Any Decoy Carvers Out There??

[mobjack68]

any decoy carvers listening?? holler...real loud..
thanks

[schizoidlogger]

Hi Mob,

I carved one once many years ago and was doing some research lately. Appears to be pretty hot market out there now.

The antique, stylized simple ones - even some copies - are getting big bucks.

I would like to learn a bit about it, thinking of trying my hand at it again. What kind do you do?

[SeaLeveler]

I try but not having much luck.My daughter paints them and I can't keep her busy.Tony

[markken5889]

Hey Mobjack,

YUP!!!

mostly antiqued smoothies, as I really like that look. I'm working now on a 1/2 size mallard, profile carving to put onto a plaque, kinda like an antique decoy carving sign. (It might've been easier just to carve a whole duck deke and then cut in it half!)

Mark

[Lonewolfcarver]

I like the antique smoothies as well. Big fan of Anthony Hillmans' patterns. I have done loons of various sizes, a couple of mallards, a wood duck, merganser and geese and swans of various sizes. I hope to do a bufflehead this summer. I like using different woods and don't always paint them.

[kenweybright]

I carve a few now and then. It seems that I move between decorative song birds and gamebirds and antique style decoys. My work for both is on my website listed below. At the moment I'm try to wrap a Red Wing Blackbird and a cedar waxwing for a show next weekend. Then will probably get back to few decoys.

[markken5889]

sounds nice, Ken. I'd like to see your two new birds if you're willing to show 'em!

Mark

[kenweybright]

Mark,

I'll be happy to post them when they are finished. I have come to the conclusion that I am the slowest carver in the world. I call these my 30 minute birds; because I seem to only work in 30 minutes to an hour here and there. Hugh Park and Tom Park have provided some good info through this site. Don't have any idea if they are related or not. The other thing I have learned recently if that 10% more effort on a bird usually generates an additional 100% better looking bird. These two I have really worked hard to improve my painting techniques; and when Hugh and Tom refer to painting lightly in washes, the birds really show the increased effort in coloration. I guess that you can tell I'm very, very happy with the end result on these two birds.

[kenweybright]

Mark,

If I have done this right, the first two pictures are of a cedar waxwing, and the last two of a redwing blackbird.

These two birds will be entered in the Idaho Woodcarving Show and Sale next weekend.

I would publicly thank Hugh P. for his advice regarding the natural look of cattails. I think most of the real serious bird carvers are at Ocean City for the Worlds. These two are not quite Worlds caliber, but I'm getting close to entering. Unfortuneately they do not accept mail in entries.

[Hugh-P]

You certainly have a couple of fine looking birds ready for the show, good luck.