ETHAN WELLS

Where are you from?
I am from Lockport, Louisiana. I really like the laidback lifestyle of south Louisiana. We have some great carving shows down here and it really gives carvers a chance to learn a lot about this great art. Where I’m from there is a lot of carving and hunting, so ducks are a large part of my life.

When did you start?
I started carving when I was thirteen years old. My first duck was a green winged teal drake. As I continue carving I notice that my work is progressing from very primitive to more detailed decoys. I have only been carving for 3 years, but I have been able to push myself and never settle for anything less than my best. Now that I am older, I have work and football, but I still make time for carving. I plan on carving until I die.

Why did you start?
As a little boy I have always hung out with my grandfather. I would help him with carpentry work and around the house. I'm really close to him and when he started carving, I went to a show to watch him compete and I was hooked. I talked to him one night about starting and he said alright. The next day he picked me up for class. There I met some amazing carvers that took me under their wings and pushed me to be a better carver. Without those people, my grandfather, and my teacher Carl Danos, I wouldn’t be the carver or the person that I am today.

Favorite specie to carve?
My favorite specie is the gadwall. I like the gadwall because of difficulty of carving it. Many people are a little intimidated by the painting of the gadwall, but if you take your time and have great reference pictures it isn’t that difficult. Down here there are a lot of gadwalls being hunted so it easy to get a mount to work from.

If you compete, what level (Novice, Intermediate, Open, etc.) and Category?
I have recently moved up in class from a youth to a novice. I really liked competing at the youth level because the competition was easier but I wasn’t pushing myself to be the best that I can be. I am never content and I'm always looking to make my work better. I believe it's that striving to be better that gives me an advantage.

Most memorable win?
My most memorable win was when I beat my friend Tom Robbins with a hooded merganser at one of our local shows. Tom is one of those guys that's helped me be a better carver, and he often pushes me to do better.

Favorite Show?
Well I really enjoyed World, but my favorite show has to be our local show in Houma, Louisiana. I like to be involved with the show as much as possible. When I help out at our local shows I get to listen to the judges and use their critiques and use the information to make my carvings better.

Most influence on your carving style?
I pick up on a lot of comments from some of my fellow carvers. The people that have had the most influence on my carvings are Carl Danos, Dexter Neal, T Zeringue, Tom Robbins, and my grandfather Aubrey Eymard. These guys are always willing to help with anything to deal with carving or just life in general.

Who started you - mentor(s)?
My grandfather was the person that got me started carving. He is one of the greatest inspirations to me. My parents have also always been there to back me up and be there for me. I also have to give credit to one of the greatest carving teachers in the world Mr. Carl. He is always willing to help and lend a hand. These are some of the greatest friends and mentors that anyone can ever have.

Favorite medium? (Type of wood and paint)
Where I live tupelo is available so that is my choice of wood. I like the softness of tupelo and how it holds up while carving. I prefer carving wood but I intend to carve some cork decoys in the future. As far as paints go I use Liquitex. I find that it is a great brand of paint, but at times it can be too glossy. Another thing about Liquitex is that you have to break it down because it comes out of the tube too thick.

What are you working on now? Future plans?
At the moment I am working on a cinnamon teal hen preening, a gadwall drake, a black duck feeder, a wood duck drake, and a redhead drake. All of the ducks that I am carving are decorative. In the future I plan on carving and wigeon drake and a cackler.

Favorite style of carving ( Decorative, antique, gunners, IWCA, shorebird)
I enjoy carving decorative decoys more than gunners. I like decorative because you can put more detail into them. I rather have a decoy look real instead of something that you would hunt over. Decoratives tend to be more challenging to me, and I like that aspect of carving.

If you could add three birds to your collection, what specie and from whom?
I would like to add some local birds to my collection. I would like to have a decoy from Jet Brunet, and I would like to have a decoy from the Danos brothers. I would also like a Vizier decoy in my collection.

What, or who, insprires you?
My family really inspires me. They are what pushes me to be my best and to work hard. As far as inspirational carvers I am inspired by; Tom Matus, Pat Goddin, and many of my fellow carvers that I look up to.

Most difficult part of carving in your mind?
In my mind the most difficult part of carving is painting. I find it difficult to mix the right colors. Blending is also a problem that I have, but I practice as much as I can. The carving aspect of it is pretty easy once you figure out what you’re doing.

Name 5-10 essentials for carving

1) Knives (mostly a 3” and 2 ¼” blades)
2) Rotary Tool
3) Wood Rasp
4) Good Reference Material
5) Good Paints
6) Lots of Sandpaper
7) Good Paint Brushes
8) Music
9) Foredom
10) Quickwood