A labor of love at Legacy Studio
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
A love of art and a respect for preserving the majesty of God’s creatures has manifested into a supplementary business for a Hillsboro man creating lasting wildlife images.
Jim Carnes is the proprietor of the Legacy Studio, located off Green Road, just outside of Hillsboro. Carnes specializes in wildlife taxidermy, hunting decoys and original portraits.
Trained as a wildlife specialist at Hocking College, Carnes said he has been creating taxidermy work since the late 1980s.
While there are several talented taxidermists in Highland County, Carnes said, he feels that his business is different because of his use of live animal references. He has an aviary in his backyard that houses several breeds of wild turkeys, and he is working on an area for two deer as well.
It’s illegal, he said, to keep wild animals, so he acquired the birds from licensed breeders.
“One of God’s first jobs that he gave man in the Garden of Eden was to name and care for the animals,” Carnes said. “I see this as an extension of that.”
The taxidermy, he said, isn’t just about displaying a sport trophy. It’s about preserving the beauty of the animal.
He said that he is always trying to better his abilities, and he studies the arrangement of feathers, the colors and positioning of the birds and animals.
“I have a live reference for sketches, and I also do wildlife portraits,” he said. “It’s not confined to taxidermy, either. I love the arts, so I try to approach this like an artist.”
For hunters and sportsman who don’t want to make the investment in a full taxidermy work, Carnes said that he can customize magnets with images of their own deer.
“You can buy magnets to put on your truck, but why would you display someone else’s deer when you can have one of your own for your truck,” he said.
An unexpected benefit that Legacy Studio has had in his life, Carnes said, is that his two sons, ages 14 and 10, have taken an interest in the work as well.
“It gives us something that we can do together,” Carnes said. “We can talk about their day and what’s going on in their lives. It gives us a real connection.”
For more information on Legacy Studios, Carnes can be reached at (937) 393-8786.[[In-content Ad]]
Jim Carnes is the proprietor of the Legacy Studio, located off Green Road, just outside of Hillsboro. Carnes specializes in wildlife taxidermy, hunting decoys and original portraits.
Trained as a wildlife specialist at Hocking College, Carnes said he has been creating taxidermy work since the late 1980s.
While there are several talented taxidermists in Highland County, Carnes said, he feels that his business is different because of his use of live animal references. He has an aviary in his backyard that houses several breeds of wild turkeys, and he is working on an area for two deer as well.
It’s illegal, he said, to keep wild animals, so he acquired the birds from licensed breeders.
“One of God’s first jobs that he gave man in the Garden of Eden was to name and care for the animals,” Carnes said. “I see this as an extension of that.”
The taxidermy, he said, isn’t just about displaying a sport trophy. It’s about preserving the beauty of the animal.
He said that he is always trying to better his abilities, and he studies the arrangement of feathers, the colors and positioning of the birds and animals.
“I have a live reference for sketches, and I also do wildlife portraits,” he said. “It’s not confined to taxidermy, either. I love the arts, so I try to approach this like an artist.”
For hunters and sportsman who don’t want to make the investment in a full taxidermy work, Carnes said that he can customize magnets with images of their own deer.
“You can buy magnets to put on your truck, but why would you display someone else’s deer when you can have one of your own for your truck,” he said.
An unexpected benefit that Legacy Studio has had in his life, Carnes said, is that his two sons, ages 14 and 10, have taken an interest in the work as well.
“It gives us something that we can do together,” Carnes said. “We can talk about their day and what’s going on in their lives. It gives us a real connection.”
For more information on Legacy Studios, Carnes can be reached at (937) 393-8786.[[In-content Ad]]