2007 Featured Carver

Tommy Rogers  Snow Hill, NC

This year’s honored carver is master craftsman Tommy Rogers of Snow Hill, N.C. Unlike most featured carvers, Tommy did not grow up on the coast, nor is he a duck hunter.  Some of his early carvings were hunting decoys, yet he still has never shot a duck with a gun.  Nevertheless, he did accompany a sportsman, who had purchased a dozen mallard decoys from him, on a hunt and “shoot” some hunting scenes with his camera.

Like all dedicated craftsmen, there is a story about how Tommy became interested in carving and why it has become his life’s work.  He had been a woodworker for several years, making wood crafts and folk art and participating in various craft shows.  At the time he was not feeling challenged in working with wood.  But in 1986, while exhibiting in a craft show at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City, he met decoy makers John and Gail Cole (John was the carver, Gail was the painter). The Coles kindled a friendship with Tommy and introduced him to the world of decoy carving by giving him a carving knife and block of tupelo. It was a wonderful gesture – Tommy has become one of North Carolina’s top-tier decoy carvers. 

Tommy’s first carving was a half-size mallard, made from the piece of tupelo given to him by the Coles.  Looking back, he chuckles at the elementary carving in comparison to his present-day works.  He stated that it was so ugly he would probably not have kept it, but his wife placed a lot of sentimental value upon it and would not part with it. 

Tommy pursued his interest in carving and entered six decoys in the 1993 6th Annual Core Sound Decoy Festival carving competition.  The black duck was the featured bird, and he won a ribbon with all six entries.  From that time on, he has been “hooked.”  Tommy carves both decorative and gunning decoys.  He has entered birds in most of the prestigious shows around the nation, and his awards are too numerous to list. 

Just as inspiring as the decoy crafting is the camaraderie and fellowship that goes along with carving.  Tommy readily acknowledges that much of his motivation and interest stems from fellow carvers, students and the friendships he has developed.  Fellow carvers are always calling or making a special visit to his shop. He enjoys teaching carving classes and mentoring new carvers.

Decorative carvings require a lot of time, skill and may not be affordable to the general public.  In response to this, Tommy has delved into carving old style hunting decoys out of juniper.  The decoys are relatively simple, fun to make, and fill a niche in the world of decoy collecting.  He paints all of his decoys, decorative and working ones, with acrylic paints. It’s not as messy as working with oils and the surface remains just as durable.

Tommy is an active member of the Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild, the East Carolina Wildfowl Guild and a member of various other craftsman organizations. He believes in giving back to an association that has greatly enriched his life. He has donated many fine works of art to charitable events and given many generous hours to teaching carving.

The Board of Directors of the Core Sound Decoy Carvers Guild has selected Tommy Rogers as Featured Carver for 2007, an honor he truly deserves.