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Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World - Hope, B.C.

Now thats unique isn't it? If you're taking a walk-about Hope it won't be long before you notice, that just about every street corner has a Chainsaw Carving Showcased. When Hope's chainsaw carver, Pete Ryan first came to Hope from Toronto, he became fascinated with 'carving with technology' instead of chisels'...

Downtown Hope, B.C.

Ryan had always been a hobby 'carver'.....but here he started honing his new skills by carving wood, moose antlers, soapstone......ice....anything hecould get his hands on - with a chainsaw!

Ryan's first major project was a huge water buffalo and elephant that he carved for Expo '86 for the Transportation Exhibit in the Yukon Pavillion.

In the early 1990's Hope was sturggling with the fact that many of the trees in Memorial Park were being ravaged with root rot and would have to be removed. Thats when Ryan came up with the idea that there might be a way to turn this situation into something positive......that somethng great could still be done with these trees. Thus Hope embarked on a project that would lead to it becoming the "Chainsaw Carving Capital".

The trees were cut down from a high point on the trunk so that a 12 foot stump remained behind. Thats where Ryan went to work on the stumps with his chainsaw and created something memorable!

These carvings are amazing...and now photographed by thousands of travellers from all over the world......Ryan now has his work displayed not just in Hope and the Fraser Canyon Canyon but all over the world. The carvings range from 'totem carvings'.......animals depicted in totems....tributes to a police dog....and historical markers.

What a terrific example of turning something negative into something terrific - benefiting the whole community!

Check out my other posts about the Hope Area!

The Hope Slide - Canada's Largest Rock Slide, Hope, B.C.

The Friendship Garden - Tashme Japanese Internment Camp - Hope, B.C.

Kawkawa Lake - Hope's Hidden Gem - B.C.

Sunshine Valley - Hope, B.C. - A Little Bit of Sunshine !

Othello-Quintette Tunnels

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you're considering a career in Real Estate or would like more information about Keller Williams please give Liz  Moras a call! Managing Broker and Team Leader - 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@shaw.ca.

                                                Copyright © 2008 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved

Posted by Liz Moras ~ Realtor, Landmark Realty Chilliwack on 09/18/2008 09:58 PM

Comments (14)

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14 Comments on Chainsaw Carving Capital of the World - Hope, B.C.

SEP

Awesome artistic talent Liz done by craftsmen that are just not found everywhere.

Gary - you always have such creative comments! :-)

SEP

wow the post and the pics are really great. the carvings are like real

<a href="http://www.urbanthink.ca">Azure House</a>

Thanks marc - you should join - so we could link..........unique and unusual toronto homes eh?

Liz, The carvings are incredible. Such talent and to think it's done with a chainsaw. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Bob - The 'chainsaw' part has gotta blow you away - no? :-)

Liz- Wood carvings, and pretty much anything made out of wood are my favorites. My first carving was of an Eagle from a piece of driftwood. Then I carved another Eagle from some river root found in a stream by the Ukrainian border.

I love the work you have showcased here...and you are so right....what a way to take a negative and make a positive :)

Kathy - another talent! Wow girl....its so good to have a form of creative expression.....do you still carve?

Liz- I haven't done any Art in awhile, including carving. That is one of the reasons I want to be a Vagabond....I want to go and sit under a tree, the river flowing nearby, the birds chirping, or at a minimum the buzz of a hot summer day as my companions. One of these days I will get back to my Art, but for now I just dream :)

SEP

Kathy - I love the word 'vagabond'.......as I do 'wanderlust'...they go hand in hand don't they?...The closest I've come to an artistic /creative outlet is 'scrapbooking'..:-( I've always wanted to try watercolours though!

Liz, these a beautiful pieces and gorgeous art! What talent it takes to do this! I have watched a few chain saw artists and it's just amazing what they can do. I too have always lusted to have my creative, artistic side unleashed. I think I have one but who knows...my stick people may not make it in the world of art.

I've always wanted to try charcoals for drawing. It looks easy enough but I've never been brave enough to jump out and try. Maybe I need to put this on my "before I die" list. I would hate to leave this world without at least trying!

Your writing is also an art, Liz. Keep it up. I've enjoyed from the first time I discovered you!

It's so good to be back! Later in the rain~Deb

Welcome Back! Deb :-) Its so good to have you back! I think we all have some latent creative talents....wouldn't it be nice to take a year off of everything - just to play and discover what those are? :-) and thanks Deb....for the kind words...