel it's body being torn apart and stuffed with cotton. it doesn't care that it doesn't have fake eyes oh yeah and did you read the part where he didn't even kill it... just found it. he's not really promoting killing animals to do this either. i don't understand what the big deal is - oh no, it's gross and taxidermy is something most people don't even admit to doing... who cares. bodies are awesome. it's even more awesome when they are dead and you have the chance to explore them like this!! it's like modern day mummification without the ceremonies and sacrifices and fear of kings coming back to spite you because you didn't put enough gold in their tomb!! yeah!! Written by danielle on 2006-07-14 02:52:14
///////// I lost one of them rodents in my butt once. It took weeks for it to come back out. I would have stuffed it had I known how to do it earler. Thanks fecalface. Written by john3:16 on 2006-07-14 03:14:54
///////// Not funny, not interesting, just plain stupid.
Disappointed with FF. Written by nico on 2006-07-14 04:15:52
///////// Why didn't you taxidermy that big fucking rat that you caught in the trap at the squat Trolf? That would have been radder than little Speedy Gonzalez. I can also vouch for your nonhipsterness. You quit wearing a white belt long ago. Word. Written by Boombie 357 on 2006-07-14 07:48:12
///////// Next up: female circumcision in the back of Eric's van. No anaesthesia, just tons of booze. After that, sloshball in the park. Why not? Written by stuffit on 2006-07-14 14:37:05
///////// andreas, i thought this blog was awesome! out of all the blogs i have read on fecalface, this one has to be one of my favourites. It was educational and a masterpiece in its own right. The wee mouse was dead, it never felt anything. I believe that the mouse will be seen as a god in mouse land. He will live on forever! i might even consider doing it when my cat dies. jokin. anyway, lovin this blog-its wicked good. Written by steve o on 2006-07-14 16:13:50
///////// YESYES Written by bugbee on 2006-07-14 16:27:45
///////// Last time I checked, a person could love animals AND be comfortable with mortality. Am I wrong? Get regular, people!
This was fascinating and informative. More like this please! Written by on 2006-07-14 18:12:32
///////// Fuck the mouse........let's stuff some artists! Written by R2D4 on 2006-07-14 20:47:08
///////// awesome, but not as awesome as this: http://www.roguetaxidermy.com/gallery.php
i was surprised at the shock of people on here, then i realized how many retards i went to art school with and wasn't surprised anymore.
Written by brian on 2006-07-15 02:12:11
///////// Poor litle bastard Written by Miki on 2006-07-15 10:49:23
///////// I teach biology in a highschool, never stuffed a mouse, but found this blog and the comments very amusing. It is bound to go down in history as a classic that everybody will remember many years from now Written by Jaime on 2006-07-15 12:58:17
///////// THIS WAS JUST LOVELY.
Written by MIPPY. on 2006-07-15 14:08:21
///////// i think this is going to be the most entertaining tutorial i've ever read!!....i have to pack but i can wait to come back to it...both for the info and for the comments...sorry if i offended anyone...what can i say....contreversy...is....entertaining.. Written by jackbandit on 2006-07-15 14:11:44
///////// That was gross, but cool and educational at the same time. I had no idea how people did that. Stuff some faggot children next. Written by Rob on 2006-07-15 15:32:17
///////// I rescued a taxidermy from a hotel I worked at when they were cleaning out some old store rooms. (They wanted to throw it in the bin!). It was a huge African Water Buck or something in great condition. From horn tip to horn tip was about 1.5 metres. This one had some plaster pumped into it I think, and some nice fake glass eyes.
Your blog was interesting. I think the mouse would be flattered that someone found it worth immortalizing.
(After a year I sold the Water buck to Yok’s dad and the cash bought me a return plane ticket from Perth to Melbourne)
Written by Joe HAgar on 2006-07-15 16:11:02
///////// amazing diy shit. everything bad said about this is perverted morality, nietszche is rolling in his grave, with syphilis. Written by happenis on 2006-07-15 17:10:45
///////// these comments made my day. thankyou fecal face. Written by BSD on 2006-07-15 18:15:13
///////// michelangelo sculpted the david Written by on 2006-07-15 19:51:21
///////// why the mouse ? why not stuff a human ? that will be at least more creative and original...
damn motherfuckers Written by on 2006-07-16 17:51:13
///////// by the way , FUCK THAT SHIT ¨smile to make it less gross¨have fun with it´ what a hypocrite
i cant believe this psychopatism Written by on 2006-07-16 17:53:48
///////// This is very disrespectful. R.I.P. Written by JLK on 2006-07-16 18:28:57
///////// Ahhhhh that's so gross.
