Billy Crockett
A master carver living in Parksley, VA, Billy Crockett works in a studio located at the Historic Onancock School. An avid nature enthusiast since childhood, he brings a deep appreciation of his native Eastern Shore to each carving, particularly the waterfowl and heron carvings for which he is best known. His work has won critical acclaim and prizes around the mid-Atlantic region, including for decorative miniatures.
Crockett teaches occasional classes in his craft through Onancock School and also accepts commission work. He is versed in decoy making techniques as well as decorative carving, but his reputation for carving life-like miniatures places him among the world’s masters of the difficult genre.
The fine feather detail in this Northern Pintail is typical of Crockett’s work, achieved both with carving and with painting techniques. The feathers of the back that cover the bend of the wing are called scapulars: note how realistic and three-dimensional they appear in this fine example.
Miniature carvings, like this Great Blue Heron, seldom show accurate proportions between legs, body and bill. Crockett’s work is exceptional in maintaining perfect proportion among these elements, and the accurate painting of plumage also makes his pieces highly prized by collectors.
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