About Me
My name is Steve Rolan. I am the Owner and wildlife artist at Artistic Wildlife Expressions. I grew up hunting, fishing and trapping as a youth. I still remember my first trip to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and my subsequent fascination with the art of taxidermy. I attempted to learn this fascinating art on my own, but then, in 1987, I attended Piedmont Community College for their nationally acclaimed Taxidermy program under Ralph Garland. It was here that I discovered taxidermy was my calling. I opened my own studio upon completion of the year long program.
I learned really quickly that being a taxidermist didn’t necessarily mean clients were just going to knock down your door or entrust their prized trophies to the local guy who mounted their deer. I longed to work on a large variety of animals from all over the world. In order to gain the experience I desired, I decided I would have to travel and work with larger studios. Since then, I have traveled across the western United States and worked for several large studios, including but not limited to Jonas Brother Taxidermy Studio and Big Cat Taxidermy Studio. I spent over four years at Jonas Brothers Taxidermy Studio, which is the nation’s oldest and largest taxidermy studio. Here I specialized in artistic life-size animals from all over the world. I quickly became the lead taxidermist and "go-to-guy" for life-size mounts. The other large high-end studio that helped create the artist I am today, was Big Cat Taxidermy. I worked there for over four years. That Studio specializes in large predators, particularly Cats, which are the hardest mammals to convincingly recreate.
From that time, I have continued to study and learn from national and world champion taxidermists, both in seminars and private lessons. All of these experiences have allowed me to fine-tune my skill set, which had also been aided by competing in State, National and World Taxidermy Competitions. I have been fortunate enough to win an assortment of awards. These are highlighted by 13 time Multi-State Champion for Life-Size Mammals, 4 Judges Choice Best of Shows Awards, 3 Breakthrough Awards, 1 Wasco Award, 6 People’s choice Best of Show Awards, 10 McKenzie Taxidermist Choice Awards and 2 Artisan Awards along with many others.
I believe in treating each and every customer's piece like the unique trophy it is. From the young hunter's first squirrel to the rare trophies from all parts of the world. I hopefully recreate a glimpse into the hunter's memory of their amazing experience that culminated in harvesting that animal.