It was entertaining tho. I'm glad you guys had fun,
You should totally make it a hood ornament. Written by Daniel on 2006-07-16 18:57:11
///////// does this process also work with children? just wondering. Written by moistcupcakes on 2006-07-16 21:38:49
///////// Lame Mission Kids From wiscionsin Playin with dead rats Written by on 2006-07-16 21:39:19
///////// I thought taxidermy had something to do with taxes? Written by Bobby D on 2006-07-17 00:42:19
///////// man purse? Written by on 2006-07-17 10:11:55
///////// "lame mission kids from wisconsin?" everybody's from somewhere, right? people sure got all galvanized about this posting. i think it's funny for idiots to get upset about this rather than getting mad about ACTUAL BAD THINGS such as suicide bombings and the war in lebanon that's going on right this minute. this, i guess, is moral relativism at its finest. reading the comments is like a survey in urban anthropology. it's totally hilarious to read all these self-righteous comments from dimwits. also, "psychopatism" is not a word. thanks fecal. Written by on 2006-07-17 19:00:06
///////// Children ARE faggots, and some of them even found the time to respond to your blog. I think what some of you're non-fans were expecting was that you bury the mouse in a proper Christian (Republican American) fashion, like I'm sure they would do if given the chance. Alas dead mice are extremelly hard to come by so they may never get the opportunity. I'm not really sure what the young faggots found disrespectful about it though. They probably hate organ donors too. Are you stoked that you've been compared to Da Vinci and Michael Angelo? Written by Taxidermy a Jellyfish on 2006-07-17 20:57:25
///////// That is great bullshit! What a bummer, fecal face! Written by Sebastian on 2006-07-18 00:10:09
///////// the worst article ever on your site. this has nothing to do with art or design...? may be good for shockin people; but where s the point? i m really disappointed; no visitor on this site needs to know how to stuff a mouse at all...?!...
Written by ANdi on 2006-07-18 05:48:12
///////// Amazing! We just taxidermied a beetle a minute ago (with help from this tutorial), It sits in my windowsill and looks sweet, It has friends too. Written by straightouttadc on 2006-07-18 07:07:57
///////// these comments are just as shallow as your pity for a dead rodent. seriously, look around you and sympathize with something actually worth sympathy and not jeopardize donations to this amazing site because of a really good blog. this typical hipster shit pisses me off; always a need to make things grander than they really are.
quit being emo. Written by Max...again on 2006-07-18 08:49:11
///////// i kinda like it. taxadermy is a legit form of something, taxedermy i guess. i didnt know you pretty much just tear out the guts and stuff cotton in there, sweet! Written by critic on 2006-07-18 10:00:11
///////// Why are people always talking shit on all the tutorials? Even if you don't agree, there has to be at least something positive you can take away from it. I'm not really interested in taxidermy but it's still kind of interesting to know how it's done, and I've been veg for over 10 years! The mouse was dead already! btw, what's with all the name calling, folks? Written by on 2006-07-18 11:16:35
///////// not something i expected to see on here, but found it a really interesting read. i like how whenever there is something that gets under people's skins (pun COMPLETELY intended) on message boards, people get all stupid with one another. hey people getting stupid with one another: you're being really nerdy. Written by chris on 2006-07-18 22:13:03
///////// gross andreas. i'm not all that sensitive when it comes to blood and gutts but i just ate lunch. BARF! Written by Lindsay on 2006-07-19 13:01:05
///////// Inspiring and well written.. Funny how our grandparents used to do this on a daily basis just to survive in the ghetto. Freaking tough as shoe leather they are. Nice getting back in touch with my roots as a carnivorous fur monger... Thanks.. Written by Eric on 2006-07-19 14:51:24
///////// animals are delicous Written by on 2006-07-19 14:55:42
///////// Why do people think that when you say something that they don’t agree with that you’re trying to be shocking? Can you imagine a world beyond your little one where people have different interests and sensibilities than you do? This one of the best tutorials I have seen on this site.
For the person who said no visitor to Fecal Face needs to know this sort of thing. What’s wrong with a little knowledge even if you are never going to need it?
