Frontenac News - Carving

Jeff Green | May 10, 2007

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Feature Article - May 10, 2007

North Frontenac carver wins awards in Ocean City

by Jeff Green

Each year the wildlife carving world descends on Ocean City, Maryland for a three-day exhibition and competition of wildfowl carvings. Up to 2,000 carvers from around the world bring their best work for the competition.

Last year Mickie Mackie from Sunday Lake (near Ompah) was encouraged to enter the competition by the owner of the Black Duck Studio in Perth, where some of Mackie’s carvings are on display. Mickie and his wife Mavis drove down to Maryland, but none of his carvings won a prize last year. This year, however, on their second trip down a couple of weeks ago, Mickie’s Greater Yellow Leg won 2nd prize for Yellow Legs, and his American Avocet was the 1st prize winner among Avocet carvings.

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It’s quite an accomplishment for Mickie. The Mackies bought their property on Sunday Lake 10 years ago, when Mickie retired from the Federal Civil Service. He spent several years working on the house, and after a lifetime of working with his hands he settled down to begin carving birds about 4 years ago.

Each of his carvings, which are one of a kind pieces, take about 200 hours of labour, including the time spent painting them, “so I make a few pennies an hour when I sell them,” Mickie said.

“Carving is quite addictive,” Mickie admits, “it really has become something I do.”

He has major plans for next year’s Ocean City competition. “I plan to make a full-sized Snowy Owl. I’ve done a couple of owls and a red tailed hawk in the past, but this will be a big project.”

Mickie and Mavis are both artisans, Mavis is a jeweller and paints whimsical “fireplace screens” as well. Together they run Acorny Acres out of their home, which is open by chance or appointment.

They will also be displaying their work at the Cloyne Showcase in July and the Land O’ Lakes Art Festival in Sharbot Lake during the August long weekend. They will also be at the Carp market on Saturdays this year.

They can be reached at Acorny Acres 613-479-9949 or at Acornyacres.com.