Carving in the Ozarks...The Sequel

In April, we traveled to Eureaka Springs, Arkansas, so my dad could once again take part in the Carving in the Ozarks festival.  Last year was his first year there and it was as much an amazing experience for me as it was my dad.  This year was even more exciting and inspiring for both of us.  We met some incredible people and reconnected with old friends from last year.  I walked away feeling blessed to have been there to watch my dad take part in the event.  I felt so inspired by it that I can home and started chainsaw carving myself.  As an old friend said, "You have a great teacher."  He's right.  My dad is patient and encouraging.  He doesn't judge your technique or vision, but rather nurture them both.  Now, let's not confuse his nurturing and encouragement with him being a softy.  He may ride a moped rather than a Harley, but I would certainly not want to mess with him or any of his chainsaw carving buddies.  I guess what I'm trying to say in a very strange way is, "Thanks, Dad!"  Here are some photos of this year's Carving in the Ozarks.

My Dad:

New Friends:

A Little Tribute

This post is slightly off the subject of chainsaw carving, but it very much relates to the person my father, the chainsaw carver, is today.  Many words can be used to describe my dad; father, husband, grandfather, entreprenuer, chainsaw carver, artist, salesman, but the one that is probably the biggest contributor to who he is today is: Marine.  He was drafted into the Marine Corp during the Vietnam War.  For a man with strong convictions, it was difficult having a path chosen for him, but over 40 years later, he wouldn't have it any other way.  My dad is living proof to the idea of "once a Marine, always a Marine".  Though his tour of duty in Vietnam eventually cost him his voice, he still couldn't be more proud to have served his country.  His patriotism runs deep and to me he is a constant reminder of why we have so many amazing freedoms and opportunities in this country.  To those who know my dad, they know that free speech is probably his number one freedom, and we all must remember that the soldiers themselves probably deserve that freedom more than any of us.  To end this post, I must say thank you to my dad as well as all soldiers, past, present and future, who are, have, or will serve our country.  The United States of America is the home of the free because of the brave.   

A little reminder of what it's all for:

A Birthday With Paul Bunyan

I think that it is fairly safe to say that my dad had a pretty special birthday this past September. He was asked to take part in the 75th anniversary party at the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp at the beautiful Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The camp is truly a living piece of our region's rich logging history. My dad spent the afternoon carving and sharing his talent with people of all ages. One might call it work, but for my dad it was simply an excuse to do what he loves. My daughter (dad's boss) was able to take part in the fun and learn a little in the process. We even got a small spot on the local news. (Does the theory, "There are no small parts, only small actors" apply here?) The wonderful staff also took time out to sing happy birthday to my dad. We were all touched and very pleased with the outcome of the day. Enjoy some of the moments I was able to freeze in time.

The big guy himself:

A little fancy footwork:

Into his work:

See what a good actor my dad is?  He is actually going over a completed carving so the news guy could catch him in action:

Happy birthday to you!  Happy birthday to you!  Happy birthday dear Greg (or Dad or Papa)!  Happy birthday to you!

The last three photos are just some that I thought really respresented the history at this beautiful camp:

Northern Wisconsin State Fair 2009

Last summer my dad was given the opportunity to carve at the local fair. He always manages to draw a crowd, and the looks of amazement he receives is very rewarding (of course he doesn't get to see those looks, but I sure do)! Here are some action shots:

Carving in the Ozarks 2009

Last April, my dad was given the opportunity of taking part in Carving in the Ozarks. There were over 20 carvers gathered together to showcase their talents. Each one of them had a different style, but the same purpose: having fun and using their talents to raise money for charity. Here are some of the hundreds of pictures that I was able to capture:

On log selection day, My dad received some advice from his partner and grand-daughter, Beth. I'm certain he couldn't have done it without her:



My dad in action:







One of the completed projects:



Some of the gang:

To Give Credit Where Credit is Due

I have decided that in order to properly showcase my dad's amazing talent, I would create a blog dedicated to his carving endeavors. My father is a disabled Vietnam Marine Vet who has found an outlet for his "forced" early-retirement. Carving became a hobby for my father long before his disability surfaced. He started carving by hand in the early 1990's. His skill for carving songbirds and small animals was, in my humble opinion, amazing. In 1996 he took on the daunting task of chainsaw carving. His first carving took him weeks to perfect, but after that was completed he was bit by the chainsaw carving bug. Over the next several years, he "puttered around" with the art while working full-time on his "real" job. In 1999, he began carving on a full-time basis while he and my mother ran their gift shop in Branson, Missouri. At this point carving became his passion. In 2006, he battled, and defeated, cancer. He didn't return from the battle unscathed. He lost his larynx to the disease, but pushed on and learned to talk with a prosthetic voice-box. He beat the odds and never let it get him down. After recovering from surgery, he knew he could never return to his previous careers, but he was able to continue carving. Carving became his therapy. It keeps him strong and young despite the fact that he cannot work. He has been able to take part in several carving exhibitions over the past year and as long as he is able to lift that chainsaw I am certain he will be taking part in several more in the coming years. I will be posting pictures that I have captured at these events. Please enjoy and check back often to see where his passion takes him next!