Pat Godin (b. 1953)
Paris, Ontario, Canada, 2001
6 1/4 in. tall, 6 by 5 in. base

“This man, Pat Godin, has already accomplished more than most of us dream of in the world of wildfowl carving... My advice is this: when you have a chance to question Pat Godin about carving, do a lot of listening. I do!” — Tan Brunet (b. 1938) Five-Time World Champion, Decorative Decoy Pairs

Pat Godin has been carving for over a half century. He won his first of many titles in the 1976 Ward World Championships, despite being a relative newcomer to carving competitions at that time. Pat exhibited at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland, for thirty years and, in 1984, he was inducted into the Festival’s Hall of Fame. During the 2015 Ward World Championship in Ocean City, Maryland, Pat was honored as a "Living Legend." At last count, his World Champion win total had reached seventeen, after the 2019 Ward World Championships with his Best-in-World mallard rig.

In regards to this group of miniatures, Pat Godin writes: “This series of North American species of grouse created in a reduced-scale format (miniature at 1/3 life-size) is indeed a legacy for me and my career. The concept of creating an entire series featuring the grouse species of North America evolved in my mind. This was a group of birds that fascinated me a lot. I could imagine endless creative designs that would work with the various species. However, I did want to narrow the target of the basic concept for this series. So, the theme I would focus on was to present the males of these species performing their breeding displays.

“Some of these carvings have been awarded Best-in-World titles at the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition. Also, a number of these will be featured in the book I am working on entitled ‘The Artistry of Pat Godin – Art, Science, and Inspiration.’”

In addition to Godin’s many and obvious carving and painting talents, this unique grouping showcases his ability to artistically present the aesthetic harmonies between a bird and its natural environment. Subtle pairings, such the spruce grouse’s auburn tail tips and the surrounding spruce cones of the same tone, are not by chance. Godin’s interplay of form, color, and texture can be felt and found throughout this flock.

Each bird can be easily detached from its base for transport in a custom crate made by the maker. The underside of each wooden base is finished with a solid brass plate which also serves as a ballast.

This ruffed grouse in a courtship display is a truly exceptional work by a master of decorative bird carving. The bird, the leaves, and the log are carved and painted wood. The realistic shaping of the layered feathers and detailed paint patterns of this species reflects the artist’s deep knowledge of and respect for the ruffed grouse. Indeed, the world auction record for the maker was set by a life-size ruffed grouse in the Copley’s Winter Sale 2020. The base exhibits the bird's footprints to facilitate properly replacing the grouse on stand. The underside of the base is inscribed by the artist "Birch Run Grouse / 2001 / by Pat Godin / Eight-Time World Champion" and signed “Patrick R. Godin.”
Original condition with minimal wear.

Provenance: Private Collection, Pennsylvania, acquired directly from the artist

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