Stefane Bougie

Stefane Bougie is the second born in a family of three sons, all of whom are bird carvers. Stefane has always lived in Quebec. His talent developed at a very young age thanks to his devoted and very understanding parents who allowed him to have a small zoo in their home, with butterflies, frogs, feathers and bird nests. Ducks then joined the group in the family room situated in the basement. Following his older brother's footsteps, Stefane started to sculpt in 1982 and in 1983 he was initiated to first competition in Montreal. Through the Galerie Prescott, he became acquainted with other artists, mostly painters such as Jean-Luc Grondin, Ghislain Caron and Pierre Leduc. His discovery of Pat Godin in 1986 led him to his growing and great interest for the competition of bird sculpture. In addition to Godin's influence, there were also many others such as Victor Paroyan, Bob Guge and most certainly Jett & Jude Brunet. In 1982 he started to compete internationally with a miniature black duck. He won second prize. Since then has gone on to win major awards in World Championship events and Regional Carving Championships all over the United States and Canada. His work is collected by people all over the world.

Gary Eigenberger

Born with a love for nature and the outdoors with an intriguing interest in three-dimensional sculpture, Gary started sculpting trees and animals in clay at an early age. At age seven, he had his first exhibit displayed at his local public library. At age fourteen, he began sculpting and carving birds out of wood, his only tool then being a pocketknife. “Every time I saw birds I took the opportunity to observe them and their surroundings.” Becoming aware of his deep love he had for wildfowl, he began seriously carving in 1987. His vivid impressions of wildfowl coupled with a natural artistic sense of design and a talent for intricate detail and realism allowed him to create various sculptures that have been exhibited worldwide. He has received many Best of Show awards over the years throughout the U.S. Gary has won second Best in World titles three times and won second Best of Show in the newly created Masters Class at the Ward World Wildfowl Carving Championships. He is featured in many national art and collecting magazines throughout the U.S. Gary’s creations can be found in various private collections, corporate, galleries and exhibits including the prestigious Leigh Yakey Woodson Art Museum Birds in Art exhibits in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995 and Christie’s of London, England Wildlife Art in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and the Easton Waterfowl Festival in 1999 and 2000.