John Braun
Kent Freeman can turn an individual's ideas and words into a beautiful work of art. Kent's imagination and ability to turn an experience from the past into a reality in wood, makes you feel like you have been at the scene in the carving.
My first experience with Kent was the result of seeing his name in a decoy collectors magazine. I called and asked if he could carve on a duck call. As a result of that conversation, Kent produced in reality what I relayed over the phone. I told him that I would like a matched set of duck and goose calls with rattlesnakes entwined up the barrels of the calls, including the rattles and heads of the snakes.
His interpretation of my verbal description was almost exactly what I imagined in my minds eye.
This set of calls won the "Matched Set" and "Best of Show" competition at the 1992 Callmakers and Collectors of America Fancy Call Contest.
I now have 13 of Kent's works, that are priceless to me. They are the center of attention in displays that I do for Ducks Unlimited and the Missouri Department of Conservation. I am anxiously awaiting #14, which is on order.
Sincerely,
John Braun
editors note: John Braun is a Charter Member of the Callmakers and Collectors Association of America. His collection of duck, goose, and turkey calls is one of the finest and largest in the United States. He is widely recognized as an authority on the subject of call collecting. He frequently displays his collection throughout the Midwest and is always happy to help and encourage other collectors.
