Sunday, 3 July 2011

Wood Carvers

The wood carvers were back again in Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure this year.  Either I missed them last year, or they had a year's break.  I have not seen any new carvings around the town, so I suspect that they took a year off.   For  photos from previous years, take a look under 'labels' and 'wood carving'.

As I said in earlier blogs, the team of wood carvers come from Canada.  They are amazing to watch and they work with chain saws, hammers and chisels and finally they sand everything smooth by hand.  The end products are eventually treated with sealer and placed in and around the town for all to see.  I made four visits down to the town this year, so I could take photos as work on the various sculptures progressed. Note all photos can be enlarged with a single click.
There were in fact 5 logs in this group; two were out of shot over on the right. The wood is cedar and the smell while they are working is very strong.  You can see they had just begun when I took this photo.
This are the same three logs as above and you can see how much work had been done on them by the middle of the week. The fourth log was modern art, and at this stage I had still not decided if it was my style or not!
This face was very distinctive already.

Without the sketch, I think I would still have been wondering

This one I thought may be an angel but you will soon see how wrong I was!
The eagle is starting to take shape on the third visit

and the 'angel' was now very definitely an owl with another face appearing below

I was still not sure about the modern art, but thought it was time you took a look! I have also realised that somehow I missed photos of the fifth log until the end!

The face was improving by the minute.
 
My last visit and they were still working on the finishing touches. Note the moustache is in fact a fish.  There were two of them, one on each side.
The owl from the front
and from the back, suddenly  a turtle appeared.
The eagle, if you look carefully, has a fish in its talons

The carving I had previously missed, has a horses head above a mushroom, with a snail climbing up the right hand side. On the top of the mushroom is a ladybird.
The final touches to the modern art
and a final summation of the week's work.
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100 comments:

  1. Mary Bergfeld3 July 2011 at 18:46

    Fascinating! How fortunate you are to be able to see the works in progress. Do the artists/carvers receive remuneration from the town? It mus tbe a good tourist draw. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  2. Diane3 July 2011 at 18:52

    Mary all the information I can find is in French so I am limited to what I can discover. I am though quite sure they get remuneration from the town. As I say they return yearly other than I am not sure about 2010. It certainly is an attraction to locals and visitors as the carvers are there daily for a week. Take care Diane

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  3. Vera3 July 2011 at 19:06

    It's nice to see such craftsmanship in action, and I admire their use of the chain saws! It is a machine I would fear to use - mind you, Diane, I doubt I would even be able to pick one up let alone use it!

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  4. Craig3 July 2011 at 19:38

    They are quite remarkable aren't they? I'm always impressed with people who have such raw talent.
    You should have had a word with the Diane and commissioned them to make a totem pole for your lovely garden there. Now THAT would get the neighbours talking!

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  5. Diane3 July 2011 at 20:14

    Vera if you don't know what you are doing they can be vicious. I have good neighbours who help me out! The craftsmanship on the carvings is remarkable. Did you note that the modern art carving was a women working on it. Diane

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  6. Diane3 July 2011 at 20:18

    Craig strange you should say that, I already said to Nigel when we take down the dead cedar tree, maybe we should get them to carve the trunk into a large bear at the bottom of the garden!! Trouble is if you have to ask how much, you know you cannot afford it!! I wish I had the talent to do it but that is way beyond me. Sigh..... Diane

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  7. Rosaria Williams3 July 2011 at 20:19

    What beautiful work, and so very difficult to achieve. It looks easy to those who have not tried carving. But, it is not. Great artisans, indeed.

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  8. Diane3 July 2011 at 20:22

    Rosaria how right you are, they make it look very easy. What I would find so difficult is that you cannot make a mistake. No rubbing out or painting over!! Diane

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  9. tinyskillet3 July 2011 at 20:33

    I love watching a work in progress and see how it develops. So good of you to show us. Each year on Siesta Beach they have sand sculptors and it is the same amazement of what they can do with sand, very fascinating.

