Canvas Decoys. Scoter and Brant

[Vince Pagliaroli]

Jason,

Time was I spent lots of time with Archie Johnson and his wife at the old Ohio Decoy show in Westlake, Ohio. We would sit and talk for hours and my oh my what I learned from he and his wife about the things we loved. He did not like the fact that I sealed my canvas decoys with gesso, so I was not included in his book. I did get a signed copy of Gun Clubs & Decoys from him that I value very much. He would always go and buy as many old beat up Mason decoys and heads that he could find at that show. He brought them back to life.... Archie was a gentleman, a real character, and a wealth of decoy knowledge.

There's lots of waterfowling and decoy history in the area where you live. Sadly much of it has been "improved" and developed since I first began going there to waterfowl hunt. Yet the history and ghosts of many of the the Gun Clubs are still there.

 

[JasonM]

Jason,

Time was I spent lots of time with Archie Johnson and his wife at the old Ohio Decoy show in Westlake, Ohio. We would sit and talk for hours and my oh my what I learned from he and his wife about the things we loved. He did not like the fact that I sealed my canvas decoys with gesso, so I was not included in his book. I did get a signed copy of Gun Clubs & Decoys from him that I value very much. He would always go and buy as many old beat up Mason decoys and heads that he could find at that show. He brought them back to life.... Archie was a gentleman, a real character, and a wealth of decoy knowledge.

There's lots of waterfowling and decoy history in the area where you live. Sadly much of it has been "improved" and developed since I first began going there to waterfowl hunt. Yet the history and ghosts of many of the the Gun Clubs are still there.

I have a couple copies of Archie and Buds book as well. The first is nearly worn out I've looked through it so much. I went to school with Buds kids and still see his son at all the shows. I never had the pleasure of meeting Archie. I did meet his son at a local show I did in March and talked with him awhile. I've always thought his canvas swan were the prettiest I've ever seen and would love to add one to my collection. I tried to take alot of influence from his birds when I was trying to make my birds better.

 

[Vince Pagliaroli]

My goodness Jason we just get deeper and deeper into this conversation.

Attached are two photo's of Johnny Johnson Tundra Swan/ Whistling Swan decoys. I took these photo's at a dock, boathouse and decoy shed while hunting Chincoteague, VA. We hunted over the decoys that day and many other local carvers decoys. When the owner opened the shed door the decoys were piled as high as a man in a large pile. I was dumbfounded to say the least. Johnny Johnson makes just incredible gunning canvas decoys. I never met him but always admired his work.

Also attached are some watercolors I did during the hay days of my addiction to the gunning history of NC & VA.

Neil Conoley's book was of great interest to me cuz it has photos of the skeletal frames of different canvas/wire decoys. I knew how to work with canvas with my art experiences. What I wanted to learn was HOW the old timers did the most important work. Under the Canvas of true gunning decoys. I look for that in all the books, and articles that I have collected over many years The old Chincoteague Waterfowl Museum had examples of what I so much wanted to learn about, and I took photos there as well. Some makers try to keep that private from other makers. So I studied and worked as best I could to make my decoys work so that I was satisfied. I'm still learning....

 

[JasonM]

My goodness Jason we just get deeper and deeper into this conversation.

Attached are two photo's of Johnny Johnson Tundra Swan/ Whistling Swan decoys. I took these photo's at a dock, boathouse and decoy shed while hunting Chincoteague, VA. We hunted over the decoys that day and many other local carvers decoys. When the owner opened the shed door the decoys were piled as high as a man in a large pile. I was dumbfounded to say the least. Johnny Johnson makes just incredible gunning canvas decoys. I never met him but always admired his work.

Also attached are some watercolors I did during the hay days of my addiction to the gunning history of NC & VA.

Neil Conoley's book was of great interest to me cuz it has photos of the skeletal frames of different canvas/wire decoys. I knew how to work with canvas with my art experiences. What I wanted to learn was HOW the old timers did the most important work. Under the Canvas of true gunning decoys. I look for that in all the books, and articles that I have collected over many years The old Chincoteague Waterfowl Museum had examples of what I so much wanted to learn about, and I took photos there as well. Some makers try to keep that private from other makers. So I studied and worked as best I could to make my decoys work so that I was satisfied. I'm still learning....

I use to know a man that had 2 of the prettiest canvas swan hanging in a big garage type building on his property. I lived those swan but never knew who made them until I went in The Bird Store in Nags Head one day years ago and he had a rig of Johnny's geese in there for sale. As soon as I saw them I knew Johnny had made those swan. I still kick myself for not buying one.

 

[Joe Friday]

Thanks for the pointers

Your photos provide a great tutorial. Your decoys look great! Thanks for sharing.