About the Artist
Over two decades of passion, precision, and dedication to the art of wildfowl carving.
Ed in his workshop with an in-progress carving
Edward H. Legg
Ed began his carving journey with relief carvings until the day a friend took him to a decoy shop. "I can do that," he thought — and he was right. He picked up two books by Rosalyn Leach Daisey and taught himself to carve, burn, and paint songbirds, ducks, and wildlife. A lifelong Long Island native now based in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, Ed has been perfecting his craft for over 35 years.
Ed's work is recognized for its extraordinary attention to detail. Each feather is individually painted with steady, precise brushstrokes that achieve a remarkable level of realism. His talent has earned him over 30 Best in Show wins and more than 50 placements at competitions throughout the Northeast — including the prestigious Ward World Championship in Ocean City, Maryland, where he won Best in Show with his miniature Redshank shorebird.
In his very first competition — the 1988 National Decoy Show on Long Island — Ed swept the songbird division, taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Best in Show. His most recent competition wins came at the 2011 Northeast Waterfowl Festival in Connecticut, where he earned Best in Show, People's Choice, and the Cabela's Carver's Award.
Ed has been published three times in Woodcarving Illustrated, the leading woodcarving publication in North America, and his workshop was featured in "Woodcarver's Guide to Sharpening, Tools and Setting Up Shop" alongside master wood sculptor Ernest Szentgyorgyi. More than 12 of his bird carvings are on permanent display at Caleb Smith State Park in Smithtown, Long Island.
Although Ed no longer competes due to limited mobility, he continues to carve and paint — donating pieces to various organizations and selling his work through his Etsy shop.
Materials & Craft
Every carving begins as a block of basswood and is transformed through hours of patient handwork.
Basswood
Premium American basswood selected for its fine grain and excellent carving properties.
Acrylic Paint
Each feather hand painted with acrylics using fine brushes to achieve lifelike plumage patterns.
Glass Eyes
Hand-set glass eyes that bring each bird to life with a natural, alert expression.
Handcrafted Bases
Black Walnut or lacquer bases with hand-made rocks, pebbles, sand, and natural elements.
Inside the Workshop
Where basswood becomes art — a look inside Ed's carving studio.
The Process
From a block of basswood to a lifelike bird — the journey of a hand-carved wildfowl sculpture.
Wood Selection
Each carving begins with carefully selected American basswood — prized by wildfowl carvers for its fine, even grain, light weight, and excellent workability. The wood must be properly dried and free of defects to hold the delicate detail that Ed's work demands.
Roughing Out
Using band saws and larger carving tools, the basic shape of the bird is roughed out from the basswood block. The proportions, posture, and attitude of the bird are established in this critical early stage — getting the form right is essential for a lifelike result.
Detail Carving
The most time-intensive phase. Using specialized carving knives, gouges, and burning tools, Ed carves individual feather groups, bill details, and textural elements. Each feather tract is defined with precision, creating the layered, dimensional look that defines his work.
Painting
Ed's painting technique is what sets his work apart. Using fine brushes and acrylic paints, each feather is individually painted with steady-handed brushstrokes. Colors are carefully mixed to match the bird's natural plumage — achieving the soft, realistic transitions that have earned him world-championship recognition. Glass eyes are then set to complete the lifelike expression.
Mounting & Finishing
The finished bird is mounted on a handcrafted base — either natural Black Walnut hardwood or a black lacquer base. Ed creates the habitat elements by hand: rocks, pebbles, sand, driftwood, and grasses are crafted and arranged to create a natural shoreline scene that complements each species.
See Ed's Work Up Close
Browse the full collection of available carvings on Etsy. Each piece ships carefully packaged and insured.
Carefully Packaged & Fully Insured
Etsy Buyer Protection
5.0 ★ Shop Rating — 11 Years