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  10. Diane3 July 2011 at 21:09

    Lyndsey when we lived in Mafikeng there was a guy at the Hotel School who was an artist working in chocolate, the results were amazing. Sadly I have no photos, I was not blogging then!! I am also fascinated by ice sculptures. Diane

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  11. Anne in Oxfordshire3 July 2011 at 21:54

    Wow these are amazing,, My brother in law is a wood craftsman .. he does absolutely all sorts .. I will have to see if I can get some photos of his work. xx

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  12. Deana Sidney3 July 2011 at 21:56

    How did they do that so quickly??? Amazing work on such large pieces of wood. I love the giant birds.

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  13. Joyful3 July 2011 at 23:16

    I love wood carvings. Recently on a visit to my mom we passed through the town of Hope. They had many wood carvings scattered around the town but I didn't take any photos!

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  14. Cate4 July 2011 at 00:06

    Wow amazing - yes one of those would be a talking point in your garden - but as you say if you have to ask the price perhaps it is out of the question!

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  15. Dianne4 July 2011 at 00:30

    Amazing wood sculptures - such detailing - I imagine the smell of the beautiful cedar would have added to the atmosphere of the occasion!
    Thanks for the pics. xx

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  16. Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover4 July 2011 at 03:11

    Their jobs look amazing, respect their beautiful jobs.

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  17. Gaelyn4 July 2011 at 06:37

    How very cool to follow this process. And such major changes. I am amazed that people can carve with a chainsaw.

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  18. Diane4 July 2011 at 07:56

    Anne perhaps your brother in law can come and carve my bear at the bottom of the garden Haha. It would be good to see some pictures of his work. Hope you are feeling better. Diane

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  19. Liesl4 July 2011 at 07:57

    Wow,what incredible talent! I cannot imagine myself working away with a chainsaw like that!

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  20. Diane4 July 2011 at 07:57

    lostpastremembered A week is no time at all for the resuts that they produce, it amazes me. Diane

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  21. Diane4 July 2011 at 07:59

    Joyful I wonder if the wood carvings are done by the same people as come here, pity you did not take photos, perhaps if you go that way again..... Diane

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  22. Diane4 July 2011 at 08:00

    Cate I am sure they would be very expensive, but it would look good in the garden :-) Diane

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  23. Diane4 July 2011 at 08:01

    Dianne the smell certainly adds to the occasion you are right and it is quite strong. I enjoyed following the work, they are very clever with their detail. Diane

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  24. Diane4 July 2011 at 08:02

    Sonia thanks for your commnet, wish I could do something like that..... Diane

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  25. Diane4 July 2011 at 08:04

    Gaelyn I was stunned the first year I saw them working with a chain saw, they are totally fascinating to watch what they produce with it. Diane

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  26. Diane4 July 2011 at 08:07

    Liesl, their talent is something else and working with those chain saws...... I can only imagine how much damage I could do!!! Diane

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  27. Unknown4 July 2011 at 08:11

    These guys are brilliant Diane, I can just about manage to cut a large branch off with my chain saw.

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  28. Dolly4 July 2011 at 08:58

    Well you have completely gob-smacked me here Diane. I dropped in to read about France, a country I adore like yourself. Instead I can smell the cedar of where I grew up in western Canada, where these sorts of carvings are everywhere. The west coast of British Columbia is where the famous totem poles are still carved today by the people of the First Nations. I am so pleased that you like the carvings so much, and I like the idea of a bear :) in your lovely garden!

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  29. Diane4 July 2011 at 10:01

    Steve I am still amazed after watching what they can do with a chain saw..... not an easy implement to carve shapes with! Diane

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  30. Diane4 July 2011 at 10:03

    Sorry Dolly but I have been watching these carvers ever since we moved to France so to me they are part of the countryside here :) Just goes to show what a small world we live in! Yea I also fancy the idea of that bear :-))) Diane

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  31. Maria4 July 2011 at 11:22

    Wow, that's amazing art work, very fascinating!

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  32. Ola4 July 2011 at 11:38

    wow, some of them are very elaborated!

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  33. Jacky4 July 2011 at 12:05

    Hi Diane, we will be shopping in Chasseneuil again within the next few weeks - can't wait to be back and looking forward to seeing the carvings (if they are still there!!). We saw these a few years ago on the banks of the Loire - the smell was intoxicating as they were being carved, amazing memories, thank you x

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  34. Crazy Tourists4 July 2011 at 12:10

    Wow! It is really amazing what some people can do with a piece of wood!

