Anthony Hillman
While Anthony Hillman may have “carved a niche” for himself (pun intended) with the striking decoys he makes and sells—he also illustrates and paints shorebirds. And he writes books. And he’s been an artist at heart since early childhood.
“I’ve been drawing and painting ever since I could hold a pencil or brush,” Hillman told us. “I used to draw on our Encyclopedia Book of Knowledge endpapers, since they were the only clear sheets I could find at four years old. Things took off in Atlantic City High School as my art class teacher, Pat Gerard, was very supportive—and a sharp critic—in those years. Mr. Luke Heath taught Commercial Art; that helped me in that field.”
Born in Atlantic City in 1948, Hillman says that providing wild game for a family with five boys was not only important, but part of local tradition. “I started carving as a practical solution to provide myself with actual hunting decoys,” he said.
Hillman is a true native of the region, and his surroundings were a natural inspiration in his artistic pursuits, which were not just limited to carving. “My family has lived in South Jersey since the late 1600s,” Hillman told us. “My fondest memories are of roaming the beaches and dunes of North Wildwood alone as a 10-year-old, which in those days was fairly normal. There was an Osprey nest on just about every telephone pole along the beach roads. The beach and marshes were my playground. I attended St. Ann’s School in Wildwood, often falling asleep on the bus on the way.”
Once out of high school, Hillman worked as a truck driver for a year, then joined the Marine Corps in 1968 and served as part of a 40-man Marine Detachment on the USS Columbus (CG-12). “Upon my honorable discharge, I worked the waters of Brigantine Bay as a commercial clammer for four years in my 20s. I moved from Brigantine to Cape May County in the 1980s.”
Hillman had also started working as a commercial artist. “I was an illustrator for several years, both freelance and for magazines and books,” he said. “Accounts included Philadelphia Magazine and New Jersey Outdoors. Being a commercial artist in the 60s and 70s meant illustration—line drawings mostly—cutting and paste up, using a Camera Lucida to reduce and enlarge photos, type, and logos, opaquing negatives. All of my involvement in the arts was spurred by my need to make a living, doing what I loved. I almost never turned down a job as a freelance artist.”
Hillman says he loves all the artforms he practices equally. “Carvings start with a pencil profile drawing to make a pattern. Sometimes I draw directly on the wood itself. Once I started carving, some of my friends wanted decoys and I added this craft to my repertoire.”
Another way that Hillman has added to his repertoire is via the 30+ how-to books he has written for other budding carvers and artists. They’re available on Amazon, but he says if ordered directly from him, he’ll sign your copy. Additionally, he provides appraisals and does restoration work.
“I currently live in Cape May Court House, and work from home making original carvings and paintings,” Hillman said. “I have a small gallery behind my home, with hours by appointment. I’m usually home most days or not far away. I do commissions and provide a colored sketch for custom work. The roughing out of my carvings is done in my work shed, the painting in my 10’x 16’ gallery, which I insulated and paneled with pine boards.”
When he’s not carving or painting, Hillman is an avid if casual birder. “Rather than counting species, I prefer to learn their personalities,” he said. “If I ever had a hobby, it was restoring older cedar duck boats to save the heritage of our coast. I was a surfer up until several years ago, but wear and tear took its toll.”
Hillman does offer his work on the internet as well, he said, “mostly on general decoy sites such as Southern Decoy Collectors. I was active on eBay for several years, and often see my work offered from estates from decades back.” These days, he sells from a website that his brother Mike made for him, with photos of carvings and paintings that show the range of his work. “My prices range from $45 and up,” he told us. “Right now, I have two shorebird groupings, each at $750.”
Perhaps most importantly, he continues to learn and grow as an artist. “At 77, I feel blessed to have been able to pursue my creative lifestyle with the support of family and friends,” Hillman said. “I’m still learning the arts in every medium. Time is my only limiting factor.”
To view Hillman’s art, visit hillmanart.com, or visit his gallery by appointment. 609 602-8852
