CRITIQUES

2003 N.T.A: Design & Composition
by Stefan Savides

CONTINUING OUR JOURNEY into design, we will look at a variety of compositions from the 2003 N.T.A. convention. All of these pieces have employed one or more of the principles of design that we have discussed in the past. To re-fresh your memory, I’m speaking of elements such as repetition, color schemes, motion, balance, simplicity, and so forth. When you look at these pieces, I want you to be aware of your first impressions, and whether or not you find it enjoyable to look at the piece. Try to dissect what it is about the piece that stands out first. This can be a positive feature or a negative one. It can be helpful to squint your eyes to determine if the subject matter is being upstaged by the base or habitat. While there are exceptions to every rule, generally our basic goal is to showcase the taxidermy. It is possible, but not usually, that the taxidermy could be only an accessory to a piece.

THREE BRANTS –Bret Kirk. Our first design is by an ex-Colorado taxidermist, Bret Kirk. Bret, who now lives in Maryland, has created this striking American brant trio. He has used repetition by the employment of multiple subjects and the repetition of like colors throughout the composition.

The use of the three birds creates movement by their varied wing-beats that give us a subliminal message of actual flight...
 

...Continued in the Spring 2004 Issue of Breakthrough.

If you want to subscribe or receive back issues, please select one of the following options: