About John R Wells

  • Biography

    John R. Wells (1861 - 1955) [1]

    John Wells was a boat builder by trade and spent forty years as the foreman for Ackroyd Boat Co. [Toronto] (Engers 286). He hunted on Long Point and the St. Clair Flats [Ontario] where he encountered the carving influence of the Warin [see AskART] brothers' style. Wells carved both hollow and solid decoys* with heads attached to a raised neck seat extending from the chest. These decoys were well-carved and finished with flowing wing patterns and comb-painted bodies. Black ducks received further attention around the head which Wells scratch painted for a textured effect.

    In addition to black ducks, Wells carved other species frequently hunted in the area: scaup, Canada geese, canvasbacks, mallar...

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