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  • The Delicate Art of Chainsaw Wood Carving: Part 2… North to Alaska

    Posted at 5:00 am by Curt Mekemson
    Jul 19th
    Peggy, who had just been kayaking on Dragon Lake in Quesnel, BC was immediately attracted to this dragon wood carving in Chetwynd.

    Peggy, who had just been kayaking on Dragon Lake in Quesnel, BC, was immediately attracted to this dragon wood carving in Chetwynd. (Photograph by Peggy Mekemson)

    On Monday I provided an introduction to the art of wood carving with a chainsaw in Hope, British Columbia. Today we will see what Chetwynd, BC has to offer. As I mentioned earlier, Chetwynd holds an annual contest in June that attracts wood carvers from around the world. We quickly found that the number and variety of carvings was even greater than we had found in Hope. I was amazed at what could be accomplished in 36 hours. it made me think about the months and even years, sculptures spend working on a block of marble.

    Chainsaw wood carving at Chetwynd, BC

    I was more entranced by this scary pumpkin scarecrow.

    Chainsaw wood carving at Chetwynd, BC

    A close up of the head. How would you like to meet up with this guy on a dark night?

    Chainsaw wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    The complete sculpture. Like Scarecrow in Oz, he had straw stuffing trying to escape.

    A close up of the head on Peggy's dragon. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson)

    A close up of the head on Peggy’s dragon. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson)

    Chainsaw woodcarving at Chetwynd, BC

    Was this crusty gold miner saying “Don’t take my photo”?

    Chainswa wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    A close up of the miner’s face in Chetwynd, BC.

    Chainsaw wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    I found the perspective on this bear totem pole interesting.

    Chainsaw carving in Chetwynd, BC

    Deer totem pole.

    Chainsaw wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    An eagle lands to feed its chick. (Photograph by Peggy Mekemson)

    Chainsaw wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    A bear tries to raid an eagle’s nest. The eagle objects.

    Chainsaw wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    The Thinker? (Photograph by Peggy Mekemson)

    Chainsaw woodcarving in Chetwynd, BC

    Another perspective. This ram had quite a set of horns.

    Chainsaw wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    A Samurai warrior.

    Chainsaw wood carving in Chetwynd, BC

    A carved relief on the side of the Chetwynd, BC Visitor Center of St. George slaying the dragon.

    It seems appropriate to end this blog on Chetwynd, BC chainsaw wood carving with a moose.

    It seems appropriate to end this blog on Chetwynd, BC chainsaw wood carving with a moose.

    Chainsaw carving in Chetwynd, BC

    Another photo of the moose.

    Next Blog: The busy beavers of the Toad River.

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    Author: Curt Mekemson

    Wanderer, writer, photographer and activist. I've now settled in Southern Oregon. 1.8 million acres of national forest are out the backdoor and the beautiful Applegate River is out the front door. I like travel, reading, history and wild places. I am married to the lovely, funny, bright Peggy.
    Posted in Wandering The World | Tagged British Columbia, chainsaw wood carvings, chainsaw wood carvings in Chetwynd BC, Chetwynd BC, North to Alaska |

    15 thoughts on “The Delicate Art of Chainsaw Wood Carving: Part 2… North to Alaska”

    • Animalcouriers

      July 19, 2013 at 5:08 am

      WOW – now these are considerably more impressive!

      Reply
    • Alison

      July 19, 2013 at 5:45 am

      Scarecrow is my fave 🙂

      Reply
    • gallivance.net

      July 19, 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Incredible Curt! Were these all done with a chainsaw? The craftsmanship is exceptional. The dragon is gorgeous, but I must admit that the Thinker certainly got my attention. Wonderful photos Peggy! ~Terri

      Reply
    • sixdegreesphotography

      July 19, 2013 at 2:43 pm

      Another great set.. Love that Samurai.. I wonder do they have special chainsaw blades.. how do they get such small detail with a regular blade?

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        July 20, 2013 at 10:45 pm

        I suspect they have special blades. –Curt

        Reply
    • FeyGirl

      July 20, 2013 at 8:55 am

      WOW! The artistry and craftmanship is absolutely stunning…. I love the dragon, but the scarecrow is just amazing.

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        July 20, 2013 at 10:48 pm

        That scarecrow was really unique. Imagine meeting him on Halloween.

        Reply
        • Rubeni

          July 30, 2013 at 7:08 pm

          as the horses were in the Paddock that he wneatd the number 3 horse to win. And sure enough, our lucky little boy won the best odds on the board with the winning horse. I know who I am pairing up with for my exacta bets at the track this season. Oh by the way Dad, Charlie asked this weekend to me and Biz, what time do the Jockeys have to put their clothes on before the race. We told him that was a good question for Pappy, he will probably know.love,annie

        • sildenafil

          August 7, 2013 at 12:28 am

          Kick the tires and light the fires, problem officially solved!

        • Metin

          October 23, 2013 at 9:00 pm

          the 19 years we have been chainsaw cavirng here at the chainsaw cavirng school we have seen lots of people go on to enjoy a new hobby while earning some money as a chainsaw

        • Curt Mekemson

          October 24, 2013 at 7:20 am

          Thanks for commenting. I’ll check out your chain carving school. Peggy and I were fascinated with what could be accomplished. It is obviously an art form. –Curt

    • shoreacres

      July 20, 2013 at 4:55 pm

      I think that relief carving on the side of the visitors’ center must have been done with more traditional tools than a chainsaw. I’m a fan of the eagle and its chicks, myself. But that crusty old miner does have an attitude I sometimes saw expressed in NoCal, back in the day. Bumper stickers demanded, “Don’t Californicate Oregon”, or “Don’t Let Your Karma Run Over my Dogma”. I really liked “Don’t Send An Adverb to do an Adjective’s Job”.

      I’ve been trying to figure out why Chetwynd seems so familiar. Turns out one of my readers is from Nanaimo, and heads into the interior from time to time. He’s mentioned the place. It’s certainly beautiful country.

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        July 20, 2013 at 10:58 pm

        The totem poles I ran last week were just below Nanaimo. No doubt the relief carving was done with something other than a chainsaw.

        I remember the don’t Californicate Oregon campaign. Oregonians still have a similar attitude but half the folks in our area are from California…. including us. I was born in Oregon however… and I have two sets of great-great grandparents buried within 20 miles of where we live. So the old timers aren’t as old timer as me! –Curt

        Reply
    • Vinko Kopanicarstvo

      July 21, 2013 at 3:52 pm

      Many beautiful chainsaw wood carvings.
      My favorite is the samurai warrior.

      Reply
      • Curt Mekemson

        July 21, 2013 at 4:27 pm

        If I have my dates straight, The Samurai was last years winner. He is indeed impressive. –Curt

        Reply

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