The Art of the Working Decoy: Kayle’s Journey - Canadian Country Girl to Decoy Artist

Kayle is a Canadian country girl, born and raised in rural Southwestern Ontario. She is a wife, a mother, and an outdoorswoman whol

e love for the outdoors began long before she ever knew where that passion would lead her.

From the time she was old enough to walk, Kayle could be found playing in the mud, exploring gullies and creeks, wandering through fields, and enjoying everything the outdoors had to offer. Being outside wasn't simply something she enjoyed—it became a part of who she was.

A Love for the Water

Kayle and her husband, who she refers to as her best friend, have always shared a deep passion for the water. Together, they have spent countless hours fishing, exploring, and creating memories on the water.

He has taught Kayle an incredible amount about fishing, the water, and the lakes they know so well. He is a top-notch angler and bass fisherman who has fished countless tournaments, including several alongside Kayle, and even ran a guide boat on Lake Erie.

Through all of it, Kayle has been right there beside him, enjoying the experience just as much.

Their shared love for the outdoors eventually led them to another outdoor passion: hunting. After one duck hunt, she was hooked. 

Discovering Duck Hunting

One of the places closest to Kayle's heart is Lake St. Clair, particularly Mitchell's Bay. Over the years, the lake has become the backdrop for countless memories, adventures, and time spent together as a family.

In recent years, hunting became another way for Kayle and her family to spend time outdoors and create memories together.

But anyone familiar with duck hunting knows that a successful season involves much more than simply showing up on opening morning. There is plenty of preparation, planning, and work that goes into getting ready for the season.

One important part of that preparation is the decoy spread.

And that's where Kayle discovered a passion of her own.

From Fine Arts to Foam Decoys

Kayle has always had a keen interest in fine arts. Painting, drawing, and creating have been passions of hers for years.

Much of that artistic foundation came from her grandmother, who was a wonderful artist and taught Kayle how to paint.

When Kayle first started painting decoys, it was simply a way to freshen up some older foam birds for their own spread. She began painting and airbrushing the decoys and eventually painted a few for a friend who wanted to give them a try.

They turned out pretty good.

So she kept going.

Before long, Kayle found herself spending her spare time painting decoys for friends, family, and other hunters.

What began as a simple project quickly became something much more meaningful.

The Pursuit of Getting Better

Like anything worth learning, Kayle's journey has involved plenty of trial and error.

There have been mistakes, self-critiques, do-overs, and moments when she has had to admit that something simply didn't turn out the way she wanted.

Kayle believes that people are often their own worst critics, and she is no exception.

She isn't afraid to pick apart her own work. In fact, she sees that as an important part of growth.

To do better.

To be better.

She continually looks for ways to improve her craft. If she has a few spare moments, she can often be found researching feather patterns, studying different duck species, looking at reference photos, or learning new painting techniques.

There is always something more to learn.

For Kayle, every decoy is another opportunity to improve.

Turning Worn-Out Decoys Into Working Birds

One of the most rewarding aspects of painting decoys is taking something that is beat up, faded, weathered, or simply in rough shape and giving it a new life.

But these aren't simply decorative pieces.

They are working decoys.

They need to withstand bumpy boat rides, cold Canadian weather, wet conditions, and the occasional kiss from a shotgun.

Kayle takes pride in creating decoys that are not only visually appealing but also durable enough to do the job they were made to do.

There is something incredibly rewarding about taking a tired old decoy and turning it into something beautiful again—something that will go back out on the water and continue working for another season.

Working With Fowl Foolers

One company whose decoys Kayle has had the pleasure of painting is Fowl Foolers Decoys.

She has painted a number of their birds and has also had the opportunity to build some from the foam blank, with the loving help of her husband. More importantly, she has seen these decoys in action on the water.

Kayle considers Fowl Foolers to be quality, durable working decoys that, with proper care, could last a hunter a lifetime.

The company offers a wide range of sizes, from small teal-sized minis to goose bodies and everything in between. Their head selections are also impressive, with detailed heads that give each bird plenty of character.

For an artist who enjoys bringing out those details, working with Fowl Foolers birds has been a rewarding experience.

Why Put So Much Detail Into a Gunning Decoy?

Some hunters may say that fine detail isn't necessary on a gunning decoy.

And Kayle understands that perspective.

But for her, the reason she puts so much time and effort into the details is simple:

It brings her joy.

She enjoys the challenge of studying a bird and trying to recreate its feather patterns, colours, and characteristics.

She enjoys knowing that something she created with her own two hands is going to be sitting on the water during a hunt.

And when she sits out on the boat and watches those decoys ride the waves, there is a sense of satisfaction that makes all those hours spent painting worthwhile.

Knowing that something she created may help contribute to a successful hunt is incredibly rewarding.

It makes the decoys unique.

It makes them personal.

It makes them hers.

A Passion Built Around Family, Art, and the Outdoors

For Kayle, painting decoys has become about much more than paint and foam.

It is about family.

It is about the outdoors.

It is about the countless hours spent beside her husband on the water, learning, fishing, hunting, and exploring.

It is about creating memories with her family and passing along an appreciation for the outdoors.

It is about continually learning, challenging herself, and taking pride in creating something with her own two hands.

Most of all, it is about enjoying the journey.

From a Canadian country girl playing in the mud, gullies, creeks, and fields of Southwestern Ontario, to sitting in a boat on Lake St. Clair watching a spread of hand-painted decoys ride the waves, Kayle has found a passion that brings together so many of the things she loves.

Family.

Art.

The outdoors.

Water.

Hunting.

And the satisfaction of creating something from scratch.

Every decoy she paints carries a little piece of that journey.

And as long as there are ducks on the water, paint on her brushes, and another hunt waiting around the corner, Kayle will keep creating.

Follow Kayle's Work

Facebook: Kay HendyInstagram: @kays_refurbished_decoysEmail: kaylz19@hotmail.com

Email is the best way to get in touch.