The Black Duck Hen pictured here was completed with a fairly complex and animated design.  Although the finish is similar to a “Decorative Smoothie” carving, the high level of feather sculpting and detailing with very refined paint elevate it to the “Decorative Decoy” class of carving.   This piece was Judged Best of Show in the Floating Decorative Decoy category at the Ohio Decoy Carvers and Collectors Association show at Strongsville, Ohio in 2016 as well as Second in Category in the Master’s level Decorative Decoy at the Ward World Championship 2016.