Painting Shorebird Decoys

Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1948, the shore’s rich wildlife held his youthful interest. Hunting was a prime activity since he was 14, with many days spent in marsh, field, and the “Jersey pines.” Tony worked as a commercial illustrator in the 1960s, developing a talent for drawing and painting local wildlife. After serving in the Marine Corps from 1968-70, he returned to painting wildlife and illustrating stories. In the early 1970s, he began designing and carving duck decoys for his own use, and soon made them for friends. Woodcarving became his main focus. While he started with decoys, he began carving more decorative birds, fish, and animals. Most of his work is in white cedar, but he has also carved in basswood, butternut, mahogany, maple, ebony, oak, and various pines. The painted finish of his carvings helps to make them special. Mr. Hillman has authored and illustrated over 30 carving and painting how-to books. Three of his earliest titles were done with Harry V. Shourds, the grandson of the famous Tuckerton carver. Thousands of wood carvers have used their series of carving and painting patterns for over thirty years. Tony added other titles which included several painting how-to books, fish carving, and weathervane subjects. In 1983, the Smithsonian Institute invited Tony to the American Folk Life Festival in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate his craft, one of only 3 carvers in the state to be so honored. He still carves full-time, with a focus on the shorebirds that migrate to and from our coast each year. Tony has lived in Cape May County for the past thirty years, and his carvings reflect a lifetime of observation of our unique coastal heritage. Since 1999, he has spent more time carving and selling directly to patrons.