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Some of The Best Fish Carvers in |
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1957 - 2011 Heythuysen, NETHERLANDS Simon's fascination for nature and wildlife have influenced his whole life.
His driving urge to create in many different media, convinced him to branch out and start his own company in the south of Holland. Sculpture, painting, woodcarving and taxidermy have earned him International success and notoriety and his works can be seen in many Museums, visitor centers and private collections around the world. Simon has entered his fish carvings at the World Fish Carving Championships, and has three Best in World titles. Click HERE to visit Simon's website.Click here to view St. Petersburg, RUSSIA 
"In my work I use the only "warm" material in the Andrei's website is down right now, so I am unable to provide more information about him. He has always been a consistent winner at the World Fish Carving Championships.
La Mesa, California,U.S.A. Lance Lyons has been a wildlife artist for over 20 years, and with his first carving he took second place at the World Fish Being a second generation taxidermist and fish mount artist for the world renowned studio of Lyons and O'Haver has given Lance the opportunity to study the anatomy of fish extensively and accurately. Years of fishing worldwide has added to his knowledge and has accelerated his career. Lance's specialty is fine art wood sculptures which are precise in accuracy right down to individually carved scales, fin rays and wrinkles. |
Carving Championships and has won numerous awards since. In 1998, Lance took First Place and Best of Show at the Pacific Southwest Wildfowl Arts California Open Nationals, and in 2001, took Best in World at the World Fish Carving Championships.Novi, Michigan, U. S. A.
(1964 - 2008)
"I was blessed for being around him."
Professional wildlife artist Ed Walicki was an award winning artist in sculptures in urethane, wood and stone for over 20 years. Known best for his work in aquatic wildlife reproductions Ed’s realistic sculptures won Best
of Show honors for a record four consecutive years at the Great Lakes Fish Decoy Association World Competition and a Best of Show at the Ward Foundation Fish Carving Competition, as well as numerous national and international awards. Working from his studios in Novi and Grayling Michigan Ed specialized in collectable fine art
fish sculptures and nature themed commercial exhibits. His comprehensive in-house mold making and casting capabilities provided additional production benefits for his clients still today. His work is on display in galleries, museums and private collections around the world. with furthering the art form, is Ed Walicki." In addition to his original sculptures, Ed has pioneered a full line of fish carving instructional materials, tools, and products used by professional wood carvers and sculptors worldwide. Ed also taught hands-on classes in woodcarving, stone carving, urethane carving and mold making and casting in his Novi, Michigan home and his retreat/fish camp in Grayling, Michigan. 
than anyone ever did, even today." Those who knew Ed as a teacher were blessed with his willingness to share new ideas and concepts that he had learned himself, making for a wonderful learning environment. Ed constantly pushed the envelope with what could be done in making molds and casting materials. He will be not only remembered for his beautiful fish creations, but for his willingness to share an idea or lend a hand in whatever creation his friends or students were working on. He will be remembered as someone with a driving passion for creating beautiful fish, a tremendous love for his "Kirs", and son Kyle, and as an ardent and gifted fly-fisherman. for creating beautiful fish." 
