For the ducks.

It’s no secret that I love ducks. If you walk in my house, you’re instantly greeted by decoys, waterfowl paintings, and some throw pillows with ducks on them. I even own a shorthair that loves them just as much as me.

You see, my love of ducks is a little sentimental, and I have my late-grandaddy, whom I affectionally called Papa (“Paw-Paw”), to thank for that. He was also an engineer and a proud NC State graduate. We shared a love of ducks, bird dogs, card playing, the NC State Wolfpack, and tootsie rolls.

Growing up, my parents would often ship me off to my grandparent’s retirement house on the ICW to spend my school breaks. Their house overlooked the south end of Topsail Island, and it was FILLED with decoys and waterfowl art. Those breaks I got to spend with him there were often spent road-tripping to the Outer Banks, McClellanville, South Carolina, and even as far as Easton, Maryland to go find a decoy. He was known to always locate the nearest Hardee’s for a hot dog and a “junk store” as he called them to find a decoy of some sort. I can even remember spending a whole spring break helping him build wood duck boxes to donate to a local DU chapter.

Papa sadly passed away during my senior year at State, but I have him to thank for giving me one of my biggest inspirations in my work. I see him in every duck I paint, and I know he would be immensely proud in me showing at Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend, one of his favorite events.

So thank you Papa, these are for you and as always…for the ducks.