ROB SCHWARTZ (RobS)
Where are you from?
Originally from Cambridge (Galt), Ontario, Canada, but I have lived in many places, and for the past 23 years that has been near Calgary on the Whitewolf Ranch, a dog training and game bird shooting preserve I started in 1994-5.
When did you start?
Two hard rock miners from Sudbury, Ontario introduced me to pond jumping and pass shooting ducks in about 1978 and we met a 3rd hunter who hunted big water with decoys, so after one season I originally set out to make 100 scaup and goldeneye dekes.
Why did you start?
I figured it would be cheaper to make 100 wooden decoys than buy plastic ones. Boy was I wrong - but it took me 30 years and thousands of dollars to find out.
Favorite specie to carve?
Too many to list. Love doing pins. mallards, widgeon and shovelers which are our prevalent waterfowl in the west, but still have a soft spot for black ducks and woodies from my early hunting days in Northern Ontario. Guess I like them all!
Favorite specie to hunt?
Mallards and pins which are so abundant here that hardly anyone shoots any other species. We can be selective and only shoot drakes.
If you compete, what level (Novice, Intermediate, Open, etc.) and Category?
Open competitor for the last 3 years. Entered a World shooting rig in Ocean City at Worlds for the past two years but I also usually compete in the CDC division. Have entered decoratives in past and see no reason why I wouldn't enter hunting decoys and even Contemporary antiques in the future.
Most memorable win?
2007 Worlds with 2nd in Species for both black ducks and mallards in CD division.
Favorite Show?
Worlds
Most influence on your carving style?
Everyone! Everything I know about carving and painting I learned from someone else. We don't have the history of waterfowl carving in western Canada like US carvers of the Chesepeake would have. With the exception of the Maritimes, Great Lakes area and perhaps Lake Winipeg and the Delta in British Columbia, decoy use is not very prevalent. I saw a decoy carved and painted in about 1978-9 by Orest Andrews, a commercial artist near Sudbury (and dog trainer), when I was field trialing in those years and decided to try it. Shooting ducks over water in Alberta is often frowned upon by many landowners for it is considered their rest area. Many farmers will invite you to shoot them on stubble and field shoots when the crops are at risk or after the harvest.
I carved in isolation for 20 years and made a lot of anatomy mistakes. I tend to make what pleases me so don't pay much attention to techniques used by others although I steal what I can and modify it to my style or technique.
For the last 3 years or so I have been texturing with paste every feather on my predominantly "working" birds because the effect pleases me. I also use glazing (or structured blending) techniques rather than blend colors for I like the result better than I am able to achieve with blends. I don't have to do these things but that is my particular like at this time so I do it, although I don't know of another carver who utilizes these techniques to the extent I do. Competitors have told me not to do it for it is not necessary, but I want my work to be different than the rest, so I tend to do what pleases me.
Who started you - mentor(s)?
A world champion taxidermist Ken Morrison taught me taxidermy in Northern Ontario and a friend of his was Paul Burdette who influenced Ken to experiment with carving. Ken encouraged me to also try carving for you could walk away from it for a few days (unlike competitive taxidermy) without it deteriorating. I found it very relaxing, so carved recreationally for 20 years before entering my first novice competition in 2002.
(Saskatoon 9 birds, carver 0 ribbons)
Mentors...I have been very fortunate as are most carvers in that seasoned carvers are very generous with their time and techniques, so I have been helped by pretty much everyone I have met since starting to compete. Guess the first to encourage me to compete was local carver Malcolm Ho You, a devoted Keith Mueller protege/student. In 2003 I was traveling on my Harley with my 16 year old son, and a life long friend arranged a BBQ with her neighbor, Pat Godin. As I was new to competing, Pat referred me to the DCF where I met Pat Eubanks, Lori Corbett and eventually even Keith Mueller, who have all influenced me. Pat Godin has become a friend, mentor and hunting partner for the past 4 seasons and actually introduced me to the Worlds in 2004 for the first time. Oddly enough, 30 years ago when Ken Morrison and Orest Andrews and I sat around sometimes with Paul Burdette and discussed taxidermy and carving, the topic of an incredible young carver from Paris Ontario came up. Thirty years later things have come full circle, and I can now call that younger (by 6 months) carver a friend, mentor and great influence.
Favorite medium? (Type of wood and paint)
Tupelo and Traditions acrylics, but I don't restrict myself for I am now working on a cedar bird which I will paint in oil (for the first time in 15 years.
What are you working on now? Future plans?
Labrador duck.
If it isn't fun I won't do it, so I love the way this medium changes and grows as my skill and knowledge increase. I see it as a life long learning opportunity.
Favorite style of carving ( Decorative, antique, gunners, IWCA, shorebird)
Was IWCA, but lately (2 years) I have been enjoying stepping out of the rules and doing extreme undercuts and unsupported fragile stuff for the Worlds.
I guess some species just don't look right to me without an extreme undercut primary (wigeon, pins, woodies).
If you could add three birds to your collection, what specie and from whom?
Vizier-coot/pintail, shoveler
Mueller-King eider drake, or any eider
Godin-hen pintail, or any hen
Christie- gadwall
So I can't count or make up my mind - I don't like restrictions!
Most difficult part of carving in your mind?
Research, design and development. I want a species, pose and attitude that stand out. Once I settle on a species, I want to know the character (essence of species) inside out to give my interpretation of that bird. The carving and painting are secondary and easier than coming up with the artistic concept for me.
What, or who, inspires you?
Everyone - especially at the Worlds. With such diversity and talent I come home wired to create.
Name 5-10 essentials for carving
Good proportion, field marks, attitude, bold design, unique interpretation, flow, clean, contrasts, softness, lines, direct eye (focal interest points)