Written by The most hated artist in San F on 2006-07-20 01:58:08
///////// i know where to find a mouse at this very moment. good show indeed. Written by burneyblob on 2006-07-20 12:08:13
///////// andreas, dude...wow. i Written by nishat on 2006-07-21 12:56:04
///////// yeah damn kids. glad i never was one. Written by joobi doobie doobi wop on 2006-07-21 23:52:30
///////// btw calm down peoples! There really weren't that many hippy posts. p.s. I found the tutorial kinda interesing but it was pretty much just like dissecting a mouse. (s'alright with mousies just keep it away from the mooses who are needed living where they look cool. mooseses. meece?) And it didn't look that great at the end. I think they should bleach it and then dye it funky colours! Written by joobie doo wop on 2006-07-22 00:00:02
///////// People have problems with taxidermy on an animal but have no problem with embalming a human? Get real it's the same thing but with liquid, dick.
Written by kri on 2006-07-22 03:31:01
///////// i dont know if i amazed or sick either way thats cool!!!!! Written by on 2006-07-24 03:05:20
///////// Nice one Andreas. Written by Schmale on 2006-07-24 08:55:46
///////// we're living in this society where every single person is a psychopath... with thousand of billions of murders every second , you cannot be surprised when somebody goes and kill, when somebody rape a woman or a little child without any remorse. if they are totally confortable living with the reality of thousands of billions of non human animals being raped, killed, dismembered, kidnapped and exhibit this way with all naturalness, what else is left ? non human animals have a nervous sistem as us, that means they feel and have interests, their own interests, and as me and you they dont want to end this way, ridiculized as a joke, PSYCHOPATISM Written by a a on 2006-07-25 18:48:39
///////// seriously, "psychopatism" is still not a word no matter how much you hippies want it to be. also, neither is "ridiculized," although it actually sounds pretty cool when you say it out loud. "re-DICK-yew-lyzed" Written by on 2006-07-26 13:13:04
///////// Rock the fuck on.
Gross, but amazing. Written by woodshed on 2006-07-28 07:57:03
///////// Hey Brooklyn Marie do you stuff dogs too? -Valerie Written by on 2006-07-28 09:24:20
///////// I hope you guys used some sort of preservative or something because that shit is going to start to smell something awful. Written by on 2006-07-28 18:06:44
///////// SIKO!! Written by on 2006-08-01 01:43:27
///////// ...lets try this method on a human. Written by i have a little penis on 2006-08-01 17:04:16
///////// very informative, and then the opposite later . you can make me laugh... its an old stigmatized art like you said. is that what facinates me or am i a sicko like the good doctor. i like the words! Written by squidley royale on 2006-08-03 00:09:46
///////// HEY YOU FUCKIN SICK BASTARD COME TO EAST LOS ANGELES AND DO THAT SHIT INFRONT OF ME AND ILL SKIN YOU ....CUNT FACE BASTARD HERES MY E-MAIL YOU CUNT BASTARD
FUCK YOU JEW Written by CAMERON on 2006-08-03 11:59:29
///////// i had some mice in my house in georgia. i was going to set some traps (a shovel i bought at walmart YEAH WALMART) but one morning i walked out into the kitchen to find them sitting in a pan (not being cooked) eating what was left of whatever i cooked in it, and found them far too adorable to bludgeon. taxidermying a mouse is not disrespectul, because i was taught that you have to earn respect and mice are too self involved to command that sort of feeling from a person. they just ate parts of my wall, stole my dog's food, and shit everywhere. i commend your drunken initiative in cutting one apart (post-mortum mind you, you sniveling pansies) in your drunken glee. people may (nay, do) complain about this not being art, but where are your tears when trippe posts photos about being drunk and riding his bike? is that art, or is that "what i did today, i mean whatever." i appreciate this blog because i say less artsy, more fartsy. Written by art is gay on 2006-08-03 12:14:17
///////// To the Complainers: You suburban-bred squeemish artpussies live in a make-believe vegan world of naugahyde bunnies, unicorns and tofutti. The world outside your prism-adorned Victorian 'Pobre' Mission flat is a fucking living hell for many creatures here. Animals have NO mercy - look it up, sensitve beings.
Congrats on 125 years without being disemboweled and stuffed, Fufanu Fakir daut khaam....a warm place for doe-eyed innocentes to fawn over stags.
K.U.K. forever, my little dears.....run along and play. Written by on 2006-08-03 13:01:11
///////// you blow my mind Written by ellen on 2006-08-03 22:00:15
///////// thank you. i like taxidermy and mice so much. this is very incredible. here is a mouse i know watching the sunset.
///////// This world is fucked up, no doubt we're going anywhere with people like you who laughs at everything, have no respect, no compassion, no brains, nothing...very sad. Written by aliena on 2006-08-09 16:55:47
///////// Yeah, the mouse tihng's a little weird, but why aren't more people attacking their pedantic hipster fashion sense?
