Taxidermist Joe Lesh said he approaches his work from the perspective of an artist: both professions require consummate artistic ability and both are aimed at making memories and preserving a moment in time.
An international, national and state award-winning taxidermist, Joe and his son, Joey, toil in their Cypress shop, Sportsmen's Taxidermy, honing their skills while making plans to expand their business.
“We're planning to eventually have a total of 7,000 square feet here, including a 1,200-square-foot trophy room,” he said.
The business can be found at 19526 Cypress N. Houston Road, where the pair relocated in October from their previous location on FM 1960.
Launching into his profession 50 years ago, Joe, now 64, was joined by Joey in 1993. Now 42, Joey said going into the business was just a natural fit.
“I worked with my dad all the time I was growing up,” Joey said. “When I was a kid, we’d go hunting and I’d come home at 8-, 9-years-old and try my hand at taxidermy.”
Joe said he works with each customers throughout the entire taxidermy process to determine the best pedestal, mount and look for each trophy. Over the course of his career, he said he has worked on every type of animal, from hummingbirds to elephants.
“Every animal presents its own set of problems,” he said.
Joey said he believes taxidermy is the only industry that uses all forms of art.
“From air brushing to sculpting, modeling, flat art, painting and carpentry, every type of art there is you use in taxidermy,” he said.
During his career, Joe has worked on everything from the smallest hummingbird to several elephants. All animal pedestals are made by hand, Joe said.
Both Leshes consider themselves lucky to be able to do what they love for a living.
“It’s just so rewarding,” Joey said. “Being able to take a lump of nothing and turn it into something beautiful. It’s work we love.”
15926 Cypress N. Houston Road, Ste. 200, Cypress 281-583-5560 www.facebook.com/sportsmenstaxidermy Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sundays
