Jim Schmiedlin scaup-early years

Great bird!


My favorite species - Jim nailed two of the key ingredients: The nice full, upright crown and the back feathers grading darker aft.


Thanks!


SJS

 
RL,

Thanks for posting that photo.



The first time I met Jim, and became aware of his decoys was 1982, at the Pymatuning Waterfowl Festival. He had a table set up in the fire hall, next to a mutual friend.

Well, when I looked at and picked up his decoys my eyes about popped out, and I thought OK this guy is functioning on a very intense level.

About that time, and a few years down the line, everything about making and carving gunning decoys changed for me, and for many others.


His influence was, and still is that Strong.

He set the bar very high...



VP
 
Steve, you are right, it does represent the species very well: perfect lines overall and the head just puts a point on all the rest, from paint to silhouette. I think it is interesting he pulled the breast color so far back into the cape and shoulders...

Steve Sanford said:
Great bird!


My favorite species - Jim nailed two of the key ingredients: The nice full, upright crown and the back feathers grading darker aft.


Thanks!


SJS
Click to expand...
 
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The paint balances the bird.

The artists freedom of expression, and what Jim did best.

At gunning distance and in hand it works, and that is what a Very Good Decoy does.


my 2 cents
 
Ken, thanks for posting that photo.! Here is an adjunct question to you folks who knew him well: How many decoys a year did he, on average, turn out? Did he ever carve in a medium other than wood?
 
Good morning, Ken~


Very cool! A very nice gunner.


Question: It looks like the grain runs right through the nostril - and not along the length of the bill. Do you know if Jim ever switched his procedure for the stronger bill?


All the best,


SJS

 

Ken,

Thanks for the photo.

Like all carver/makers that stick with it for the long haul. Jim went through the process, progress, stages, and evolving.


Some will recall the gatherings Jim would have in his suite, at the Westlake Show. Most times standing room only.

Sitting in chairs and at the table, were some of the best of the best. Always good food and drink for fuel.

One point of interest I remember was Paul Busick, while sitting at the large table saying. "Ducks will decoy to black painted Clorox bottles."

All pretty much agreed, and then the conversation moved on.


The decoy that you posted, is a very good improvement upon that statement. [;)]

Those oldies, but goodies had a special place in his heart.

The man never forget where he came from.



VP
 
Vince, I think with inflation and the value of your comments you should should be saying "my nickles worth"!! Seriously though your comments are always "right on the money". I always enjoy the pics of your decoys and artwork. Sandy
 
Sandy,

At times I think I've been around to long...

I just try to pass along the wonderful friendships and education that waterfowling & The Lord have given me.


still 2 cents [;)]
Vince
 
Rick:

Good questions. I've often wondered myself, in that Jim was not a commercial carver, only making decoys for his personal use, selling some each year to cover his hunting expenses. He worked full time for 40 years at a Pittsburgh brewery, had a family, and carved in his spare time. In 2004 Hunting/Fishing Collectibles mag. had an article featuring Jim where he stated at that time that he made over 1000 decoys in 39 years. Simple math yields about 26 decoys a year.

Regarding your second question, I don't know. He did carve decorative birds, some with detailed feather burning, and he did some flat art both on driftwood and on the underside of some decoratives. Pat Gregory might be better able to answer both questions.


Ken Zaborski
 
Actually, I found my notes...no mention of Jim's decoys in them. The head pattern is a preener that was modified from another scaup pattern from Murphy's workbook.

I found the summary construction overview instruction book from Murphy's plan kit. It was copyrighted in 1979, so it MAY have served as a reference source for Jim's early birds, prior his sequential shift to more stylized decoys and patterns from his own hands.

Yes, I am THAT bored, convalescing via a semi-stationary existence to heal some broken ribs...pretty much a wall-to-wall ice rink up here right now.
 
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In reply to Jim?s bluebill. That is an 80s bird. I have 5 bluebills from the very 1st rig. Painted eyes Circa 1974 1975. Season. Moose also has 5. And a very good friend of ours in California has 1. Moose and I where Jim?s 1st and 2nd mates. And it was a pleasure when Pat Gregory or the Erie boys gunned with us I also have a lot of footage of us gunning I was very lucky to have hunted over his rig for so many yrs The layout boat is stilled used but only on special occasions. I have so many story about Jim from us moving huge boulders to his house to a blind bass in his lake that would swim in his hand and he would feed it minnows by hand. His name was Steve. He helped me a lot with carving and it?s always nice when someone says they see his influence in my work
 
Vic, thanks so much for providing a little peak into the life of a special carver, and, from a variety of people who knew him, excellent human being as well. Please post some of your birds, if you feel inclined to do so. Also, do you know what Jim sealed his birds with? I've always marveled at his approach to vermiculation...
 
Your right Jim was a tremendous talent But also also a gentleman but also one tough son of a bitch. Everyone who knows me knows I don?t do all this computer stuff but I would like to tell a story Yrs ago Ky Kraus came to me and said Hey if you want a Schmiedlin decoy you better get up to his room. So I did There was a beautiful drake Mallard left on the bed. I bought it and asked him to sign it He asked my name and we walked away from the always party in his room As it was just me and him I for dumb reason I blurted out do you need your house painted or your garden put in ? And he said what ? Well I came back with I known you don?t give lessons but I would bust my ass painting or whatever if you could point me in the right direction on my decoys. ( as I was somewhat shaking ) Well he took my phone #. About a week or two later he called me and told me to come over. All I can say is after that trip driving home (1hr 10 min ) I remember thinking now I know how the explorers felt after finding king tuts tomb. His place was to much to take in 1 trip Jim was a guy that you had to prove yourself if you wanted to hang with him So after many trips to his house he finally asked if I would like to go layout gunning with him and Moose. After that trip
I was told I was part of the team the 3 of us gunned for over a decade I?m out of room for your question
 
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