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Taxidermy expert speaks at Shepherd
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .On Aug. 23, Boardman native Paul Thomas visited Poland Shepherd of the Valley to discuss his 50 years of experience in self-taught big game taxidermy.
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Neighbors | Submitted .In a photo taken in the game room at his home, Paul Thomas showed off some of the 70 taxidermy pieces decorating the area. He tours local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, schools, and clubs through his home, and offered an invitation to his guests at Poland Shepherd of the Valley on Aug. 23 a future tour.
By SARAH FOOR
Boardman native Paul Thomas is quite used to seeing tigers, bears and panthers in his house. The wild animals are there, primarily in his game room, because of his lifelong passion for taxidermy and his 50 years of service to the profession.
Leaving his wild animals at home, Thomas visited Poland Shepherd of the Valley on Aug. 23 to share his art with residents of the facility.
Thomas, a 1959 graduate of Boardman High School, specializes in mountain animal taxidermy and has spent many years acting as a guide in British Columbia and recently, Africa.
“I have had a very full life,” Thomas said of his profession. “I’m lucky to have experienced things that others might not encounter in a hundred years. It’s a joy to share it and to tell people about my art.”
Thomas welcomed questions from his guests about the technical aspects of taxidermy, explaining how the animals arrive at his workshop and how he creates forms for each taxidermy piece.
“It’s a lot of trial and error, even after so many years. Each piece is a big investment, but still fun for me,” Thomas shared.
In his North Lima home, Thomas displays more than 70 pieces he is particularly proud of in his game room. The artist offered the Shepherd of the Valley residents an invitation to his house for a tour through his shop and game room, to which the residents agreed.