Through a legacy of sculptures that celebrate the magnificence of nature’s delicate grace, Eric Kaiser, an award-winning master carver, will offer a glimpse into his world with an exploration of the art of bird carving. European settlers adopted the innovation of the decoy from Native Americans. From the primitive abstract forms made of wood by the pioneers, bird carving as an art developed in America. Kaiser will take you on a trip from the early days of market gunning and the colorful characters and methods of the day, to the influence of some of our fledgling efforts at conservation legislation. The popularity of early decoy competitions has led to carvings being much more than hunting tools. Nowadays a number of artists take part in creating beautiful realistic pieces of avian art in the practice of this wonderful genre. Kaiser will follow this look into yesterday by illustrating the magic of contemporary bird carving today. He will share with you how he transforms a block of wood into a bird that seems alive. Prepare to be amazed!
