BLOUNTS CREEK — With a steady hand, Fran Welch can turn a simple block of wood into a true work of art.

He is a carver who prefers the “working decoy” method, meaning his completed ducks would be equally at home on a mantelpiece or in a marsh during a hunting excursion. Welch is refreshingly modest about his talent. In fact, some of his decoys are actually put to good use when he goes hunting with his son and friends.

“I’ve been hunting my whole life, and I love the history of the decoys,” Welch said, adding that he uses no eyes in his decoys, following the traditional North Carolina-style of carving.

A self-described “military brat,” Welch has strong ties to Beaufort County. While his father’s family is scattered between Virginia and Boston, his mother was a Woolard from the north side of the Pamlico River. Welch is a graduate of Washington High School.

When he decided to turn his love of hunting and wildfowl into an artistic pursuit, Welch sought out a couple of established carvers for advice. He took lessons from Jerry Talton of Stella, a widely recognized carver, and Grayson Chesser of Virginia, who has also made quite a name for himself among collectors.

Welch’s decoys are for the most part hand-made. He does cut out a rough shape using a band saw, but from that point on he uses only knives, a piece of leather, axes, rasps and what he calls a spoke shave. He favors white cedar and tupelo woods.

Each piece is the result of several hours of shaping, carving and painting. A husband, father, youth-league sports coach and business owner, Welch has to juggle several roles in order to find time to carve.

“I’ll carve late at night,” he said. “I’ll come out here to the shop at midnight and carve for a couple hours.”

In just four years, he estimated he’s turned out around 200 decoys. Some he uses to hunt, others are gifts to family and friends. He has also generously donated several to Ducks Unlimited for fundraising campaigns, but as yet his work is not available for sale in any shop or gallery.

“I don’t think I’ve ever sold one … I think I’ve bartered everything out,” he said with a laugh.

But that may change. As word of Welch’s carvings spread and appreciation for his talent grows, there is an interest in purchasing his work. He said he would entertain the thought of selling some of his work, but he has thus far resisted entering his decoys in carving competitions.

Welch’s biggest fan is his son Keegan, who is about to turn 9 years old.

“He has his own collection – it’s a lasting legacy for him,” Welch said. “I’m teaching him to carve.”

For now, Welch is content with the personal satisfaction he gets from carving.

“I enjoy making something from zero, something you can actually put your hands on,” he said.

Welch may be contacted via email at duchnt@gmail.com.