GARY DOVIAK

Where are you from?
I am from a small town in upstate New York, Perth, at the base of the Adirondack Mountains.

When did you start?
I started carving around 1974 when my interest in duck hunting prompted me to buy Bruce Burke's book. That book helped me to carve my first pair of gunning decoys, a pair of hooded mergansers.

Why did you start?
I started carving through a combination of a few things. I worked summers for my uncle who was a fine cabinet maker and carpenter. My interest in making things with wood and love for duck hunting seemed to come together during my lunch hours when I began carving decoys and miniatures with Stanley knives. My "formal" instruction came mostly from Bruce Burke's book.

Favorite specie to hunt?
After thinking about it a minute or two I really don't have a favorite specie to hunt. Just being out in the marsh hunting with my son, brother or friends is motivation enough to hunt waterfowl.

If you compete, what level (Novice, Intermediate, Open, etc.) and Category?
I compete at the open level.

Most memorable win?
I think my most memorable win was way back in 1976 when I won a few ribbons at the first decoy contest I entered, the Clayton International. After the judging, a collector came up to me and wanted to buy my decoys. The simple fact that others enjoy my carving continues to inspire me to this day.

Favorite Show?
I really like any show I attend, as the opportunity to see old friends and be inspired by the work I see at different shows makes each one very rewarding.

Most influence on your carving style?
I'm not sure there was any one influence on my carving style. I really tried to study and learn from many different individuals when I first began.

Who started you - mentor(s)?
I was "encouraged" to carve my first competition decoys by Gerald Knapp of Clayton, NY. He was the first to point out that the heads on my hooded mergansers needed to be a little wider than the 1" pine I carved them out of. He kept me on the right track.

Favorite medium? (Type of wood and paint)
White cedar and acrylics.

What are you working on now? Future plans?
Currently working on several gunners for the East Carolina show and hope to have several ideas for miniatures out of my head and into carved pieces soon.

Favorite style of carving ( Decorative, antique, gunners, IWCA, shorebird)
I have to say my favorite style is probably gunners with miniatures a close second.

If you could add three birds to your collection, what specie and from whom?
If I could add three decoys to my collection they would be: any Ward decoy, a Keith Mueller eider and a JB Garton black duck. (I believe my Canadian friend JB Garton was one of the very first Ward World Champions).

Most difficult part of carving in your mind?
For me the most difficult part of carving is mixing paint and getting the colors right.

What, or who, inspires you?
I am inspired after attending any decoy show and carving competition by the new creations that show up each and every year by new and experienced carvers.

Name 5-10 essentials for carving
Time
Live reference in the form of aviary birds
Frozen study birds
Mounts
Reference pictures for attitude, shape, etc.
Critiques or constructive criticisms from those whose opinions I value
Good wood
Sharp tools
Good lighting
And did I mention, time
Sharp tools