Good video on J.P Hand

Excellent Roy! Thanks for sharing. Jamie is truly a renaissance man and, a true traditionalist in every sense of the work. I appreciate his preserving our tradition.
 
Roy, Thanks for the video. Enjoyed it. I found it very interesting to note that Jamie Hand was schooled by Shourds and Conklin.
What I admire amoung the New Jersey contemporary carvers is their unselfish generosity to share methods, techniques, tricks and painting skills. Jamie Hand was / is neighbors with George Strunk and helped George get started with carving decoys. George passed that knowledge on to Sean Sutton and helped open doors for Sean. Sean has mentored Jode Hillman, and Sean's son is carving decoys. Jode has passed it on to Lenny Mairono. A couple of other Jersey carvers come to mind including Matt Geiss and Kevin Wharton. The New Jersey influence has spread to our midwest as I understand Geoff Vine has been influenced by Sean Sutton's work. Geoff has been sharing his painting tips with recent painting seminars at decoy shows. I'm sure there are others I'm not aware of. It's very encouraging to me to see the decoy carving tradition being passed along. Thanks again. Ken
 
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A few years ago I had the opportunity to spend a day garage sale-ing with a well known Jersey carver and we ultimately ended up at Jamie's. Walking through his barn with the old boats decoys, tools, signs etc you'd think you'd uncovered a time capsule. Other than a few modern amenities you'd think the same about his house. I don't remember how old it is but it's real old and he restored it perfectly. I love his decoys too. Nice. Simple. Traditional.
 
Roy, Thanks for the video. Enjoyed it. I found it very interesting to note that Jamie Hand was schooled by Shourds and Conklin.
What I admire amoung the New Jersey contemporary carvers is their unselfish generosity to share methods, techniques, tricks and painting skills. Jamie Hand was / is neighbors with George Strunk and helped George get started with carving decoys. George passed that knowledge on to Sean Sutton and helped open doors for Sean. Sean has mentored Jode Hillman, and Sean's son is carving decoys. Jode has passed it on to Lenny Mairono. A couple of other Jersey carvers come to mind including Matt Geiss and Kevin Wharton. The New Jersey influence has spread to our midwest as I understand Geoff Vine has been influenced by Sean Sutton's work. I'm sure there are others I'm not aware of. It's very encouraging to me to see the decoy carving tradition being passed along. Thanks again. Ken
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The boys from New Jersey know how to make a beauty of a decoy. I hope to make it out there one year and hopefully meet some of the men you just mentioned.
 
Wonderful video of a style of Decoy Carving that is truly an American Art Form, that should be passed on to all who truly appreciate Duck & Goose Hunting. Truly enjoyed it.
 
Great video--gorgeous decoys.

"If they made hunting illegal tomorrow, I'd still throw my decoys out just to watch the ducks." Amen.

That's a nice little duck skiff, too.

One gripe--why'd they close the video with a shot of a shag (cormorant, in case the local terms are different)? I'm not a shag-hater like some, but it's no duck.
 
Ken

Thanks for sharing that information. I just want to clarify and add a little information. It's true that Lenny Maiorano was helped along by some of the carvers you listed, but his main mentor was Bob White. Bob should also be mentioned in this mix. He's considered the "dean" of Jersey carvers and a hell of a nice guy.

As for my influences I would agree that Sean is definitely one, George Strunk is another. I met George out at my first Tuckerton show. The following year Gearge was one of the judges that selected my Delaware River style Mallard as best of show. A real honor.

Jamie's decoys influenced me in the begininning though. His smooth forms and efficient paint jobs were where I started learning about form. I had the pleasure of talking to him a number of times at the Tuckerton show. Getting to see rigs of his decoys and listen to him talk about why he does things the way he does them was an education in itself.

But the credit for really getting me into Jersey decoys and getting me introduced to all the Jersey carvers, goes to Jode Hillman. Jode isn't afaid to share his knowledge with other people, that some might say could become competitors, or start taking away from his own decoy sales. He is open and generous. He knows that by sharing the knowledge and history he has, he will make decoy carving better as a whole. His selfless promotion of the art form is why you have seen so many folks step up in his time of need.
 
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Geoff,

I forgot about Bob White. I hope you don't mind me rehashing one of your post replies from a couple of years back regarding Bob White's decoys. You stated " Ahh yes... the BOBFATHER ! Be careful or you'll wake up with a duck head in your bed. Those east coast guys are not to be trifled with. " Every time I come across a Bob White decoy either at a show , auction catalog, or internet dealer, I always remember your quote and chuckle.

Regards, Ken
 
Geoff,

I forgot about Bob White. I hope you don't mind me rehashing one of your post replies from a couple of years back regarding Bob White's decoys. You stated " Ahh yes... the BOBFATHER ! Be careful or you'll wake up with a duck head in your bed. Those east coast guys are not to be trifled with. " Every time I come across a Bob White decoy either at a show , auction catalog, or internet dealer, I always remember your quote and chuckle.

Regards, Ken
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I was kind of wondering why Geoff refered to him as the "Dean" and not the "Don"
 
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