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Don McHugh

My journey in art began in 1969 by painting (acrylic) game birds on wood and paper. Eventually I painted on canvas and completed approximately 85 paintings, including my last painting of a farm scene in 1980. Most of my subjects were about anything living in nature.

I retired in 1995 and moved to Hickory, North Carolina. I worked temporarily at the Klingspor's Woodworking Shop and was surrounded by everything to do about wood and got very interested in woodcarving. In 1998 l became a founding member and Secretary of the Hickory Woodcarving Club. Initially my carving subjects were realistic (detailed) wildfowl, birds, mammals, and aquatic animals with their appropriate habitat.

I entered many competitions nationwide to gain a measure of my performance as a carver. The competitions inspired be to step out of my comfort zone to try new carving styles and subjects. I was fortunate to earn numerous best of shows, awards at the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competitions, and two-time International Wildfowl Decorative Carver of the Year.

Through 20 some years of participating in the woodcarving community I have enjoyed carving, teaching, club leadership, competition, and judging competitions.

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