Wooden decoys are recognized as an art form at competitions around the world and a Calgary man is opening up his carpentry shop to pass on his craft to those who want to whittle.
Bruce Sterling started carving in the early 1970s and has turned his garage into a wood working studio.
He says he spent many years learning techniques to make realistic decoys of all sizes and has won some of the highest awards for wood carvers in the world.
He has been sharing his experience for more than 20 years with others who want to learn his craft.
Peter Dueck, 82, is one of Sterling’s students and he says he's always surprised at what the finished product looks like.
“I'm very happy to be able to do it, and it's very therapeutic to do this kind of work,” said Dueck.
“Over the past 25, 30 years the birds have become so realistic that really you can't tell them from a bird, a real one,” said Bruce Sterling, carving instructor.
Many of Sterling's students have gone on to become award winning carvers themselves.
For more information on carving classes, email Bruce Sterling at brucesterling@shaw.ca.
