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 chainsaw carved sculpture. Have a read a see what you think…
1. TRULY UNIQUE
The first of my reasons to buy a chainsaw carved sculpture is that you will be buying something that is totally personal to you, and absolutely unique. I work with my clients to design something that is just right for them. Other than my biscuit series, I will make similar sculptures when asked, but I don’t replicate things exactly. However, even if I did, the nature of working with wood means your sculpture will never be the same as someone else’s. The colouring, grain, markings and the way it changes as it ages all mean your sculpture will always be truly unique.
2. OWNERSHIP & PARTICIPATION
Another of my reasons to commission a chainsaw carved sculpture by me is the opportunity it gives for participation and ownership. When you go and buy something off the shelf, you don’t participate in the process. However, when you commission a sculpture with me, you can be as involved (or not!) in the design process as you wish. Some clients like to have a lot of input. Others prefer to let me run with it. It’s entirely up to you how involved you want to be. And if it’s an on-site sculpture you can even watch me make it!
This participation and owenership creates a different connection/relationship with the piece and can make it feel more special – as well as being something unique to you.
3. PRESERVATION & RESTORATION
I never use timber from a tree where life is a possibility. The best ttree is a living one! I only make my sculptures from trees that were dead, diseased or dangerous (and had to be cut down). That means when you commission a sculpture from me, you are restoring life to a dead tree by transforming it into a piece of art. Or, in some cases, preserving the life of something that would otherwise be removed. An examples of this is the Giant Hand of Vyrnwy and my Charles II sculpture. The Giant Hand is carved into the trunk of a storm-damaged tree. Rather than cut the whole thing down, I was able to create a sculpture in the remaining stump.
4. SUSTAINABILITY
The next reason to get a chainsaw carved sculpture from me is sustainability. As I said, I only use trees that are no longer viable. This means nothing is being cut down just for the sake of art. I’m part of the Treecycle initiative too, which helps offset the carbon emissions from my tools and travel.
More than that though, is the material itself. What happens to the art you buy after you no longer want or need it?
Perhaps someone else will buy it. But perhaps it will end up in landfill.
My wood sculptures will eventually rot though and return to the earth and even help nourish it or provide a home for wildlife. And that seems like a good reason to me to choose a wood sculpture!
5. BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS
If you’re business owner or leader in the community, this next reason is for you.
A sculpture can increase flow of clients/visitors and improve their experience. Even if your business or attraction is thriving, it can provide a reason to visit a lesser-visited area. For example, the location of my Powis Castle Wyverns helps draw people to an area of the estate people often wouldn’t visit. The sculpture doubles as a play prompt for children so people now have a reason to visit (see the sculpture) and spend time there. Trails that tell a story are particularly helpful in increasing the time a visitor will spend at your attraction as they will want to finish the story.
People will often post photos of themselves with a sculpture on social media too. If you place your sculpture strategically, ask them to tag you or even run a competition you also get free publicity!
6. TELL YOUR STORY
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And so is a sculpture! If you want to help share a story about your business or community, a sculpture can do that in a visual way. And, being 3D, can be experienced by people who are visually impaired in a way a painting or poster can’t!
I’ve created all kinds of sculptures that help tell the story of an area including the very specific (Mungo Park for a Wetherspoons in his home town) or and more general pieces that helps set the scene (a peat carrier and pony trap driver in Stornaway). Another example is this vintage cricketer created for a Hopkins Home development. The development is on the site of the former county cricket club so it paid tribute to the history of the area. Which leads me to…
CELEBRATE & COMMEMORATE
My final reason for buying a chainsaw carved sculpture is to celebrate and commemorate a person, animal, or event. Sculptures can be a great way to keep a person’s memory alive, pay tribute to somebody, or remember an event. My memorial sculptures include benches, animals, portraits of an actual person, and figures such as WWII soldiers. I’ve heard some fascinating and poignant backstories to my commissions such as Blackie the Warhorse or my Airman at Highclere.
You don’t have to stick to reality either. One family chose to portray their daughter as a fairy, capturing something of her spirit and character. Another lady asked me to created fairies, imps and elves for her garden with the faces of her grandchildren. And this giant of a Grandfather with a beautiful legacy was 1.5x life size. And if portraiture isn’t your thing, then chat to me about a pillar incorporating some favourite things, or a bench.
Whoever the person or whatever the occasion, commemorating someone or something special is a great reason to commission a sculpture.
OVER TO YOU?
So they’re my first seven reasons to commission a chainsaw carved sculpture. Even as I write, I can think of others (eg supporting an artist rather than buying something mass produced). Would you add any others? Leave a comment and let me know.
And if you’re feeling inspired to commission a sculpture, do get in touch! Fill out the form at www.treecarving.co.uk/contact/ and one of us will be in touch. I’m look forward to hearing from you!