Creating a Sculpture Trail Part One: Proposal and Preparation

Creating a sculpture trail. Photo shows a collection of oak woodland animals on a workshop floor ready to be transported.

In the blog “Why is Art Expensive?”, we explained there is a lot of work that goes into creating a sculpture. That work goes far beyond carving, and may even need to be completed before a commission is confirmed. That is especially the case when Simon bids for a commission, rather than someone approaching him. … Read more

Things to Consider When You Commission an On-Site Chainsaw Carving Sculpture

Photo shows a man carving a sculpture from a tree trunk. He is standing in a tall cherry picker. Equipment like this is one of the Things to Consider When You Commission an On-Site Chainsaw Carving Sculpture

A chainsaw carving sculpture can be a great addition to your home or business. It’s a lovely way to give life back to a tree that is dead, diseased or dangerous. As well as being a beautiful piece of art in its own right, it can also add value to your attraction or home. However, … Read more

How Do I Care For A Tree Carving Sculpture?

Care for a tree carving sculpture. Photo shows a close up of a yew dragon mouth sculpture treated with decking oil

I’m often asked is how to care for a sculpture after it’s installed. It’s a really good question! I’m also often asked how to treat the wood to help preserve its life. If you want to retain the colour on a sculpture then there are several things you can do to help. And so, today’s … Read more

How to Raise Funds for a Tree Carving Sculpture

Photo shows an oak bench with a sculpture of shakespear sitting on the far end

There’s no doubt about it, commissioning a sculpture by Simon can be expensive. As we explained in our blog “Why is Art so Expensive?“, there are lots of costs that go into creating a chainsaw carved sculpture. It’s not just the timber and time! This cost can be off-putting, and ultimately cause people to write … Read more

FAQs: Why is Art Expensive? (What You Pay for When you Commission a Sculpture)

ayrton senna bust by simon o'rourke in foreground. It is in progress. In the background Simon looks at a wall of senna photos, checking the details for his sculpture

But why does it cost so much? This is a question artists are asked across every field. Whether the artist is a sculpture, musician, painter, photographer (or any other field!) they are frequently asked to justify their prices. Many artists struggle to make a living as they often end up not charging enough to cover … Read more

Commissioning the Right Sculpture – Why Some Designs Make the Cut, (!!!!), and Others Don’t!

commissioning the best sculpture: a sketch of a lion by simon o'rourke. It is the head and front legs on a lion standing on a plinth. the lion is suggested to be Aslan from C S Lews' Narnia series.

It’s probably no surprise that Simon has an archive of sketches that never became sculptures. There are all kinds of reasons for this. It is SO important for a piece of commissioned art to be EXACTLY what the client wants. This means that no matter how great an idea, sometimes it just doesn’t work out … Read more

FAQs: Who are your influences?

who are your influences? photo shows a close up of a wizard carved in oak by simon o'rourke. it has a rough, unrefined and highly textured finish. This is close to the work of influences on him like Rodin and Degas.

One of the questions artists often get asked is ‘Who are your influences?’. Simon is no different as people are curious about his training and inspiration. And so, we thought we would blog about it! Read on to discover some of Simon’s influences as a sculptor. Who are your Influences: Storytelling The first of Simon’s … Read more

FAQs: What is the Best Wood for a Sculpture?

The Oak Maiden by Simon O'Rourke. Oak is the best wood for a sculpture according to chainsaw carver simon o'rourke

Welcome back to our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ series! This week we answer one of Simon’s most commonly asked questions. That is, ‘What is the best wood for a sculpture?’. What is the Best Wood for a Sculpture: Sustainability So, the first thing we want to mention is something more personal and subjective. That is the … Read more

FAQs: How Long Will My Wood Sculpture Last?

How long will my wood sculpture last? Picture shows side by side photos of a stylised woman's face sculpture to show the aging process. Photo one is warm, with lots of yellow and orange tones. The second has much more depth and is more grey in tone.

Diary of a chainsaw carver – The ticking clock… No this isn’t about actual clocks, although Simon did create a working longcase clock once!! This is actually about a question Simon is often asked: How will my wood sculpture age? And it’s a very valid question. They say time waits for no man, and it … Read more

How to Commission A Sculpture

How to commission a sculpture: picture shows a side by side of Simon O'rourke's original sketch and a finished sculpture of George and the Dragon. Minor changes were made to accomodate the flaws in the wood

How do I commission a sculpture? If you find yourself thinking about commissioning a bespoke wood sculpture, you may be wondering where to start. The first thing is I want to make it as easy as possible for you to commission your own sculpture! So this is how I guide you through that process… How … Read more