What started out as a hobby in 1992 has turned Val Caron=s
Gilles Prud=homme
into somewhat of a world-renowned celebrity. Shown in the photo with some
of his remarkable carvings, Gilles recently took part in the Art on the
Trail segment of the Valley Country Tour. Visitors were able to see up
close the fine details of the green-winged teal hen, the Northern Oriole
and the Tree Sparrow, along with several other pieces of work.
AI enjoy the fact that I can take a
block of wood and slowly transform it, add colour and bring it to life. I
get excited every time,@
explained Prud=homme.
Because he works full-time for INCO, some of his products
take as long as four months to complete. The intricate detail and colour
required by judges at competitions make his work extremely valuable to
collectors. He has won numerous awards and National and International
competitions, including the World Championships and the Ducks Unlimited
Peoples Choice Award. Many of his creations are valued at over $1500 by
collectors.
Gilles uses tupelo wood, which comes from the swamps of
Louisiana. His speciality is North American Wildfowl, but he also takes
custom orders from clients. His inspiration comes from the natural beauty
and love he has for birds as he captures the character and essence of the
species with intricate detail and meticulous painting. If you would like
to learn more about Gilles creations, he can be contacted at 897-2457.
