First I would like to thank everyone who has taken their time to visit this site. It
is a great joy for me to share my interest in decoys with the many great people I have met through my work.
I am a married father of two , who besides
carving and duck hunting, enjoys spending time with my family, fishing, reading, and exploring the N.J.
Pine Barrens.
In addition to carving decoys I am also a professional cabinet
maker. I began working with wood at the age of 12 beside my Dad in his cabinet shop. This helped instill
in me a deep appreciation for handmade goods, and the efforts that go into making them.
When I began carving my own decoys, it was to augment
my hunting rig. My early decoys made up for in size what they lacked in grace. I still have several gigantic
2x4 geese that served me well in the field. I dabbled intermittently with various media and forms for a couple
years, producing nothing particularly noteworthy. This changed however after
I met and began learning from carver Sean Sutton, of Paulsboro, N.J.
I consider Sean a master and his
early influence has helped shape the course of my work. (See a feature on Sean in the Nov-Dec
2004 issue of Decoy Magazine. ) In the years since meeting Sean I have focused my efforts on the Delaware
River style decoy, which has a long and revered history in the area I call home.
The grace and simple beauty of the Delaware River
style cannot be overstated. I count it a privilege to follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest carvers
in history and to make this style of decoy with my own special flair and artistry. Perhaps Rod Taylor
of "Hunting and Fishing Collectibles Magazine" said it best, " ......most of Hillman's decoys are in the traditional
Delaware River style, but with enough style to make each quite unique to his workshop."
This page is
dedicated to my father Edwin W. Hillman, who passed away in July 2007. Not only did he teach me the skills of wood working,
but of life. Among them faith, true friendship, and quality in whatever you do. Thanks Dad!
I do the lion's share of my carving work with old , but very useable hand tools.
Many of which were passed down to me from my father and great-grandfather. For me it is a nice balance
to my cabinet work. Though I truly enjoy cabinet making, the dust and noise of modern
power equipment cannot be avoided. Carving decoys with the traditional techniques I use
is a joyous retreat. The efficient use of drawknife and spokeshave, while not the fastest way to carve,
is a relaxing and time honored method of prodcing decoys. All my decoys are made from clear kiln-dried white cedar,
which lends itself well to these methods.
For painting I choose the traditional approach once again. My
decoys are hand painted, by brush, using only the finest quality oil paint. Oil produces a lustre and patina unmatched
by any other media.
This traditional approach has worked
well for me, with my decoys growing in desirability and value with each passing year. I will continue to
produce a limited number of decoys for the discriminating client, keeping in mind my goal to uphold
the tradition of fine Delaware River decoys.
In addition to this website
more of my work can be seen in an article by Allen Linkchorst in the MAY/JUNE 2006 issue of
"Decoy Magazine" and on the 2006 NJ Waterfowl stamp which features one of my Wood Duck decoys.
All Content Copyright Hillman Decoys 2008. All rights reserved.
