Recent content by Keith Mueller

Hi Everyone, Today was the drawing for the decoy for those who purchased the Collectors Edition of my book "The Art in Making Decoys". My wife Jen selected the winning post card from the "hat" from all who sent it back to me. The lucky winners name is: Jason Barnett from Indianapolis, Ind...

THis thread was just brought to my attention. I agree with Tod on this one!!! I don't know why my name was injected into this post and into other subjects like this. Probably one of the reasons why I quite forums!! My private comment regarding the "bird in question" was simply some...

Sorry I have been away from the forum for the last few months......I think like many of us who go through bouts of "forum fatigue" for whatever reason just move on to other aspects of life. Then when we check back in, often to discover sad news......Steve you will be missed. I know I have only...

You are correct Rick, I did mention two coats of shellac in my book.......however I should have mentioned that these coats should be very lightly applied. You will be better off working with one coat for the best results, and as Clint mentioned, make sure the shellac is wax-free. Good luck...

Hi Rick, Sorry I didn't find your post (and email) sooner....I have been jammed trying to get a few things finished before next week, and there was that tax thing!! :) Unfortunately what happened to you is a common problem, (I have been there many times).......the Japan oil didn't...

Now that's sculpture.......pure floating art!! Just beautiful Bob; thanks for sharing with us. Keith

Hi Robie, What Steve, Bob and the others stated is correct. Because many of the patterns I included were designed to allow your "interpretations" to show through; I didn't want everyone to carve "Mueller clones". I was looking for everyone to carve what they saw in nature and allow your own...

Welcome Justin!!!! Glad you are here.....you will find a great bunch of people here!! Good to see that you joined!!! Keith

Welcome to the site AJ; and welcome to decoy carving!! You will find a life long passion after you finish that first bird!! I will be glad to send you some wood for heads and a body or two. Send me a pm with your address, and I will drop them in the mail to you!! Keith

Thank you everyone.....I appreciate all your comments. I hope these little "mini demos" are helpful. I have many more coming, including a few more detailed ones as well. Al- I never keep track, but if I had to estimate the time.....a couple of hours to rough it out and hollow it, a few more...

Excellent Pat!! Keep the images coming.....watching "in progress" pictures are very inspiring!! Keith

I hope you enjoyed the "mini demo".......If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Here is my next demo now in the works.......black bellied whistling duck......

The bird details are finished and the tiny mottled vermiculation on the upper side pockets are added to complete the decoy. The decoy is now set aside to dry and cure..... The decoy is now drying. When the bird cures, I will add the finish..... The finish of the decoy was...

Another view..... The secondaries, greater secondary coverts and the lmedial secondary coverts were painted and completed at this point..... The flanks, side pockets, chest, head and bill were painted using many color values of each color and multiple blends. The details will be added...

The finished bottom sealed with two coats of shellac (steel wooled between coats). I will repeat this process when the decoy is finished, with four or five additional applications...... The sealed decoy with one coat of shellac......lightly steel wooled when dry..... Since...