Highclere Castle Green Man Sculpture

This week’s blog is about a special commission from earlier this year: the Highclere Castle Green Man sculpture. Our Connection with Highclere It’s not every day an artist gets to create something for a place as well-known and prestigious as Highclere (aka Downton Abbey!). So how did this commission come about? The answer is… a … Read more

A Hand Between Sky and Earth Sculpture

close up of the palm of simon o'rourke's wooden A Hand Between Sky and Earth sculpture in Allai

Today is Earth Day 2022 so I’m going to share one of my most recent sculptures with an environmental message: A Hand Between Sky and Earth.     Earth Day 2022 Before I jump into the story of the A Hand Between Sky and Earth sculpture, what is Earth Day? And why is it relevant? … Read more

Eight Tree Carving Sculptures to See this Bank Holiday Weekend

Two life size sculptures of women carved from oak, standing on a balcony at Prestatyn Hillside Shelter. They are two of Simon O'Rourke's public tree carving sculptures to see this bank holiday weekend

It’s bank holiday weekend which means an extra day for relaxing. With reasonable weather predicted, why not get out and enjoy some of our British outdoors or attractions? And if you wanted to take in some public art while you’re out, here are eight of Simon’s tree carving sculptures to see this bank holiday weekend… … Read more

The Marbury Lady Revisited

Cheshire Life Magazine cover featuring The Marbury Lady sculpture by Simon O'Rourke

This month Cheshire Life magazine featured The Marbury Lady on its front cover. It was part of a feature on local photographer Alison Hamlin Hughes – AKA The (other!) Marbury Lady! Although the article wasn’t about Simon, many people have been interested in the sculpture. So, we thought we’d revisit the story behind the sculpture … 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: 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: Woodland Sculpture Trails

Woodland sculpture trails by simon o'rourke. sculpture of an owl hanging upside down next to a group of bats in Meadow Park

We’ve often talked about Simon’s woodland sculpture trails, and earlier this year we brought you virtual tours of Meadow Park, Page’s Wood, and Fforest Fawr. We wanted to answer some of the questions people often have, so here is our quick guide to woodland sculpture trails. What is a Woodland Sculpture Trail? At their most … Read more

The Giant Hand of Vyrnwy

In 2011 Simon carved what would become known as The Giant Hand of Vyrnwy. Simon wasn’t very well known at the time, and social media was only just in its early days. The hand gained some press coverage and attention, but it faded quite quickly. Recently pictures of the hand were re-shared on Facebook and … Read more

Why Commission a Sculpture Trail?

life size wood carving of a knight on a rearing horse by simon orourke.Sculpture is part of a sculpture trail in Northampton.

Autumn is the perfect time to get out into nature and visit one of Simon’s woodland sculpture trails. The reds and ambers of the leaves are stunning anyway, but they add a perfect touch of art and drama to his sculptures. If you need convincing, why not take a peek in our blogs about his … Read more