The Future of Hunting

100% profits go to conservation

Art by Kevin Hoyt:

Testimonials:

“Mr. Hoyt’s artistic skill is quite unique. His passion for the outdoors is relayed through the incredible detail found in his artwork.”

Jack C. Bushman, II

Founder & CEO

Buckmasters, Ltd.

Kevin’s “work is very interesting with amazing detail! The work is so unique I am having trouble trying to think of an appropriate outlet”

Matthew Perry,

Artistic Director

Vermont Arts Exchange

“We feel that you are an amazing artist and have great eye for detail. We find that the story behind what you’re doing and your generosity with the proceeds is a wonderful addition to the actual product. You undoubtedly have a solid body of work...”

Jolene Hanson

Gallery Manager

Frog hollow -VT, artisans

“I was delighted to have a piece of artwork that was truly unique. If you ever get the chance to see some of Kevin’s artwork, you will be delighted just as I was.”

Will Primos

Founder & CEO

Primos Hunting calls

“The carved mushroom is one of the most special gifts I have ever received. I am honored that my table will be decorated with (Apple Pie Bald) so more people can enjoy your work.”

Marylin Primos

(Will’s mom)

“The Nuge likes”

Ted Nugent

Rocker supreme

Hunting guru

Artist Autobiography:

I have never considered myself to be an artist until recently. I have always loved to draw and a talent for doing so appeared when I was in grade school. I have always been around art and art has always been around my family. My brother has turned into a talented taxidermist, my mother was an accomplished airbrush painter and my grandmother was a model for the incredible work done by Norman Rockwell. Rose Hoyt was featured in several of Mr. Rockwell’s paintings with eighteen that made it to print including such classics as “Do onto others” and “Freedom to worship”.

My work with the mushrooms started in the early eighties. It all began while I was drinking beer and sitting around the campfire with some friends. The log I was using for a chair had a mushroom growing on it and because it was up-side down, I noticed the white bottom. I left a deer antler with the inscription “Kevin was here” on the mushroom. Several years later, on a return trip to the same campsite I found the half burnt log kicked over into the bushes. The mushroom and the image was still there and unharmed! It looked the same as the day I carved it and it hit me to find another one and carve a wildlife scene for my brother.

When people saw my brother’s piece, they wanted one too and the process I call “shroom art” began. Nice mushrooms are hard to find, but this was a fun hobby for me that allowed me to show off my talent. At that point I had never sold any work, but the reaction I received when I gave away my art work made me feel like an artist and allowed me to share my passion with the world.

After giving away the first 150+ mushrooms, “2005" was the first year I agreed to sell any or start to market the pieces. I still give away more than I sell, but the reason I finally agreed to sell my work was to help fund a conservation project I founded in “2000". My art work is scattered across the entire country and several pieces reside in the homes of celebrities. My work has been featured in several news papers and magazines and I have only applied for exhibition at two galleries and was accepted into both Frog Hollow and Bennington Center for the Arts.

I am an avid outdoorsman, an International bow hunter education instructor, a Vermont State firearms safety instructor, an outdoor writer and founder of “The Future of Hunting” conservation program. I am carrying on the tradition of art woven into my family. You only get one try when carving a canvas made of mushroom, there is no erasing.

As part of a continuing collection, each piece is signed, dated, numbered and recorded. Production is limited to 20 or 30 pieces per year. Each scene is an original one of a kind, it can only be drawn one time and can not be reproduced, copied or printed.

Artist Statement:

I am so preoccupied and at home in the outdoors, it seems that I can’t get enough of it. My conservation program has allowed me to travel the country and live the outdoor lifestyle that I love so much. I speak at schools all across the Nation and take youth hunters on various adventures to film them and produce television and video. Funding for the conservation program is the cause that forced me to sell my art work and like wise the effect from living my dream is what inspires me to continue carving mushrooms. I sometimes use the video for reference when I am carving.

Good mushrooms are hard to find an I usually pick them up when I am in the woods hunting. When I first find and pick one, I have no idea of what I am going to carve. The mushrooms take about a year to dry before they can be carved and in that time, I will actually see an image on the mushroom in my head. It’s difficult to explain and sounds a little crazy, but I will actually imagine the animals, rocks and trees before I carve it! That is when I look through video footage or magazines to find a picture or several pictures for detail reference of the specific animal that I am looking for. Like most hunters, I like to dream and usually end up getting carried away when it comes to antlers.

Most people refer to these fungi’s as elephant ear mushrooms, but their true name is an artists conk. I’m sure the name comes from the fact that artists have been drawing pictures on them since the beginning of time. Although I have never seen any other carved mushrooms in person, I have seen a few on the internet and have come across several painted mushrooms in my travels. I found it extremely interesting that I did not know any of this information until almost 20 years after I started carving mushrooms, but other artists came to the same conclusion when choosing a medium for their work. One of the reasons I chose and enjoy carving mushrooms is the challenge. Every mark; weather intentional or not is permanent. There is absolutely no forgiveness or erasing. If you make a mistake, you have to make it into a rock or a bush; or throw the piece away and start over. I use a finishing nail and a staple to carve my mushrooms, the color tones are created by the amount of pressure applied when carving.

As a hunter, I am part of the circle of life and it helps me respect, understand and appreciate wildlife and the ecology of our planet. As an artist, my mushrooms also contain a part of me and that thought process. I am thrilled to share my passion with the world. With 100% of the proceeds going to fund my conservation program, the purchase of a mushroom allows me to continue doing what I love and continue to fight for our heritage and traditions that started this country and make it so great. I am proud to be a hunter, proud to be a Vermonter and proud to be an American.

Mushroom Art Currently for Sale