Way to go, guys! You look exactly like every other DIY douchebag in my town. Written by Jimmy Changa on 2006-08-09 20:16:31
///////// and sadly, no life either aliena. lighten up for fuck's sake.
the mouse is dead. no more. jesus christ. Written by on 2006-08-09 21:43:42
///////// yeah looks great I make mummies my first was also a mouse now I made bat and a couple of crow feet
yeay Written by nickies"s on 2006-08-10 13:54:12
///////// stuff your penis, is dead like that mice...
vageenadispenser.tk Written by vageenadispenser on 2006-08-11 02:54:50
///////// What a coincedence. I just asked my 10 year old son if he wanted to try to help me try to stuff the little mouse our cat Big Randy brought home. I'll show this to him later and maybe he will be inspired or sickened. I'm hoping for inspiration. Thanks for the freaky fun instructions. Written by Cher-o on 2006-08-11 15:56:22
///////// WHAT YOU DID IS NOT ONLY WRONG, IT IS DISGUSTING. YOU ARE A SICK, SICK HUMAN BEING.
jk i thought it was really funny and pretty interesting even though i felt queasy.
i like bacon. Written by Cassandra on 2006-08-16 14:11:45
///////// i love doing things I have never done before.[B]null Written by kev on 2006-08-18 20:45:27
///////// that reminded me of highschool biology class. we had to open up a giant rat and then a fetal pig. all in the name of science, of course. i was very fond of dissections. the bone snapping thing is gross but we did that too because it was the only to keep the opening open.
with that said. i couldn't finish eating the plum i was enjoying.. too bad... Written by lils on 2006-08-20 15:18:52
///////// Hey i am one of those animal rights people and i have to say my peace. As long as you did not kill that cute little mouse or torture it when it was still alive, you are O.K. in doing what you did. Your slide show was very informative and your writing is entertaining. Written by on 2006-08-20 22:52:55
///////// i was doing same thing to dead animals when i was 10-13. but wtf Written by but you look older on 2006-08-22 14:35:40
///////// A wonderful piece. Lovely. Written by el on 2006-08-23 19:19:13
///////// you're not going to believe this, but I did the same thing earlier this year! except I didn't have a friend with a class under his belt, so I just got a book from the library and some road kill and then I went to an abandoned house and started skinning shit. I wish I had been to that shop when I was in san francisco. Written by rachael on 2006-08-24 21:41:42
///////// you are all fucked up. "a wonderful piece. Lovely" you're a fucking psycho. WEIRD ASS PEOPLE. Written by YOU'RE ALL DUMB CUNTS on 2006-08-24 23:14:00
///////// anyone who doesnt like the dead mouse or thinks its sick or mean or wtong is stupid Written by on 2006-08-25 12:21:38
///////// Don't pity the mouse...pity the people who think this kind of thing is entertaining and amusing. Written by on 2006-08-25 19:55:38
///////// i didnt read the blog.. just looked at the pics.. pretty gnarly.. i liked it. Written by red snapper on 2006-08-28 13:58:28
///////// Mice stuffers are freaks. The post about pitying the stuffer is true --however they are freaks and have no morals. Can't you find some way to help society without trash like this? Written by Tired of Losers Like You on 2006-08-28 14:15:06
///////// I liked the pose at the end. I think a nice touch would be some of those little plastic white eyes that you glue on with the rolly black pupil like the cookie monster has... Written by Chewy_Poofinger on 2006-09-12 14:56:49
///////// Life feeds on life, feeds on life, feeds on.
Nice work, it's nice to see someone approach an artform unapologetically and without hesitation. In the end, we're all road kill and could only hope for the same sort of attention as little Mr. Whiskers received.
