Competition - Harlequin Drake Decoy

This year I wasn't able to make it back east to the Ward World Championships. However, I was able to get a bird back there through the aid of a local friend/carver (Andrew Speer). Because I couldn't attend and hand carry or deliver my latest greatest pieces I decided to send a nice decoy. The one I did during the Spokane class back in January and March. This being the Harlequin Drake decoy which you can see a couple posts down on this page.

Turned out this bird competed quite well back east. It took best in species (other divers - Harlequin) in contemporary decoys. I'm pleased with this result given the fact it wasn't painted to the highest level of detail that would be needed for the CD category.

The bonus to this bird was the fact it was also entered into a show over in Havre de Grace the weekend after worlds. It had to go into the smoothie category as it was too fancy for a working decoy. In smoothie it took best in species and second best diver. Again, I couldn't be happier with this result. Under the smoothie category it wasn't painted with the highest level of detail one would expect for that category.

I consider myself fortunate to have placed at both of these shows given the fact I didn't do a bird specifically for any given category or competition. The most important thing was doing a bird I really wanted to do for myself (aside from it being a class project). Even if it happens to fall in the middle of the pack as far as detail or lack of detail didn't matter. I have a great bird for my mantle and eventually it will end up on someones mantle to enjoy for many years.

New Release - Harlequin Drake Decoy

As promised, I finally have a chance to post my latest Harlequin Drake Decoy. This is the bird I did in the class I taught in Spokane on both the carving and painting back in January and early March.

I really enjoyed doing this class as it is one of my favorite waterfowl. I'm lucky enough to be in an area where I get to see this bird in the spring while they are inland during the breading season. Up in Glacier National Park we can see them swimming around the glacial waters while they are feeding.

This bird is functional and is ready to hunt over or more likely go in the tank for competition purposes.

To see more photos of this bird go to my New Release page on my website http://www.simchuk.com/19601.html

New Release

In January I created this Harlequin Drake Decoy so there would be an example for my class in Spokane to see what they would create. This class would carve a functional Harlequin Drake working decoy.

The intent was to have a working decoy style which would be very basic and simple in both carving and painting.

As I proceeded through the carving I decided to provide more definition in the bill and wings which kicked it out of a typical working decoy classification. A traditional working decoy would have no bill detail and the primaries would not be a refined as I have them here.

Also, when I moved into the painting of this bird, I decided to try to give it more interest and pop. This was accomplished through more feathering and blending of colors than one would see on a traditional working decoy where the colors are blocked in.

As a result I have a very attractive looking decoy that I'm quite pleased with.

You can see more photos of this bird on my website: http://www.simchuk.com/19601.html