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Daily Read — Wildlife

Chainsaw Artist Turns Logs into Realistic Animal Sculptures

Simon Bogg, a 53‑year‑old wood‑carver from Louth, Lincolnshire, has turned chainsaw work into a thriving art business. He began carving with a chainsaw three decades ago after his mother asked him to make a mushroom, and the demand for his pieces grew rapidly. Bogg now spends up to three days on a single sculpture, working eight‑hour shifts that can involve sore backs, aching wrists and the risk of deafness from vibration. Without a detailed plan, he uses a reference photo and chops away excess wood before shaping the animal, creating realistic horses, birds, elephants and owls that fetch up to $150 for smaller pieces. His most ambitious work is a 22‑ft tall stag that he carved from imported cedar, and other large pieces sell between $6,800 and $9,500 (£5,000‑£7,000) each. Bogg’s carvings are sold across the UK, with commissions often arriving from clients who want unique, hand‑crafted wildlife art. While he acknowledges the physical dangers of chainsaw work, he says the joy of creating “big, impossible” animals keeps him motivated. The artist’s story illustrates how a self‑taught craftsman can transform a simple tool into a celebrated medium for animal sculpture.

· Good News Network

The essential points

  1. 0153‑year‑old Simon Bogg carves animal sculptures with a chainsaw
  2. 02He works up to three days on a single piece, often eight‑hour shifts
  3. 03His largest sculpture is a 22‑ft tall stag made from imported cedar
  4. 04Pieces sell between $6,800 and $9,500 (£5,000‑£7,000) each

The full brief

Simon Bogg, a 53‑year‑old wood‑carver from Louth, Lincolnshire, has turned chainsaw work into a thriving art business. He began carving with a chainsaw three decades ago after his mother asked him to make a mushroom, and the demand for his pieces grew rapidly. Bogg now spends up to three days on a single sculpture, working eight‑hour shifts that can involve sore backs, aching wrists and the risk of deafness from vibration.

Without a detailed plan, he uses a reference photo and chops away excess wood before shaping the animal, creating realistic horses, birds, elephants and owls that fetch up to $150 for smaller pieces. His most ambitious work is a 22‑ft tall stag that he carved from imported cedar, and other large pieces sell between $6,800 and $9,500 (£5,000‑£7,000) each. Bogg’s carvings are sold across the UK, with commissions often arriving from clients who want unique, hand‑crafted wildlife art.

While he acknowledges the physical dangers of chainsaw work, he says the joy of creating “big, impossible” animals keeps him motivated. The artist’s story illustrates how a self‑taught craftsman can transform a simple tool into a celebrated medium for animal sculpture.