Bravo. Written by springfish on 2006-09-12 15:34:40
///////// jan from germany
good job Written by on 2006-09-13 09:08:47
///////// thanks for the info dude. instead of just leaving the eye sockets blank though, i'd have used red sequins for that uber creepy effect. Written by jhwesto on 2006-09-13 14:29:33
///////// crazy!!! Written by nels on 2006-09-14 15:01:34
///////// May wild hoards of mice hunt and capture you, pin you down, and eat you alive. When you are dead I will dig up your body and suck out your fluids with a straw. Then I will put flashing red lights in your eye sockets, a swivel joint in your arm, and mount you in your parents front yard as a lawn ornament, so that you can wave at passing cars and greet your family as they come and go. You're laughin now, but we'll see how frickin amusing it is to your family and friends when someone fucks with your corpse for a few giggles. Written by furious friend of the furry, f on 2006-09-21 20:49:55
///////// Hey, if you guys can't get enough of dead mice being stuffed, look at the how-to at instructables. http://www.instructables.com/id/E1CWAHGNXLERIE31X4/?ALLSTEPS Written by Hippies Suck on 2006-09-24 09:38:26
///////// this shit is mad played. i did that years ago in high school with a squirrel that i shot with a bow and arrow in a city park by a christian preschool while that trenchcoat mafia shit was going down. seriously, my friend ebach taxidermied it. get original man - stop biting butterfield. lateskies Written by randy butterfield on 2006-09-25 17:19:46
///////// I'd say this amounts to nothing more than exploring your ability to get over the mental barriers of taxidermy. Oh happy day that you are exploring your brains. Maybe you should do something meaningful now.
PS nice spuds mackenzie shirt. You must be an OG budweiser drinker.. or something.
As for the "OMG YOU ARE SICK" comments above... I really dont know what to say actually. Hopefully this teaches your kids to play with dead things. Written by SQUEAK! on 2006-09-26 12:18:04
///////// YIKESSSS!!!!! Written by Fer VAi on 2006-09-27 16:11:57
///////// Very interesting, but I can't say the results were too impressive. I can totally relate to the fear of the creature you're dissecting/skinning suddenly returning to life to thrash you. When I was performing a cat dissection over the course of a few days (anatomy/physiology course) I would have nightmares about the cat suddenly opening its eyes and going completely psycho. Written by Chris on 2006-10-05 21:01:46
///////// Im vegan. But i still managed to laugh non stop at this. Written by CptainHitler on 2006-10-14 23:00:01
///////// Cool I like it I think this should be taught a Public Schools through out the US. Written by on 2006-10-18 18:33:27
///////// As fascinating as taxidermy may be, the comments this tutorial provoked were far more enjoyable. Written by William on 2006-10-18 21:03:47
///////// post of the year... hands down Written by godlovesugly on 2006-10-20 10:39:53
///////// I thought the concept was very good and hate that you got any negative feedback from dumb-assholes! Some folks just can't be happy about anything! pretty cools stuff, and you've got to have a very good hand to do such detail with a scalpel! Screw the ignorant bastards that don't like your posting. I dig it! : ) zz-mannull Written by on 2006-10-23 11:13:02
///////// I LOVED ALL THE COMMENTS ! THIS ARE THE BEST PART!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA biabranker from Brazil Written by on 2006-11-03 12:30:11
///////// why is everyone freaking out about a stuffed mouse, what about museums with skeletons and stuffed animals? It was very refreshing and inspiring to see this on this website, and yes, the comments are all amazing. So much angst. bwhaha Written by on 2006-11-29 04:48:35
///////// the one thing that everything should be guaranteed in life is dignity in death, and you just denied that mouse of it by desecrated its corpse by crucifying it to your chopping board. that shit is sick, seek help immediately. Written by ash brown on 2006-11-30 03:59:25
///////// FEARGRINNING: dead stuff shouldnt be amusin but it is cos we are all scared of death and laughin about it is one way to deal with it. When we die we will be similarly denied our dignity at one point either being opened up in a post mortem, ripped apart & donated to medicine, partially preserved for the funeral, trussed up for some bullshit church funeral of some religion we never gave a fuck about in life, whatever the case we will loose dignity at some point, tho maybe not on the internet. The people most feaked by this are probably the most freaked about death fullstop. When i die i'm gonna use my squillions of ££££'s to send my body round the world to all the places I havent had time to see, including east LA.
I'm comin to your town first, I'll bring the bagels and you bring the scalpel and cotton!! Written by no jews on you cammy! on 2006-12-02 14:23:22
///////// take that shit you tree-huggin bitches, that was some great shit! Written by on 2006-12-04 15:00:25
///////// ANDI says:
"no visitor on this site needs to know how to stuff a mouse at all.."
Says who, you sloshing bucket of come-for-brains? I FOUND this posting by Googling "taxidermy tutorial". I was LOOKING for it. Hence: I needed to know this exact information. Don't you feel stupid now? If not: Andi, honey, put down that strap-on crucifix and stop fucking your dog long enough to really think about it. Go on, think. There you go! NOW do you feel stupid for saying that YOU know better than ME the kind of information *I* need to find?
