Biography

Thomas Tyers, is a native of Oshkosh, now living in Omro, Wisconsin. He has been carving wildfowl for 50 years. Throughout his career as a woodcarver, he has won over 200 awards through-out the United States and Canada. The most prestigious being 3 best in category at the World Championships in Ocean City Maryland. He has done over 1000 pieces in his time as a carver, starting with miniature decoys given as gifts to family and friends to full size birds such as Red-Tailed Hawks and Snowy Egrets.    

He learned to carve from an Oshkosh native John Ryan who was taught by Frank Strey also an Oshkosh native, who was a famous Lake Winnebago decoy carver. In 1991 and 2016 he was featured along with the works of John James Audubon at the Paine Art Center of Oshkosh. In 2014 he was featured on the Wisconsin Public Television program “Wisconsin Life”. His works are in the collections of President Jimmy Carter. Noted biologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Dr George Archibald, the founder of the International Crane Foundation.     

His work now is focusing on a new direction. Trying to show the skill and beauty in displaying just one feather, butterfly, and the colorful beauty of feather compositions.   The pieces are carved from Basswood and painted in acrylics using various techniques, such as dry brushing, light wash buildup, and airbrush. 

Using these he can create the softness and transparency of his pieces. He then builds his own frames and mounts his work, to highlight the pieces.