Bo Faux taxidermy

31/08/2026

I have another little Highland cow update for you tonight.

I have been totally in the zone over the last couple of days. Who knew layering leather was so therapeutic 😁.

I managed to get wee 'smiley Ed's'
(his nickname 😁) muzzle finished, layered the leather up to the eye area, hand painted his eyes onto glass cabochons, and in fact created his eyes and got them into position 😅.

His character is certainly shining through now 🥰❤️

North East Open Studios Saturday 12th-Sunday 20th September.

30/08/2026

Over the last week I have been working on my next two showcases for this year's North East Open Studios, 12th- 20th September.

You might remember my two Highland cow base skulls that were drying in the beautiful sunshine. Well it was time for their transformation.

Firstly, it was getting those horns to look like horns. I roughly sanded them down because I want that natural gnarly/textured look. To create the colour, I started with the darkest tone and worked my way up to the lightest tone. This gives the horns depth and more of a realistic finish.

Then it's onto layering all that recycled leather 😅. I like to start on the muzzle area first and create that distinctive nose. I love that smiley little face already 😍.

More updates soon 🥰

28/08/2026

Things are getting pretty busy in my studio now!!! There's only 2 weeks left until I open my studio doors to visitors 😅.

In between glue and paint drying on my showcase pieces I have been playing around with my tiny scraps of leather and woven fabrics. I hate to see good quality materials going to waste so if I can create something I will. It's actually amazing what you can achieve using these tiny little pieces. So I created these two little 3D Grumpy owls 😍.

I searched through my driftwood stockpile and found the perfect pieces to mount these two grumpy little fellows onto. And to finish off I created a woodland ground layer from left over woven fabrics.

I just love them. My grumpy owls always make me smile 😁

Don't forget the North East Open Studios starts Saturday 12th-Sunday 20th September. I will be open between 10am-5pm each day. Why not pop in and say hi 🥰.

27/08/2026

What a great map! 😍

20 fabulous Artists and disciplines to see in the Mearns and Montrose area during this year's North East Open Studios. Have you planned where you're going yet?

Introducing the Mearns & Montrose Coast & Country Trail. Bringing together some of the brilliant artists and makers taking part across our wee corner of NEOS, from Stonehaven down to Montrose and inland through the Mearns.

Bo Faux taxidermy Dariusz Works Helen Forrest, Artist Geffen Black Hetty Haxworth Prints Joseph Morgan Ceramics Magic glass by MagdalenaMoira Johnston ceramics Renee Vincent Design Tangle & Haar Treasure by Cheryl John Wilkinson - Artist

Save it, share it, plan a wee trail… and come and see us in September! 💛💙

24/08/2026

I finished my first showcase piece today for this year's North East Open Studios and I love it 😍.

This is my first ever Kingfisher and the first time I have created wings in flight. I am so happy with the outcome.

I loved creating the composition (something a little less conventional 😁) and picking out all the fabrics from my scrap stash. He is created using a mixture of leather and woven fabrics. Loving the textures, he's so tactile! Even the wee Minnow was a lot of fun to create (even though I do feel a little sorry for him 😕). And to finish it off I created moss on the driftwood using woven fabrics.

Don't forget if you're in the Johnshaven area over NEOS, September 12th-20th, do come along and see Kingfisher and my menagerie for yourself. I will be open each day from 10-5pm.

22/08/2026

3 weeks today until North East Open Studios!!! 😲

Saturday 12th - Sunday 20th September. I hope to see you in Johnshaven. Venue #34 😀

19/08/2026

I received more 'Bo Faux in situ' photos 😍.

Remember Angus my most recent Border Terrier creation. Well here's the real Angus checking out his Bo Faux doppelganger.

I did laugh when I saw the photos because in the first photo it looks like he's saying "what the hell is this!" And in the second photo he's saying "What do you mean, it's supposed to be me" 😆. Look at that face, love it 🥰❤️

13/08/2026

It is now safe to share this little munchkin 😍.

This is Murran the Westie. Her ears didn't fully go up which resulted in the cutest little face ever 😍. I just love characteristics like this when creating my pieces, it's so much fun to create 🥰.

Bo Faux Murran was commissioned as a 60th birthday gift and I am so happy to report she was very well received, however the real Murran wasn't so keen 😆.

12/08/2026

My time is now totally focused on planning, prepping and making my showcase pieces for the very fast approaching North East Open Studios, which runs from Saturday 12th-Sunday 20th September 😅.

Multitasking is an understatement at the moment. It's like musical workstations just now! 🤪. I have been going from one workspace to the next preparing all the base skulls for my Highland cows and getting the horns ready for painting. And while that's drying I waxed and mounted my beautiful piece of driftwood onto a piece of old oak whisky barrel lid which I also sanded and waxed. This is going to be the sculptural backdrop to a very exciting commission I am working on 😍. Once finished it will also be one of my showcase pieces for the open studio event. I am really excited! 😍.

I also picked out the specific colours for the creature I am making out of my leather scrap box. Can you tell what it's going to be? 😁

11/08/2026

I have another Border Terrier for you tonight 😍.

This little monkey is called Angus and he'll be going off to his new home very soon. At least I have another few days to enjoy that little face before he goes. He can keep me sane while I work on my North East Open Studios showcases 🤪😅😆.