Creekside Art Gallery Blog

Since the dawn of time, living creatures faithfully responded to seasonal climatic changes. In early spring birds gathered one by one in the South, assembling into large flocks anxious to begin their journey north. Months later, Mother Nature’s hints of approaching wintry weather urged them to once again return south. Humans always noticed and were amazed by the great migrations. There was something magical in the annual passing of massive numbers of winged travelers. Like the songbirds and waterfowl he so loved to carve, James Lapham also migrated with the seasons. More »

DR. JAMES McCLEERY "patted his feathered wooden friends goodbye" and sent them out into the world again. One by one, over thirty years, Jim had carefully selected each duck, goose and shorebird decoy he brought to his Pasadena, Texas home. Shorebirds were approximately one-half of Jim’s collection, with ducks and geese from all North American hunting regions making up the balance. His emphasis was on working decoys. They encompassed examples from the major factories as well as many prominent makers and excellent examples of unknown folk art. He loved each wooden bird nearly as much as he adored his live feathered and furred housemates. And, when his collecting was done, he determined that they go, one by one again, into new homes, those of his good friends, acquaintances, and others he had not met but who are kindred spirits. More »

Thousands of individuals and over one hundred factories produced millions of waterfowl decoys after the idea began over two millenium ago. Of that multitude of makers, how many went far beyond the typical decoy in creative efforts to make miniature ducks and other decoy related artifacts? The answer is a very small percentage. Of those, how many fashioned not only quality lures but also a wider variety of folk sculptures distinguishing them from the norm? Only a handful did and they have become recognized for their special contributions. These legends include Elmer Crowell, Ira Hudson, Charles Perdew, The Ward Brothers, Shang Wheeler and Gus Wilson, all prolific masters. More »