I may not dig the, uhh, questionable hipster fashion-sense either, and your final project's execution may leave a bit to be desired-- but hey, this was your first time! You'll get better later! And it was VERY informative. Thank you for the step-by-step. And the suggestion about borax.
(The outrage was also wildly entertaining. It is really amazing the kind of paragraphs people manage to write with their heads stuffed THAT far up their own asses.)
Also, I second the vote for red sequin eyes. But if you REALLY want to splurge on Mickey's sockets next time, go buy some designer hand-cast silicone doll eyeballs at http://www.dollsoom.com/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20021125011548 Mr Mouse, you'll thank me from beyond the grave. Written by Nina Zero on 2006-12-05 17:49:08
///////// >> no doubt we're going anywhere with people like you who laughs at everything,
Hey... *scratches head* ... Hey, why SHOULDN'T we laugh at everything? I don't get it. What is the alternative? Start crying, and never stop? How am I supposed to respond to life?
>> Maybe you should do something meaningful now.
Why does everything have to be "meaningful"? I bet your own blog has nothing more exciting than "woke up today, looks like rain, I have no girlfriend, blah blah blah".
Remember, kids: If you have to ask what it is, it's Art. Written by malaria on 2006-12-05 17:59:07
///////// ive been a vegetarian for about 16 yrs, and this doesnt bother me one bit, i made a meat book out of a pork shoulder and the surrounding adipose tissue to get over my fear of working with dead animals, i smelled like bacon for two weeks it was horribly fucking disgusting, but there is a moral justification for using dead animals as curious objects, you are CREATING with death, not just shitting it out like a carnivore, you made something interesting you took the time... its ok, thanks for the taxidermy article. Written by birdneck on 2006-12-09 10:31:17
///////// I had a stuffed mouse once. (Swiped from a local Museum..Naughty) Then some moths go into him and eat the remaining fur / skin etc. All I had left was a mouse skull. Ohh poor poor Squeek... Written by on 2006-12-12 06:58:02
///////// that was fucking gross and it didnt even look good when finished.....ew Written by lauren on 2006-12-12 10:32:34
///////// You have a hell of a start in taxidermy, but you should always tan your hide or it wil turn into a rotted stinking mass of jello. You are a little fucked up, but so is the rest of the world----------------- a mouse, let me at that little bastard. Can't type gotta kill. Later Written by The Bear on 2006-12-17 17:32:30
///////// I believe enough Borax was applied to tan that small hide. A very informative lesson. Thank you for taking the time to show us this very basic taxidermy. It looks like it was a fun project. Looking forward to future articles. Written by on 2006-12-21 20:56:43
///////// /////////////////////// everyone is a baby feeling sorry for a mouse like it has feelings or something. Its not like they stuffed the mouse alive or something sick like that. it was already dead they didn't kill it. I don;t think i'll try it but it was neat. I tried ur tattoo article though and i got a sweet cross on my leg peace........... Written by on 2006-12-26 19:44:32
///////// I'm thinking of getting pregnant and sending you the baby. I need an address. Would a p.o. box work? Hmm. Written by waffles on 2007-01-03 14:43:37
///////// SOMEONE TOOK THE PAXTON GATE TAXIDERMY CLASS DIDN'T THEY........ Written by on 2007-01-04 09:34:39
///////// Wonderful pictures, even better writing! This would really allow someone to stuff their own animal up to squirrel size the very first time, as the techniques will certainly work, just use a LOT of borax, and know that it won't last forever. I am especially happy that you were unashamed of working whilst drinking rum, which no doubt helped with the smell as well as providing creative ooomph. And I happen to be a member of M.A.R.T., so that was funny! Keep up the fabulous work! Written by Cat Grey on 2007-01-06 20:07:48
///////// nothing disgusting about it, even if you've killed it. My cat is doin' them far worse and he don't even eat them, i think he do it just for the fun just as you did art fags, but the result of his artwork is far better than yours.
Next time, i hope you will show us how to stuff a children dress as mickey mouse.
