History

Ian was born on the 3rd October 1954 in Perth Scotland. He grew up in Dundee where from boyhood he practised his love of drawing wildlife, keeping pets, and playing guitar.

He majored in Science at school and studied Biology at Aberdeen University from 1973-1976. Since then he has worked in Science, Horticulture and Art.

Since discovering decoy carving in the early nineties, Ian has established himself as one of Britains's best wildlife carvers. In his first three years as a carver he competed in national carving championships where he gained ribbons for all but one of his carvings - It was a floating decoy, but unfortunately it preferred to float upside down!

Since then he has stopped competing in order to concentrate on improving detail and accuracy, and to diversify - now producing a range of styles which all have to live up to his very high standards. Ian is a perfectionist, and demands that every carving is better than the one before whatever the style he may employ.

Ian has been determined to produce study bills of the species previously unavailable and, as you will see, this project, although just started, is developing well.

There are other very exciting projects in the pipeline for this year, so keep checking out the site for updates. This is going to be a good year!

Ian's note: I want to acknowledge God as the supreme creator, and am so grateful to him for filling the earth with an endless variety of ducks and other creatures, and for blessing me with the ability to interpret his creation in wood and paint.

I also want to thank my dad Ian, my father-in-law Keith, and wife Tina, as well my daughters Hannah, Hollie and Rachel for all their encouragement and advice.