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I live on Isle
Madame in the small remote fishing village of Petit De Grat, Nova
Scotia, which is situated on the rugged, craggy east coast of
Cape Breton Island; an area known for it's varied birds and
wildlife.
My interest in carving started at a very young age and as early as 16 years old, I was carving working birds that I hunted with very successfully. My ideas came naturally, style and wood carving techniques I learned by trial and error, but perseverance won the day. My keen interest in carving was rewarded by my family creating a very nice wood burning Logo for my birthday and it is now used as my decoy Trademark. The tools of my trade are an old-fashioned drawknife; rasp file, assorted chisels, a band saw and axe for rough-cut. I work only with the best of kiln-dried pine or cedar wood that must be free of knots or soft cores and I use realistic, high quality glass eyes. Most of the birds that I carved in the past went to local hunters, various collectors and charity auctions. On several occasions I have donated decoys to Ducks Unlimited and have demonstrated my carvings at local schools. I have also participated in various wildlife exhibition shows in the local area. Carving decoys is now my greatest full-time hobby and I take great pride in my work. I am the sole carver and painter of my decoys. Each bird is hand carved and painted therefore ensuring that it is unique. No two birds will be exactly identical thus making them that much more of a collectible. |