Written by Paris-Bangkok on 2007-01-07 07:14:20
///////// This blog made me feel a lot less gross about trying to play hacky-sack with a dead squirrel. I'm glad I'm not the only one who plays with dead rodents! :D Written by RW on 2007-01-12 23:40:02
///////// that was so discustingly informative.I love science! Especialy when its perfomed on the kitchen table!! When I die you can taxidermy me if you want. Maybe not my whole body, but like an arm whould be cool. It would make a neat lamp or something. Just lemme know! but i'm not planning on dying anytime soon, sorry
Written by on 2007-01-21 09:36:07
///////// i really, really love you all. Written by greggandy on 2007-03-26 17:32:45
///////// I'm deffinitely going to try this. Written by Gimvaainl on 2007-04-04 20:02:21
///////// To all of those bitching... If you scroll *all* the way to the top, you'll see a Disclaimer. Did ya read it? You were forewarned. And don't play all righteous. If you had the time and patience to sit and read this entire page (which is a good bit of time. This good man types alot) and then go on to bitch about it, you're only as bad as you're claiming he is. Why don't you get off of your bleeding-heart holier-than-thou asses and do something productive with your time? Go chain yourself to a tree or cuddle a polar bear.
Don't get me wrong, I love animals, but complaining because someone did something to an already dead mouse (Dead as in died on it's own. No one poisoned or intentionally killed it) in order to feed his own (and other's) curiousity is just fucking assinine. If you're so fucking good, go do something real, because raising hell on a webpage isn't going to save the world, or even the mice. Written by Sporky on 2007-07-19 01:26:13
///////// This was a laugh riot! but seriously my condolences to the mouse's family and friends he will be missed... but! if they ever want to stop by and see him again they can! Written by Fecal Fan on 2007-10-01 07:24:04
///////// I love it. LOVE it. I found a dead DEAD skunk on the side of the road and took its skull and cleaned it out and I think its possibly the coolest thing I own now. next time I get a mouse in my house I think I'l stuff it. haha. what a fun experiment. Written by wednesday on 2007-10-29 15:31:44
///////// Kudos to anyone who does the same thing with a horse. Written by fjx on 2008-01-22 15:57:51
///////// i found a dead squirrel and did this with it it turned out so nicely too! i felt kindof like a creep but then again i've rescued at least six live animals this year and placed them in loving homes, so it was okay. just having some fun with an animal corpse. in a completely non sexual way, ew. i need to post pics they're brutal. Written by jessiwade on 2009-03-28 01:19:49
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///Brian Willmont Interview "Wasted youth, totally lost and really angry. I hung out downtown drinking beer, getting high, cheering on bum fights, and going to shows. I was probably one of the worst students in my high school but did great in art school, ha!"
///Damon Soule Interview We catch up with the Portland based artist as he prepares for Same Loud No opening May 7th at Fecal Face Dot Gallery.
///Aaron Johnson Studio Visit "Works that are visceral, beautiful and flamboyantly timely, which is saying a lot" Roberta Smith, The New York Times.
///RIPO Interview Now living in Spain but this street artist was raised in NYC. He's currently showing at No New Enemies in Brussels. Manuel Bello interviews.
///Catching up with Matt and Kim Since our last interview with Brooklyn's Matt and Kim was so much fun, we decided to catch up with them again as they came through San Francisco to promote their new album.
///Shawn Barber Interview He answers your questions and we visit his studio for a video interview.
///Paul Nudd Interview The celebrated Chicago artist creates nasty gurgling vomiting videos and worm/slug/pest drawings.
///Bay Area Graffiti An interview with Steve Rotman who, with Chris Brennan, put out a book on graffiti in the Bay Area published through Mark Batty. Dan Carlson interviews.
///Souther Salazar & Megan Whitmarsh We visit the Eagle Rock studio of Souther Salazar, Megan Whitmarsh, Carlos Ramos, Mark Todd, Esther Pearl Watson, Seonna Hong, and Martha Rich in LA.
///Interview: Child Abuse New York's Post-millennial mathemagicians Child Abuse do not listen to their own jazz and metal fusion during sex which is good to know.
///Marsea Goldberg of New Image Art On the eve of New Image Art's 15 year anniversary show, Jeff Soto interviews Marsea, the founder and curator, about the gallery's unique past and its future.
///Mike Giant Interview Tattoo/ graffiti/ fix gear/ clothing mogul legend. Mike answers your questions.
///Michael Krueger Interview This art professor from the University of Kansas has recently had solo shows in Paraguay, Florence, Italy and the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Our Chicago man, Ryan Christian, interviews.
///Martha Cooper Interview Photographer Martha Cooper just released Tag Town a book of her photos which document the infant NYC tagging & graffiti scene in the late '70s.
///Interview: Mark Gergis aka Porest Audio revisionist Mark Gergis aka Porest discusses Sublime Frequencies, Tourrorists! and other sonic morsels from a comfortable cruising altitude.
///Carl Baratta Interview Just coming off a show @Western Exhibitions in Chicago, Ryan Christian interviews.
