Invitation to Exhibit at the 2025 Waterfowl Festival!

Invitation to Exhibit at the 2025 Waterfowl Festival!

by | May 2, 2025 | Studio News

 

Ya’ll,

I’m so excited to have received my invite to exhibit my work in the Art Galleries of the 54th Annual Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland on November 14th thru the 16th!

This is a huge deal and I’m so grateful to have the honor of showing my work among some of the best waterfowl and outdoor artists in the country! 

I’ll share more details when I know more..

Buy your tickets and plan your visit to Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore today!

I hope to see you there.

Cheers-

Jeff 

More About My Work

More About the Festival

The Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland is a celebrated annual event that showcases the rich heritage of the Eastern Shore, particularly its connection to waterfowl, wildlife, and outdoor traditions. Held each November, the festival has been a tradition since 1971, drawing thousands of visitors to this small town on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Key Features:

  • Wildlife Art: The festival is known for its high-quality displays of wildlife art, including paintings, carvings, photography, and sculpture from renowned artists across the country.

  • Decoy Carving: Decoy carving demonstrations and competitions are a major attraction, reflecting the region’s historic ties to waterfowl hunting and craftsmanship.

  • Sporting Activities: The event includes retriever demonstrations, fly fishing exhibits, calling contests, and shooting sports for attendees to watch or try.

  • Local Culture: It highlights Eastern Shore traditions, with local food (especially oysters and crab), music, and conservation education.

  • Youth Activities: The festival is family-friendly, with special activities for children, including hands-on crafts and educational programs.

  • Conservation Mission: Proceeds from the festival support waterfowl and habitat conservation efforts on the Delmarva Peninsula.

The event takes place throughout downtown Easton, with various venues, including the Armory, the Avalon Theatre, and local schools and parks.

More About Talbot County, Maryland

Visiting Talbot County, Maryland offers a charming escape to the heart of the Eastern Shore, where historic towns, scenic waterways, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle create an unforgettable experience. Anchored by picturesque communities like Easton, St. Michaels, Oxford, and Tilghman Island, the county is ideal for leisurely exploration. Visitors can stroll brick-lined streets filled with boutiques, art galleries, and waterfront restaurants, or embark on a sailing excursion along the Miles River and Chesapeake Bay. Rich in history and maritime heritage, Talbot County also offers cultural attractions such as the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and seasonal festivals like Easton’s Waterfowl Festival. Whether you’re kayaking through serene coves, savoring fresh local seafood, or simply watching the sunset from a dock, Talbot County delivers the perfect blend of relaxation and discovery.

Eastern Oyster 07-84,10

Eastern Oyster 07-84,10

by | Mar 25, 2025 | Studio News

03.20.2025 - Eastern Oyster 07-84,10

Dimensions- 15″ X 12″ X 4″

Glazed Domestic Porcelain

The oyster of study came from a close friend and mentor, Captain Mike Richards. He was given a bucket of oysters by Captain Ed Farley of the Skipjack H.M. Krentz. The Skipjacks of the Chesapeake Bay are among the last commercial sailing vessels in North America.

Eastern Oyster #07-84,10 in glazed fine domestic porcelain. Call to see any of my recent works. Otherwise, look for my show in the Fall 2025. Eastern Oyster Study 07-84,10 represents years of work in the Wharf Road studio on Tilghman Island, on Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore.
Eastern Oyster Study 07-84,10 represents years of work in the Wharf Road studio on Tilghman Island, on Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore.

Dredging oysters under a massive mainsail and jib is a uniquely Chesapeake Bay endeavor, a time-honored tradition that has shaped the region’s maritime heritage for generations. Many of the remaining Skipjacks are over 100 years old, their weathered wooden hulls carrying the stories of countless oyster harvests. Designed with a wide beam and shallow draft, these remarkable boats were built specifically for navigating the Bay’s intricate network of oyster-rich tributaries. Today, Skipjacks remain a symbol of the Watermen’s deep connection to the Bay, preserving a way of life that continues to endure despite the passage of time.

 

See more of Jeff’s work here.

From Wikipedia..

The skipjack arose near the end of the 19th century. Dredging for oysters, prohibited in 1820, was again made legal in 1865. Boats of the time were unsuitable, and the bugeye developed out of the log canoe in order to provide a boat with more power adapted to the shallow waters of the oyster beds.

The bugeye was originally constructed with a log hull, and as the supply of appropriate timber was exhausted and construction costs rose, builders looked to other designs. They adapted the sharpies of Long Island Sound by increasing the beam and simplifying the sail plan. The result was cheaper and simpler to construct than the bugeye, and it quickly became the predominant oystering boat in the bay.

Debate remains to this day about the origins of the name. Some speculate it came from a name New England fisherman called the flying fish, bonita. Still others claim it is derived from an archaic English term, meaning an “inexpensive yet useful servant.”

01.24.2025 – Fresh from the kiln

01.24.2025 – Fresh from the kiln

by | Jan 24, 2025 | Studio News

It was COLD yesterday, but I love a cold kiln day! I enjoyed hours of warmth next to the ol’ 88 on the wrapped front porch with snow on the ground. I’ll be firing the glaze tests you can see in the background today. Perhaps an afternoon beer in my balmy little space. Friday!