Hope, British Columbia sits on the Fraser River. This photo is taken from the river park in front of the town.
Peggy and I have ventured into British Columbia several times. And we have always been impressed. This time is no exception. The natural beauty, abundant wildlife, proud communities and friendly people guarantee our return– again and again.
We are also amused by the efforts of small communities to capture their moments of fame and share of tourist dollars. The world’s largest cross-country skis, the world’s largest beehive, and the world’s largest golf ball are all examples. These fun gestures make us smile. Out come our cameras for the obligatory photos.
The world’s tallest cross-country skis.
Chainsaw wood carving exists on another level. This once primitive art form has taken on a surprising level of sophistication. Two towns we passed through on our journey north to Alaska featured chainsaw creations: Hope is an hour or so from the border of Washington State; Chetwynd is near Dawson Creek, the beginning of the Alaska Highway.
The helpful folks at the Chetwynd Information Center explained how they had obtained their extensive collection of carvings. Each year the town hosts a chainsaw wood carving contest. Participants come from all over the world. The process starts with importing logs from Vancouver Island. The logs dry for several months and are then tagged with numbers. Individual participants draw numbers to see which log he or she gets. Contestants then have 35 hours over five days to complete their masterpieces.
Today I am featuring Hope, which is located on the mighty Fraser River. Chetwynd will be featured two or three blogs up the road.
Hope is quite proud of its chainsaw woodcarvings. A map from the Visitor’s Center took us on a walk to find the town’s sculptures.
These herons are an example of how sophisticated chainsaw wood carving has become.
Animals are a common subject for chainsaw woodcarvers.
A pair of wolves.
Fantasy figures, such as this wizard, also serve as common themes for chainsaw carvings. Note the mouse living in his beard.
The wizard also wore an eyeball ring.
Many of the chainsaw wood carvings in Hope, BC display a sense of humor such as this tourist with a guidebook in his hip pocket. Another carving can be seen on the next block.
Speaking of humor, I found this face on a statue of Bigfoot rather funny.
In my last blog I featured totem poles. Given the First Nation influence in British Columbia, it was not surprising to find Raven as one of the wood carvings.
This eagle and girl also represented a First Nation theme.
I found this face rather powerful.
My friend Bob decided to look tough in this Rambo photo board outside of the Hope Visitor Center. Stallone’s “First Blood” was filmed in the town.
Peggy and Linda share a laugh on the edge of the Fraser River at Hope BC. Possibly they were amused at Bob’s effort to look like Stallone.
Next Blog: When a campground is taken over by dogs.
Deeply impressed by the carvings – I can just about manage a straight line with the chainsaw 😉
It’s amazing what they can accomplish. BTW, my Wednesday blog will be on agility dog trials, Peggy and I happened upon in Quesnel, British Columbia on our way north to Alaska last week. Talk about amazing… –Curt
Oh, that sounds wonderful! We’ll tune in then.
Such delicate work with a chainsaw – stunning! Curt your photos are wonderful. I’m particularly struck by the detailed expression on the man’s face. ~Terri
I felt the same way about the man and how the carver captured his personality. On Friday I am featuring the carvings of Chetwynd, which I felt were even more impressive. –Curt
HelloI purchased a staute recently with Anri carved on the side. The box states it is Our Lady of Humility but I have looked everywhere and cannot find a value. Can you provide a little history on the piece like when it was first put out because the box looks older. There is a number on the box P1076, can you tell me if that means anything and the age of the piece.Thank youDolores
good way to start out a watermelon cnavirg post. If you haven’t read the first post I did on watermelon cnavirg I highlya0recommenda0it. I’ve decided to dedicate this post to pictures of flowers carved out
Finding this post. It’s just a big piece of luck for me.
i love your use of the speedball stmpas! i used to work in an art store that carried them. i was always curious as to what kind of effects one could get. i was never impressed with them until i saw your work!
The carvings are amazing– all the more so because they are done in such a short period of time. –Curt
Thanky Thanky for all this good information!
If you wrote an article about life we’d all reach enlightenment.
The carvings are wonderful. I’d never realized how much detail could be achieved with a chainsaw until after hurricane Ike. Several carvers did beautiful work, transforming trees that had been destroyed by the storm into art. There are a few photos here.
The eagle and the girl is my favorite, followed perhaps by the herons. What really surprises me is that I can’t “see” the Raven. I’ll have to come back later with fresh eyes. 😉
Enjoyed the Hurricane Ike carvings. I liked the owl the best.
Looks like my link pulled in some spammers. Feel free to carve them out. 😉
They are always out there, trying to slip through back doors. –Curt
Thiinnkg like that shows an expert’s touch
I had the pleasure of phipograthong a Tai-British summer fair a few years ago and this 90 year old lady was just sitting carving, at the end of the day she had produced a beautiful flower from the melon. amazing to watch also.
Vege carving can be amazing. I like the 90 year old part, too. –Curt
Nice photos.
Thanks for sharing those beautiful chainsaw carving sculptures!
These are amazing.. Love them all but really like the details in the raven. I would definitely massacre that log if left up to me.
Me too. (grin)
Hmmm…. You mean to say it was Rambo who destroyed this town and not Paul Bunyon for stealing his cross country skis? Who woulda thunk dat!
I wouldn’t want to tangle with one of those chainsaw carving artists, Koji. 🙂