One more introduction

Keith Mueller

Keith Mueller

Active member
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Keith Mueller, I am a native New Englander and my home is in Killingworth, CT. I am a professional decoy carver/artist whcih I have made my living from this wonderful artform for over thirty-five years. Unfortunately, I haven't built any duck boats for my own hunting, but I have had many made for me over these many years. These boats include many New England gunning dories and skiffs, a custom made cedar and oak Karl Kristiansen (from North Jersey) sneakbox, and recently I was a partner in a stunning 22 foot sea class Simmons sea skiff which was made especially for sea duck hunting.

Besides decoys, I am a "flat painter" which have included duck stamp prints for the CT and Rhode Island duck stamp programs, and I have authored two books which are entitled; "Waterfowl Concepts" and my most recently published- "The Art in Making Decoys"-Book 1.

Thera are many names on this forum that I know and are familiar with, and it has been my pleasure having correspondence with them over the years. Like many on this forum, I have unfortunately decided to end my participation on the DCF after many years of good fellowship and friendships for the reasons that I am sure that many are aware of.

Because I believe that forums such as "duckboats" are a great privaledge and are important; I want to personally thank everyone for having such a venue for all of us to exchange ideas and to help one another with civility and integrity. I donate my decoys and carvings for fundraising to many orginizations to help offset production costs, and I would be very happy to do the same on "duckboats" if that is appropriate.

If anyone has any questions about decoy carving, please don't hesitate to ask, it would be my pleasure to help in any way I can.

Once again, thank you for offering this great venue.

Regards,

Keith

I tried to post an image, but it didn't appear......I am not familiar with the procedure.
 
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Kieth, it is nice to have you on the forum. I received your new book for Christmas, and I throughly enjoyed it, especially the decoys that are a marriage of the regional old-timers and the ideas of your own. Having a love for traditional, regional duckboats and decoys go hand in hand.

A friend asked me what made the complete waterfowler, so I asked what his definition was. He said someone who enjoys monkeying around with all aspects and the equipment the sport involves, by either making it or pursuing it, and savors the traditions that developed it.

On this site are many such hunters, and based on what you wrote on this site and what I read in your book, you are surely one of us. Welcome!
 
I remember using pictures of your work as my model for some early decoy painting...(and before Lou Tisch says it..."and even with photo references like that I still couldn't get it right")

:)

Welcome aboard sir

Scott
 
Keith, Welcome, welcome, welcome. I look forward to seeing your posts here. There is a sticky thread on the main page for posting pics. I expect to be ordering your new book soon.....................Best wishes, Kevin
 
Kieth-
Welcome aboard. Neat to see all these new carvers on here - great motivation for us hacks. Gets me wondering if there is "something afoot at the Circle K" (famous movie quote - anyone know it?) to get all this talent here at one time.
Hopefully you will post some of your art.
Derek
 
Welcome aboard. Even those of us who dont carve easily recognize your name and have seen your work. Thanks for bringing your talents to the DHBP.
 
Welcome aboard, nice to have you here.
I hope you can get the posting of pictures down soon. It can be a little tricky the first time.

Tim
 
Welcome aboard Keith, I to have purchased your new book and have been reading and trying to absorb all the info that I can before I begin carving. I'm sure your talent, and eagerness to help others, will be a great addition to this site.
 
Its starting to look like 'WE' have one of the best collection of "top shelf" carvers on the net. I know that we had some of the "GREATS" before, but now its a stampede......:):)
 
Welcome aboard Keith, this site is starting to look like the who's who of the duck hunting world.
Maybe now I will be inspired to finish finish my black duck rig.
 
Keith

Welcome! Great to have you. There are a few ways to post pictures, some of which are covered in the help forum, click on the 'Main index' at the top left, and scroll all the way down.

Chuck
 
HI MIke,

Thank you for the welcome......and I am glad that you are enjoying the book. It is so great to be able to make a living from our legacy and heritage of waterfowling. Whether we make decoys, boats, calls, guns, raising and training fine waterfowling dogs it is truly a wonderful way to maintain and nurture our great heritage.

Thank you again for the welcome and your kind words.

Thank you Scott.....I hope those pictures did end up helping you! I would love to see some of your decoys!

Thanks Kevin, When you order my book, let my publisher know, I will be glad to Remarque and inscribe it for you.

Thank you Derek, there are no hacks in decoy carving, only spirited and passionate carvers and sculptors who love what they do! Would love to see some of your work!

Thank you Carl, it's entirely my pleasure!

John, Thank you; it was on your recommendation that I joined. I appreciate that! I just love your birds......pure art and composition!

Thank you Tim, I am going to get the image posting thing down, and I will post a few pictures. Thanks for the welcome!

Hi Charlie, and Thank you! I hope my book helps and inspires you to create great decoy art! Let me know if I can help!

Hi Jode, its been a while! Thank you for the welcome......I missed seeing your great birds on that "other" forum!

Thank you John, and I look forward to contributing!

Thank you Phil, I appreciate your help, and I will follow the info you sent me.

Thank you Bill. Inspiration is my middle name....I would love to see your black duck rig, and see it finished especially floating on those beautiful Long Island marshes.

Hi Micheal, I will be there!! I hope you have a few "surprises" in hand......would love to catch up! See you in a couple of months.

Thank You Chuck, I appreciate your help.

Hi Willie, Thanks for the welcome. I hope you had a successful duck season.

How have you been Zach, I missed your posts on the DCF, how is school? Did you get much gunning in?

Keith
 
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Welcome Keith

It's nice to have another master on board. I'm embarrassed to say I have not carved one decoy yet but with all you experts on hand I'm going to have to start. I just purchased some new knives and other tools to get started.So, look for my awkward looking carving at some point in the near future to critique.
 
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