Miniature Mallard decoys by Oliver "Tuts" Lawson (b1938- ), Crisfield, Maryland. Clean, dry all original paint without repair. This pair is outstanding with beautiful paint patterns and carved wings. Signed and dated 1969. An exceptional early pair of decoys for the serious Lawson collector.
Oliver "Tuts" Lawson (b. 1938, Crisfield, Maryland) is one of the most accomplished and historically significant wildfowl carvers of his generation. A protégé of the legendary Ward Brothers, Lawson began carving at age nine after his mother — who worked alongside Lem Ward's wife, Thelma — introduced his early work to the brothers. That introduction sparked a lifelong friendship and professional partnership. By age 12, carving had become a serious pursuit; by 17, Lawson recognized it as a viable livelihood, forgoing conventional employment to carve miniature and life-sized decoys full-time.
Lawson's relationship with Lem and Steve Ward extended well beyond mentorship. He worked alongside them, helped fill their orders, and served as a trusted friend and confidant to the Ward family. As such, he represents a direct living link to the knowledge, techniques, and traditions that shaped the modern field of wildfowl carving — most notably the efficient Maryland paint style the Wards perfected. He is also a founding member of the Ward Foundation, established to honor his mentors' legacy.
His professional recognition is extensive. Lawson has served as a judge at the Ward World Championship Carving Competition, held the position of Honorary Chairman for the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum Festival in 1999, and was featured on NBC's The Today Show. His work has been exhibited at the Easton Waterfowl Festival for decades and is currently part of the World Bird Carving exhibition touring major Japanese cities. In 2018, the Ward Foundation honored him with its prestigious Living Legend Award in recognition of his contributions to the Foundation, his service to the carving community, and his consummate skill as an artist.
Lawson's pieces are held in the permanent collections of the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, the Mellon Institute, and Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, as well as numerous private collections. His work commands significant sums at auction. Today, Lawson continues to carve from his hometown of Crisfield — researching subjects by observing birds in the wild, studying ecosystems, and examining natural forms with painstaking care — remaining a vital and inspiring presence in the American folk art tradition.