Biography
I first became interested in bird carving during the mid. 1980s. My interest in carving was sparked while watching a one half hour show called "In the Barnegat Bay Tradition". I had done woodworking in the past, as well as some painting. My woodworking experience primarily consisted of making blanket chests, cradles, rocking horses, etc. My paintings were of landscapes and still lifes, in oils. I think that it is the combination of woodworking and painting that first caught my interest. Now my carving allows me to combine both woodworking and painting as one art form.
I began by carving and painting decoys. My Wife and I had attended several wildlife art festivals, such as the one held each year in Easton Md. My carving soon shifted to decorative wildfowl. I began exhibition carving on a serious basis, exhibiting at about eight or nine shows per year.
I have won numerous blue ribbons at various competitions, including best of show. I have won a first place at the Ward Foundation World Championship at Ocean City Md. in the miniature shorebirds category. I have been called on, on several occasions to judge carving competitions. I have gained valuable experience doing so. I have taught birdcarving at an adult evening school.
I am presently looking to expand the number of exhibits I will be doing each year, as this will give my wife and I the opportunity to travel, something we both enjoy.
I have carved in Basswood, Julutong and Tupelo. I now carve in Tupelo exclusively. I paint in acrylics and sometime in an acrylic-gouache. I have enjoyed carving birds of all species, including songbirds, shorebirds, gamebirds, and I am exploring carving raptors. I carve birds exclusively and I find there is more than Enough to keep one busy in that field alone.
Many of my carvings reside in private collections ranging from Maine to Florida as far west as Colorado as well as England.