///Studio Visit: Faile Out in Brooklyn, Manuel catches up with FAILE at their studios as they prepare to School London.
///Studio Visit: Anthony Lister The Bello seeks out and finds the infamous Mr. Lister at his new studio in Brooklyn.
///Death Sentence: Panda! San Francisco trio prove that when pushed to the limit, any living
creature will revolt.
///José Parlá Interview Brooklyn based artist José Parlá sits down with Manuel Bello and reflects on the complexities of his journey into the world of 'Segmented Realities' and more.
///The Dodos Interview Our music editor, Chris Rolls, catches this 3 piece band before they head off for more world touring.
///Ryan Wallace Interview Been a fan of this RISD graduate and now NYC resident for some time. He was in SF last week and we got to ask him a couple questions.
///Damon Soule Interview We've known this Portland based artist for years, back when he lived in SF. Well, he's got a show at the NYC based Joshua Liner opening Oct 11th. Manuel Bello interviews.
///Joshua Petker Interview It's not all about the girls. This LA based artist's solo show opens Oct 4th @Corey Helford.
High 5s: Rain Rain Rain Just some things like police, rain, rattle snakes, bowling and your cousins.
Pearl C. Hsiung Studio Visit Michael swings through the studio of this LA based artist as she prepares for the international group show Arte Contemporaneo - ARCO Madrid opening Feb 17th.
Manfred Naescher - Mini Interview Berlin based artist/ illustrator... "film frames provide me with ready-made compositions and figurative constellations that I can work from."
Dumping out the 2009 Junk Drawer The Shopkeep blogs one up sharing Needles & Pens shows Tim Kerr, Russ Pope Mathew Rodriguez, Michael Sieben Nikki McClure, & Sara Thustra.
High 5s: My Holiday Vacation The last week of 2009 spent wishing a magical baby happy birthday in a complete haze.
Interview with Director Erich Weiss The film Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry explores the roots of American tattooing through the life of its most iconoclastic figure, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins.
Back in Papua New Guinea Artist Tiffany Bozic and her husband, who's the curator of Birds and Mammals at the Cal Academy, take a trip to study some of the rarest birds on Earth.
Michael Dotson - Mini Interview Inspired by Michael Jordan, this DC based 27 year old is a genius with masking tape and has a show coming up Jan 2010 in LA @Lawrence Asher.
Free Fridayz: I Swear to God... Full theme title: I swear to fucking God that if you do that one more God damn time I'm going to rip your fucking head off and feed it to a cute little squirrel named Fecal Face.
Mini Interview: Sam Falls This MFA photography student @ICP-Bard in NYC just released a new book "Color Dying Light" and is preparing for his solo PS1 solo show @Capricious Space in June.
Mini Interview: Matt Relkin Otherworldly landscapes & skyscapes containing dark primordial objects all belonging to a self-made mythology.
London: A Trip to Berlin And assisting Dalek for his show @Elms Lesters Gallery in London plus a lot of Berlin street art.
Free Fridayz: Your Saint This is a great week, but I can't wait to see what people draw for next week's theme.
DUALITY OF MAN Great photos from Carlos de Spinola trying to visualize South Africa's crime problem.
Free Fridayz: Stupid Police Chase This week's prize is a two day pass to the Treasure Island Music Festival running Oct 17th & 18th... Obviously you need to live somewhere near SF to win.
Michael Sieben's Summer Vacation Hopefully this blog gives you some temporary relief from the crushing terror of the impending Swine Flu epidemic.
Up and Down From LA Mel Kadel and Travis Millard came up from LA to SF to install Mel's show Echo Test @FFDG. This is Travis' blog from their trip.
High 5s: Sure, You Can Fly Contest winner, more Mel, marooned at China Camp, KQED, and people you've never met.
If You Build It We Will Burn It North Carolina collective, Team Lump, travels to East London's arty Bethnal Green neighborhood for this group show @Cell Projects.
Free Fridayz: POOR "I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money." -Picasso
Ben Tour takes Manhattan Ben Tour, Bacon, Hotdogs & Heartburn. Manuel brings us a "Ben Tour" Tour of Manhattan and more.
Free Fridayz: Monkey & The Apocalypse The full title: A monkey eating the Eiffel Tower while ice skating off a cliff wearing a mini skirt and hoop earings during the apocalypse... Might be one of the best Free Fridayz to date.
Mini Interview: Adam Sullivan Paper, scissors, blades, UHU Stic, pens and pencils are what's used to create these great collages from this Ohio based artist.
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