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Jeff Krete
AFC
Decorative Wildfowl Sculpture |
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Growing up in rural Ontario, Canada, Jeff Krete developed a passion for the outdoors and a sincere appreciation of wildlife and nature. Jeff discovered the world of wildfowl carving in the early 1980's. Southern Ontario is rich in natural and cultural heritage. The wildfowl carving tradition has roots in the carvings of the many decoy masters of the lower Great Lakes. Early on in his artwork Jeff was inspired by the antique decoy carvers and the work of early contemporary wildfowl carvers of the 1960's and 70's. Mentored by the late George Arn Pletzer a local master wildfowl carver, Jeff began creating his own hand carved pieces in early 1980's. "Arn instilled in me the ability to interpret beyond what meets the eye of the casual observer. My desire was to understand the unique sublties of my subjects and to ultimately create artwork beyond the decoy". Jeff refined his carving skills, comlpeting numerous traditional hunting decoys, fully decorative decoys and then many decorative lifesize and miniature wildfowl sculptures.
With a deep concern for the health and sustainability of our natural environment, Jeff attended the University of Waterloo in Ontario and received a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree. "In my lifetime I have seen the diversity of nature decline in quality as the natural environment is slowly diminished by our activities". "With my varied interests and creative abilities, I try to make a difference" for wildlife. Jeff is a field biologist employed with Ducks Unlimited Canada, partnering with private landowners and other conservation partners to restore wetlands to landscapes across Southern Ontario.
Since 1984, wildfowl art competitions throughout North America have rewarded Jeff with over 200 international awards. Jeff continues to produce many original pieces of wildfowl sculpture and is today recognized as a leading innovative carver. Jeff's work has been exhibited in several galleries including the Burdette Wildlife Gallery, Orton, Ontario; the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University, Maryland; and most recenltly the New Britain Museum of American Art.
In April 2010, Jeff's sculpture "The Great Argus Pheasant" was selected as "Best in World" - Decorative Miniature Wildfowl at the prestigious Ward Foundation, Ward World Championships of wildfowl carving in Ocean City Maryland, USA. A piece entitled "Pintail Courtship" won the same top honour for Jeff in 2007. In 2006, Jeff's decorative decoy pair "Barrows goldeneye" was awarded "Best in World" - World Decorative Life-size Floating Waterfowl Pair. Jeff became a Master Wildflowl Carver in 2005 and has won numerous Best in Show Awards at the Canadian National Wildfowl Carving Championship. Jeff continually adds to a growing list of wildfowl carving accomplishments.
Jeff carves original multi media and wood sculptures of both native North American birds as well as unique species from around the globe. Works are completed in both lifesize and miniature formats.
"I have always believed that there is a direct connection between the appreciation of nature art and the enhanced appreciation for nature. My aim is to create works of art that inspire a passion for the conservation of nature".
Residence: Cambridge, Ontario
Education: B.E.S. Geography, University of Waterloo
Subjects: brids, waterfowl, birds of prey, mammals, butterflies and moths.
Medium: various woods, metals, glass
Commissioned work accepted.
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Support for Conservation:
10% of the sale of Jeff's available work on this site will go to support the efforts of Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Special Achievements:
- 2011 - World Decorative Miniature Wildfowl Sculpture
http://www.wardmuseum.org
"The Pink Headed Duck" Second in World competition, Ward Foundation, Ocean City, Maryland, USA
- 2011 - New Britain Museum of American Art
http://www.nbmaa.org
One Man’s Passion: The Art of Carved Birds
Gallery exhibit including 2 of Jeff's World Championship sculptures "The Great Argus Pheasant" and "Pintail Courtship"
August-October 2011, New Britain, CT, USA
- 2010 - Best in World; Decorative Miniature Wildfowl
http://www.wardmuseum.org
"The Great Argus Pheasant" pair selected Best in World, Ward Foundation, Ocean City Maryland, USA
- 2007 - Best in World; Decorative Miniature Wildfowl
http://www.wardmuseum.org
"Pintail Courtship" selected Best in World. Ward Foundation, Ocean City, Maryland, USA
- 2006 - Best in World; Decorative Lifesize Floating Waterfowl Pair
http://www.wardmuseum.org
"Barrows Goldeneye" pair selected Best in World, Ward Foundation, Ocean City, Maryland, USA
Organization Membership:
- 1990 - Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
http://www.wardmuseum.org
The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University strives to lead the way for advancing the understanding of wildfowl art and the interrelationships of art, nature and culture. Through educational programs, exhibits and events the Ward Museum builds upon the legacy of Lem and Steve Ward in order to bring young and old to a greater understanding of the human relationship to the natural world.
- 1984 - Ducks Unlimited Canada
http://www.ducks.ca
Ducks Unlimited Canada is the leader in wetlands conservation in Canada. DUC is intent on conserving Canada's waterfowl habitat for the benefit of waterfowl, wildlife and people.
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All rights reserved. All images and text © Copyright 2013 Jeff Krete - Member of the Artists for Conservation Foundation (Formerly
the Worldwide Nature Artists Group) www.natureartists.com.
This site represents the original artwork (nature art and wildlife art) of nature
artist and wildlife artist of Jeff Krete and is protected by international copyright laws. Use
of nature art, wildlife art or any other images or text from this site, requires
permission in writing from Jeff Krete (Jeff Krete).
This site is part of the Artists for Conservation (AFC) Web site. (Wildlife
Art - Nature Art - Conservation) Artists for Conservation is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to
nature art, wildlife art and conservation. On this site you will find world-class
nature art and wildlife art by today's leading nature artists & wildlife artists.
The AFC site is the Web's premier location for nature art, wildlife
artists
All content appearing in pages featuring Jeff Krete is the sole responsibility of Jeff Krete. The opinions expressed on these artists' pages are those of Jeff Krete and do not necessarily reflect those of the Artists for Conservation
Foundationi (AFC).
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