I knew Ed very well and talked with him and Kirsten up until his death. I miss him greatly and he and I talked almost
daily. Ed kept trying to convert me to fish carving but I just couldn't exchange feathers for scales, I suppose. Ed had no idea that I was a minister until after my first week long class with
him and we were on our way back to the airport. He so appreciated how I viewed ministry and it allowed him to be Ed up until the day he died. What a fighter he was as well! He really believed he was going to whip his cancer . He had an exceptional mind, and I mean exceptional. Ed, passed away in 2008 and his DVD’s on carving/mold making are still recognized as some of the best on the market as well as his fish carving reproduction casts and other aids. His wife Kirsten and son Kyle, continue to the business today and are still actively selling Ed’s products. |
 Text courtesy Kerry Smith Kerry Smith is an accomplished bird carver and sculptor, who lives in Memphis, Tennessee Click HERE to visit Kerry's website. Photographs courtesy Kirsten Walicki, Howell, Michigan |
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Sebago, Maine,U.S.A. Gene spent his childhood in Alabama and developed a lifelong love of nature and wildlife. His grandfather taught Gene how
Gene has devoted his creative efforts to portraying wildlife in beautiful and creative ways that make environmental statements and inspire people to think about clean water, the "Catch and Release" program, endangered species and above all to appreciate the beauty of nature. Click HERE to visit Gene's website.Barrington, New Hampshire,U.S.A. Some of my earliest memories are of fishing with my dad on Craddock Creek – a quiet inlet on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
whose waters nearly entered our backdoor. On this peninsula, located between the Chesapeake Bay
By the age of nine, I fished regularly for red drum, cobia, speckled trout, summer flounder, weakfish, spot and croaker. For a
After college, I spent some time working in France and served a stint in the venture capital industry. But it was a 24-inch speckled trout that I caught in the mouth of Craddock Creek that pointed me in the direction of my true calling -- one that incorporates my love of fishing, my fondness of paint and color and my belief in preservation. I carve fish in the tradition of the great trophy fish carvers – John B. Russell, John and Dhuie Tully, P.D. Malloch and the Hardy Brothers. I am inspired not only to continue this tradition but also, through my work, to promote the preservation of all fish species. Click HERE to visit Ellen's website.Nanoose Bay, British Columbia, CANADA A fitting name for a wildlife artist. Teom Lim translated from his ancient Hainan dialect means "deep wilderness". Since his
His career as a wildlife artist started as a bet from a friend. Since then Teom has won and successfully defended the Canadian Fish Carving Championship title four times. He has also captured two blue ribbons at the World Fish Carving Championships. As demand for Teom's art increases, he finds it difficult to keep up with competition pieces and commission work. Upon advice from other artists, Teom has begun to reproduce his work in signed and numbered copies. Click HERE to visit Teom's website.Nisswa, Minnesota U.S.A. 
Jeff's expertise in taxidermy at a young age, soon lead to opportunities
Jeff's understanding of nature coupled with his exceptional artistic talent enable him to carve a wide range of subjects from freshwater to saltwater fish to decorative birds and decoys. With his passion and attention to detail, Jeff creates one of a kind carvings that capture the essence of the species perfectly. 
MIKE WINDAUERPolson, Montana, U.S.A. Mike has been a consistent winner at the World Fish Carving Championships, with several major wins. In 1997 he won Third in World Decorative Lifesize with three Graylings. In 2001 at the worlds, he was successful in winning Second in World Decorative Lifesize with a Brown Trout. Mike won another major award in 2003, Third in World Decorative Lifesize with a Steelhead carving.
Woodland Park, Colorado, U.S.A. 
Cyril won big in 2001 at the World Fish Carving Championships. He not only took Best in World Decorative Miniature with a Golden Trout carving, but also Best in World Natural Finish with a Trout and Fly carving. As a member of "Champions for Trout", he carved a miniature Colorado Cutthroat Trout, and it was on display at the 2007 World show in Reno. In 2008, his carving, with five other fish carvings were auctioned off on Ebay. The money raised will help support selected conservation efforts that enhance and or protect wild fish populations. Sparks, Nevada, U.S.A. 
Bill won Third in World at the 2001 World Fish Carving Championships, with a Steelhead carving. 
1997- he won Third in Trout, Salmon and Char Division, Decorative Lifesize with a Brown Trout. 1999- First in Trout, Salmon and Char Division, Decorative Lifesize with a Brook Trout. 2007- Second in Trout, Salmon and Char Division, Decorative Lifesize with a High Mountain Cutthroat.
Bigfork, Montana, U.S.A. In the beginning of his career at age 24, he won Best in World at the 1992 World Fish Carving Championships, with his wood 
Eric's bronze wildlife sculptures, figurative sculptures, paintings & prints are featured worldwide in publications and TV. Major corporations, celebrities and private collectors enthusiastically collect his bronze wildlife sculptures, figurative sculptures, paintings & prints. Sales of his wildlife sculptures has generated millions of dollars in contributions to non profit organizations. Eric's subjects for bronze wildlife sculptures, figurative sculptures, paintings & prints are diverse, but are often focused on human and animal subjects. Eric also enjoys painting landscapes. His main gallery is located in Bigfork, Montana. Click HERE to visit Eric Thorsen Gallery. |
and the Atlantic Ocean, fishing, crabbing and clamming were a way of life – for pleasure as much as necessity.
sculpture called "Mystery of the Redd". Soon after he was introduced to clay and the real excitement began. He soon began producing literally hundreds of clay sculptures to be cast in bronze. His sculptures are highly acclaimed, winning him awards and honors nationwide.