This series of blogs covers the frequently asked questions Simon O’Rourke receives about chainsaw carving, and the how (and why!) of commissioning a sculpture.
As an artist, I often create sculptures for public places that the whole community can enjoy. Sometimes, when I post the photos on social media, I read the comments, and it seems some people think I’m Banksy with a chainsaw! They have the impression I roam the country, choosing trees to transform secretly! While that … Read more
As a chainsaw carver with (ahem) *some* years experience, people often ask me about the tools I use. From time to time I review tools in a blog. For example, THIS ONE about the Stihl MS300i. You might also have seen my MS200 review or the blogs I wrote on my favourite Saburrtooth burrs or … Read more
I’m just going to say it. Art can be expensive. And whilst there are reasons for the cost of art, it means that buying a piece of art for your home, business or community is not always an easy decision.I’m obviously biased, but despite the cost, there are loads of great reasons to buy a … Read more
It’s been amazing to travel so much as part of my career as an artist. I’m often invited to different parts of the Uk (and even overseas) to transform dead or damaged trees into beautiful sculptures. I also frequently transport sculptures around the country that I make in the studio. What an honour!One day I’ll … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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