Full size cork Blackduck  decoy painted by Oliver "Tuts" Lawson (b1938- ), Crisfield, Maryland. Clean, dry paint without repair.  Signed but not dated. Outstanding paint on this working decoy.

Oliver “Tuts” Lawson is a highly respected decoy and bird carver from Crisfield, Maryland, known for his close association with the Eastern Shore carving tradition. He began carving at a young age and was mentored by the legendary Ward brothers (Lem and Steve Ward), an influence that strongly shaped his style and reputation.

Lawson has carved full-size and miniature decoys, as well as decorative carvings of waterfowl, shorebirds, and upland birds. His work is admired for its natural posture, fine detail, and careful painting, reflecting close observation of live birds. 

In recognition of his lifetime contributions to the art of wildfowl carving, Lawson was named a Ward Foundation “Living Legend” in 2018. His carvings are highly collectible and appear in many private collections, museums, and decoy auctions, securing his place among the important modern carvers of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.