GOLDEN AGE FISH DECOYS - by CB Lewis
ANTIQUE FOLK ART STYLE inspired PERCH from Steven Michaan's book ' AMERICAN FISH DECOYS...I finished this fish to give it the look and feel of a late 19th century decoy...Part of my personal collection..'
About Golden Age Decoys Lake Chautauqua inspired Fish Decoys CLICK ON THE PICS TO ENLARGE
I create these wild and whimsical NY style folk art fish decoys from salvaged materials. I give each and every one of my fish personality that fits their form...The body is carved from red pine flooring reclaimed from 19th century, Bucks County barns and farm houses.
The copper fins are crafted of salvaged copper rain gutter and early toilet tank liners. The tails are cut from old leather U.S. Postal Delivery bags. Even the eyes are old and salvaged from old lures, ivory bead necklaces, old shoe buttons, brass tacks, bone and so on.
From the design concept to the final hand rubbed finish I take pride in my creations. The whimsical forms are carved by hand and most are one of a kind. I don't like to make any 2 the same.
The copper fins are carefully cut and smoothed by hand, then hand hammered in the "Arts and Crafts" tradition. Fins are secured in the decoy body slots with concealed copper pins but when ever possible the fins are incorporated with the lead pour while weighting and balancing the decoy.
My decoys are balanced to be working decoys....The leather tails are also pinned in the body tail slot securely. After the assembly is complete the fish take a position on window sills, cupboards and shelves. Each one comes to the paint bench one at a time and it’s here where they take on a personality of their own. I paint them in the species their form evokes... then coat them with my own recipe oil base varnish…You see, from the design table to the hand rubbed finish my creations are a passion as well as a part of me......CB Lewis
I create these wild and whimsical NY style folk art fish decoys from salvaged materials. I give each and every one of my fish personality that fits their form...The body is carved from red pine flooring reclaimed from 19th century, Bucks County barns and farm houses.
The copper fins are crafted of salvaged copper rain gutter and early toilet tank liners. The tails are cut from old leather U.S. Postal Delivery bags. Even the eyes are old and salvaged from old lures, ivory bead necklaces, old shoe buttons, brass tacks, bone and so on.
From the design concept to the final hand rubbed finish I take pride in my creations. The whimsical forms are carved by hand and most are one of a kind. I don't like to make any 2 the same.
The copper fins are carefully cut and smoothed by hand, then hand hammered in the "Arts and Crafts" tradition. Fins are secured in the decoy body slots with concealed copper pins but when ever possible the fins are incorporated with the lead pour while weighting and balancing the decoy.
My decoys are balanced to be working decoys....The leather tails are also pinned in the body tail slot securely. After the assembly is complete the fish take a position on window sills, cupboards and shelves. Each one comes to the paint bench one at a time and it’s here where they take on a personality of their own. I paint them in the species their form evokes... then coat them with my own recipe oil base varnish…You see, from the design table to the hand rubbed finish my creations are a passion as well as a part of me......CB Lewis
