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I Create Wooden Sculptures Using Chainsaws And Other Power Tools

I power carve creatures – both real and imaginary – from huge single blocks of wood with a chainsaw. Power carving is the process of using hand power tools to carve wood.

My sculptures are made using chainsaws of varying types while finer details require the use of many other smaller tools. They are made by hand, never by computer design or machine process. The sculptures are burned to create contrast and detail, never painted or dyed. Finishing requires many layers of polyurethane varnish to preserve the piece and reduce cracking from moisture differentials. The finished product is made only of wood, varnish, and happiness.

The wood used in all my sculptures is obtained from discarded, invasive species trees that are removed as part of an ‘invasive species removal project’ or felled by private citizens and earmarked to be sold as firewood. I do not fell trees and would never fell a tree for the purpose of sculpture. Sculptures are created from raw wood pieces with no chemical treatment prior to carving.

I have named my business ‘Section 37’ which refers to the myth of lumberjack heaven or hell. Historically, logging townships contained 36 sections so “section 37” was said to describe something strange and unusual.

A 1969 quote from New England and the Great Lakes region refers to section 37 as lumberjack heaven “where all good loggers go to cash in their chips”.

More recently ‘section 37’ is the slang term for legislation allowing for the commitment of a mentally ill patient in lieu of prison but let’s not ask too many questions.

More info: section37.co.za