STRIPES David Freda “Story about a teen’s passion for taxidermy.” The Milwaukee Sentinel, Oct. 31, 1970 H. Carl Mueller “When older men talk about David Freda, it is in a tone of respect tinged with awe. David’s quiet, intense approach to the study of wild things has earned that respect.” –H. Carl Mueller, columnist “He had a real insight into natural things: You could see how he tried to fit together the whole picture and how he hoped it could all be preserved.” –Harold Rock, park naturalist Coming from very early natural history interests, eagerly peering under rocks and logs, and into creek bottoms, I have continued my passion with the natural world. Learning the art of training and flying falcons during high school, then pursuing taxidermy, unsurprisingly influenced my artistic expression towards birds of prey. I worked through watercolors, illustration, then ceramics, ultimately settling on metalsmithing and fine jewelry as my artistic expression. I incorporate vitreous enameling to express realism and vibrant colors that are representative of the works I create. My passion is to create jewelry and fine lifelike works, expressions that startle the viewer and upon closer examination it is discovered the work is not alive. Always challenging myself with more intricate detail and techniques, I chose the Danis Danis butterfly as a wearable brooch to push beyond, forcing myself to create new techniques in which to respectfully represent this beautiful butterfly. 38