Rehoboth Bay Decoys

Robert G. Benko

Wood

39 Bay Reach
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

302-227-5407
rgb828@comcast.net

 

Artist Statement

My workshop is on the edge of Rehoboth Bay surrounded by acres of magnificent wetlands. This environment teems with waterfowl and other wildlife and is a continual source of inspiration for my work as a carver of wildfowl decoys. I focus on carving both miniature and full-size water birds - herons, egrets and loons; on old style "gunning" duck decoys that evoke the historic Mason decoy style of the early 1900s; on classic goose and swan decoys reflective of styles of Ira Hudson, "Shang" Wheeler and other legendary carvers; and on early East Coast shorebird decoys, such as Long Island Dowitchers and "roothead" Curlews.

I have been carving wildfowl decoys for over 20 years and have sold them privately and through shops and galleries in Delaware and Maryland. My decoys are models of simplicity reminiscent of an earlier era. Each is painstakingly crafted to help preserve the heritage of carvers who created some of the most unique folk art in America.