Taxidermy and wildlife art

Artist based in leicester, uk

Welcome to my website!
My name is Matt, and I'm a taxidermist, needlefelter and wildlife artist based in the UK. My passion for nature finds its expression in taxidermy—a craft where art and science beautifully intertwineI hope that you can sense my passion for animals through the examples on my website. I am not currently offering commissions, but if you'd like to see what I have for sale, please check out my Etsy Shop!Thanks for your interest!

I am a registered member of the UK Guild of Taxidermists

About

Hello, I'm Matt—a wildlife artist in my late thirties, currently based in Leicester, England.I've been obsessed with animals for as long as I can remember—first with a sketchbook, then with a scalpel. What began as endless drawings and studies of foxes, rabbits, and birds gradually evolved into a full-blown passion for taxidermy and animal art. Today, I work across multiple mediums, including taxidermy, painting, needle felting, and art dolls, combining my love for nature, anatomy, science, and storytelling every day.I always knew I wanted to work with animals—I just didn’t expect it would be with dead ones! For years, I aspired to become a veterinarian or vet nurse, but due to chronic illnesses, I had to let go of that dream. It was devastating, but I redirected my passion into other avenues, especially taxidermy. I often joke that I’m an “animal mortician.” Taxidermy suits me perfectly: it’s a multidisciplinary art that blends anatomy, sculpture, chemistry, painting, and design. It’s also deeply personal. There’s a quiet intimacy in studying the deceased, sketching diagrams, taking measurements, and slowly sewing everything back together. It forces me to slow down and be present. It quiets my ADHD brain—and soothes it.As a disabled artist, I work at a different pace than some of my peers. Every mount I create, every painting I finish, is the result of hours upon hours of effort, care, and above all, love. Being transgender also means I often feel like an outsider in the global taxidermy community, but that’s driven me to carve out my own niche in this fascinating and competitive world.My aim is for my work to serve as a tribute to animals and the natural world. I love what I do—it allows me to find beauty in things most people overlook: the intricate patterns on a bird’s feather, the iridescence of a beetle’s carapace, the rich autumn hues in a fox’s fur. Even the deceased animals on my workbench possess a silent, honest beauty.I hope my passion for animals shines through in my work. Thank you for reading my bio. If you'd like to see more photos, works in progress, and behind-the-scenes posts, I’m active on Instagram at mmartintaxidermy.Thanks so much for stopping by!

Contact

You can contact me for any reason via email, or fill out the form below: