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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 1993 10 Taxidermy is Garcias art expression Dixie Brunner For a few minutes upon seeing Dan Garcia de la Cadenas work, you are mesmerized. You watch carefully for movement in the dramatic animals Garcia has brought back to life through his unique taxidermy talents. I consider it my form of artistic expression, admits Garcia of his detailed work. And Garcia is simply one of the best at his chosen art form. In August of this year, he won Best of Show at the Western Taxidermy Regionals in Idaho Falls, ID. The award was given to the exhibit judges deemed the very best, in all categories of taxidermy. Garcia said that the honor gave him special pride. In most cases, said Garcia, the best of show is won by large or endangered animals. Garcias a was entry chuckwalle, or desert lizard that is found in arid settings in rocks. When escaping from a predator, the reptile crawls into a crack and puffs itself up. Garcias chuckwalle also won best of categories division. He feels that his entry was unique in that he utilized positive, and negative space. I was pleased that it won because this showed that you dont have to have a large animal to win. I learned taxidermy in 1981 in college. I was inspired by a piece in Ducks Unlimited by Frank Numar who specializes in water fowl, said Garcia. Numar became Garcias in He incorporated habitat into his pieces. Utilizing objects found in the subjects environmenthasbeen somewhat of a trademark of Garcias work, as well. His pieces come alive in spi-ratio- n. important element of Garcias . With attention to detail, Garcia utilizes specialized techniques to mold and blend his subject into the environment that he has constructed. He actually uses artificial head, feet and bills, maintaining the animals real skin. Garcia says that chemicals are then used on things such as toes which tend to wrinkle with age. Taxidermy has changed, says Garcia. It is catering more to the general public, than to hunters. It is also taking more of an artistic approach and expanding to include the interests of others. When asked whether the thought of working with dead animals is morbid, he grins. The bottom line is to make something thats dead, look alive, said Garcia. If its aesthetically pleasing, it will be o.k. with the public. Garcia has no plans of capitalizing on his taxidermy talents at this time. I just do it for fun, not profit. But competitions are another thing. They challenge Garcias creative juices. Trophies and blue ribbons line one wall of Garcias home, making a statement to the amount of skill and expertise he has. He has attended and done well in competitions in California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah. With the taxidermy Nationals soon to be held in Waco, TX, Garcia is hoping to furth er make a name for himself. His chuckwalle will be entered, and looks to be a strong contender in the best of show category. And then there are always future projects to think about. Im own their thinking about maybe trying a setting. Artificial parts are another snake next time. Dan Garcia 's chuckwalle ordesert lizard won Best ofShow honors at the Western Taxidermy Regionals in Idaho Falls, ID last August. Garcia plans on entering the lizard in the Taxidermy Nationals to be held in Waco, Texas. the inserts from Glazier's Food Town and Honey's IGfl in this uueeks paper for some great buys! Check out New Face in Town Across street from Ace Hardware GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 1 Winterize your car now and Radiator Flush) Special - $39.95 (Includes - $39.95 (4 or 6 cylinder) Domestic Tune-U- p Anti-free- ze $49.95 ( 8 cylinder) ' 4 .... Another of taxidermist Dan Garcia's works of art. Garcia says the industry is catering more to the general public and not just hunters. , 644-889- 6 4 4 - I j 4 V V V M I |