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History, Culture & Craftsmanship
• Craftsmanship |
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What was commonplace two generations ago (the art of making what was needed rather than buying it) is quickly fading under a flood of cheap — and cheaply manufactured — imports.
However, wherever there are people who care about quality and maintain a careful link to their past as well as the land, you will find master craftsmen.
(DON BROWN, DECOY MAKER)
• DON BROWN, raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, helped his father create decoys when he was but 12 years old. In the mid-fifties, Brown began to make his own style of decoys, selling his first mantle-quality pieces (a pair of mallards) to a collector in 1957.
It was not until 1973 that making, selling and selling decoys became a serious hobby. Brown became a regular at the National Wildlife Art Shows of the Kansas City area. His work has earned several Best of Show awards over the years.
Decoys created by Don Brown have been presented as awards and gifts to many folks, including President George H.W. Bush.
Now a Ducks Unlimited Life Sponsor, Don Brown is retired from his pharmacist career.
Here's what Brown has to say about his cork hunting-rig-style decoys:
"The first decoys I learned to make were cork. In 1947, the cork was surplus from World War II. The patterns I make these decoys from are similar to those I used in the 1950s. They represent decoy-making heritage."
The decoys have a hand-made cork body with a wooden head, tail, bottom-board and keel. They are then sealed, textured with primer, then hand-painted with acrylics.
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STATE OF THE OZARKS CRAFTSMANSHIP SHOWCASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
DON BROWN
1031 W. RIVERSIDE STREET
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807
DON BROWN
DECOY MAKER
DECOY MAKER
Photo credit, J. Heston.