Thursday, June 2, 2011

Folk Art Month: Jeff Kieny's Favorite Folk Art Lures

Remember, June is Folk Art Lure Month!

In honor of Jeff Kieny's forthcoming Folk Art Lure book (look for a review in two weeks time right here), I asked Jeff if he would pick out some items from his book that he really loved.


That, of course, is sort of like picking your favorite paintings out of the Chicago Art Institute. But when pressed, I guess I could narrow it down to a handful (Hopper's Nighthawks and Wood's American Gothic being no-brainers).

Anyway, Jeff graciously agreed, and with the permission of his publisher Schiffer, he's sent us some of his favorite pieces to look at. Here they are in Jeff's own words:

The Big Bee

This 3” chip-carved, painted and varnished wood lure is ca. 1920s. It has adhered, turkey-beard ‘wings,’ glass pin eyes, wire line tie passes through main body where, upon exiting the back, it is exposed and twisted above the striped tail segment, then secured to the body by a nail.  Its originality, character and personality abound. 


The Turtle

The turtle is 2-3/4” x 2” hand carved, painted and varnished wood, and is ca. 1930s - 1940s.  It has an embedded wire line tie, screw attached metal diving bill, steel thumbtack applied, and cut rubber legs.  The rubber tail is secured by screw eye tail hook hanger.  It is only one of two authentic hand-made, vintage folk art turtle lures the author has ever seen.



Baby Duck Lure

This 2” carved, painted and varnished wood lure with glitter accents and adhered feathers as wings is ca. 1930s – 1940s.  It has a simple, interesting ‘hump-back’ form, fixed, through-body wire hook hangers, screw-eye line tie, lead belly weight, and painted eyes.



These are three of Jeff's favorite folk art baits. What are yours? Send me an email at whitefishpress AT yahoo DOT com with two or three of your favorites, descriptions of them, and an explanation of why you love them, and we'll feature them on the blog!

Next Week: More of Jeff's Favorites!

-- Dr. Todd

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