Competition results 2013

We're just back from the annual World Championship carving contest.  A great time looking at all of the entries, seeing old friends, and enjoying some family time in Ocean City, MD.

I had four entries in the miniature decoy division.  Each one placed in their respective categories.  The two below were awarded first and second best in the division.

Red-breasted Merganser, female.  3.5", wood and oil paint

Redhead, female.  3.5",  wood and oil paint

Magazine write up

A very nice write up in the January issue of Hunting and Fishing Collectibles magazine. Thanks to the author, Rod Taylor, and to the magazine for permission to reprint here on the blog.

Work in progress: Ring-necked Pheasant Miniature

Some photos of a pair of pheasants in progress. They are each approximately. 4-6" long (male is longer because of the tail.

Recently Photographed Carvings

Below are some recently taken photograps of completed carvings.  Mostly miniatures with the exception of the woodcock which is carved to actual size.

Redhead (male) Miniature Decoy, Tupelo and Oil, approx 3.5"

Barrows Goldeneye (male) Miniature Decoy, Tupelo and Oil, approx 3.5"

Shoveler (male) Miniature Decoy, Tupelo and Oil, approx 3.5"

Red-breasted Merganser (male) Miniature Decoy, Tupelo and Oil, approx 3.5"

Red-breasted Merganser (female) Miniature Decoy, Tupelo and Oil, approx 3.5"

Red-breasted Merganser Pair Miniature Decoys, Tupelo and Oil, approx 3.5"

Woodcock, actual size, Tupelo and Oil.  approx 7"

From the workbench - Nov 3, 2012

A grouping of miniature decoys in progress.

May 2012 - Work in Progress

A pair of northern shoveler decoys in the works..

April 2012 - Miniature Decoys

There is a category at some decoy/bird carving competitions for "cocktail" or "champagne" miniature decoys.  The reference to coctail/champagne because they have to be small enough to float in a wide cocktail glass (3.5").  It's kind of a novelty category.  This year, I entered two of these tiny decoys at the Ward Foundation "World Champtionship" carving competition and came in 1st and 2nd in the division.  These little things have to float.  They are carved in a very light wood but even so, I had to hollow the Shoveler to get it to float correctly.  Both are carved from a solid piece of tupelo gum and painted in oils..  The red-breasted merganser's crest was made from an old paint brush.

Red-breasted merganser (male)

another view of the red breasted merganser

Norther shoveler (male)

From September 2010

Some red crossbills carved to be used as decoys for trapping and banding birds.

Juvenile, in progress

Juvenile

Female

Male

Finished work from April 2010

Better late than never... American Woodcock, Wood and oil paint. 2010

Recent Carvings

I guess it's like the plumber's leaky sink - my paintings don't get framed, the decoys are in my studio rather than on the mantle and I always wait until the last minute to have Amy photograph my finished work. I think back on all of the carvings that I made and sold when I was carving full-time. I probably photographed less than 5% of the total. Well, these at least made it to the portfolio (thanks to Amy)!

Blue winged teal decoy (male)
-hollow white cedar and oil paint


Northern Shoveler (male)
- hollow white cedar and oil paint


Thanks for looking.

Recent Bird Paintings

Common Yellowthroat - 2009 - oil on panel

Blue Jay - 2008 - oil on panel

Onions 2008

I hadn't ever thought much about onions being interesting until trying to paint one. The depth of color resulting from light shining on the translucent layers of skin provide many possible interpretations.

The painting with the tomato can was started over 10 years ago at Chris Pugliese's old studio. I pulled it off of the shelf primarily as an excuse to paint the contrasting letters and shapes on the white can. It took me half a day to locate the same can of tomatos. I found the can at the same vegetable stand that I purchased the original 10 years ago - probably should have checked there first...

Some old stuff...

These were painted before I had a day job. I rarely got out of bed before 8:00 am back then. Those were the days!