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  35. My Little Space4 July 2011 at 12:17

    Diane, you're so lucky to have witnessed the whole progress of the making. The artworks are absolutely stunning. Yes Lyndsey is also very lucky. The yearly sand scruptors show normally located at her nearby beaches. :o) Thank you for sharing the pictures. They're amazing.
    Have a great week ahead, dear.
    Kristy

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  36. Rosebud Collection4 July 2011 at 12:26

    Isn't it amazing what these people can do with a chain saw? Sometimes, they have contest with blocks of ice here..I am always in awe..I can't even make a radish rose with a knife..always lose a piece of the radish..haha..
    Have a happy week..xoRosebud/Carolyn

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  37. LindyLouMac4 July 2011 at 13:28

    These carvings are amazing, thanks for sharing with us Diane.

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  38. This is Belgium4 July 2011 at 14:43

    fabulous reportage
    http://whatisbelgium.blogspot.com

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  39. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:27

    Maria you are right, the art work is amazing. Diane

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  40. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:27

    Ola they are elaborate it is amazing what can be done with a chain saw!! Diane

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  41. RWS4 July 2011 at 17:28

    great collection of wood crafts

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  42. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:31

    Jacky I suspect that they will have been taken away now for preservation treatment, but there are many carvings around Chasseneuil if you know where to look. There are many around the road by the swimming pool and there are quite a lot in the gardens behind the museum area. Bedsides others dotted around. Diane

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  43. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:32

    Crazy Tourists, yes log of wood one weekend and fancy carving the next :-) Diane

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  44. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:33

    Thanks Kristy you have a good week as well. This is the second time I have watched properly but last time I was not blogging!! Diane

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  45. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:34

    Rosebud I am in awe of what these people produce with a chainsaw, amazing. Diane

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  46. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:35

    Thanks Linda, it is a pleasure to share. It is not often one gets to see things like this right before your eyes. Diane

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  47. Diane4 July 2011 at 17:52

    Thanks anni, have a great week. Diane

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  48. Diane4 July 2011 at 20:30

    RW, thanks so much for your visit and your comment. You have a great blog. Diane

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  49. Avalon Cat Cartoons4 July 2011 at 22:16

    Those wood carvings are amazing! Love your blog also and I'm looking forward to visiting often. By the way, I'm from Belgium so we're almost neighbours :-)
    ~Avalon

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  50. Happy Frog and I4 July 2011 at 22:45

    Wow, I've never seen anything like that before. It's like wooden ice sculpture. Absolutely beautiful. Thanks so much for posting the photos Diane, it was great to be able to see the transition as more work was put in. Hope you are well. x

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  51. Diane4 July 2011 at 23:03

    Avalon, thanks so much for the visit, yep almost neighbours :-) I have to agree the carvings are pretty amazing. See you soon. Take care Diane

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  52. Diane4 July 2011 at 23:05

    Hi Froggy, It was fantastic watching the carvers work and the transformation taking place. Yes all well here. Have a great birthday party with Dolly, wish I was there:-( Have a good week and take care. Diane xx

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  53. Diane5 July 2011 at 00:49

    Brilliant carvings! I think when you are back in the UK in Winter - then is the time for the sewing of the Dolly Dimple empire. xxxx

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  54. Kenny Mah5 July 2011 at 02:32

    What interesting wood carvings!

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  55. art is in the kitchen5 July 2011 at 06:10

    Amazing post Diane! What a show this is! It must be an exciting thing to watch artists carving with lots of creative imagination and get to see the finished work of art. This reminds me of the beautiful ice sculptures also done in Canada. Thanks for sharing this!

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  56. Aarthi5 July 2011 at 08:43

    Hai Dear

    This looks amazing....you have a lovely blog...Please check out my blog..It is for food lovers and person who love to cook..You could find so many recipes that you can easily try at home..I update this blog on a regular basis…So please follow me and motivate me..Thank you
    http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com

    Aarthi

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  57. Diane5 July 2011 at 10:22

    Diane I have sent you an email so think I have caught up with everything there :-) the other Diane xx

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  58. Diane5 July 2011 at 10:22

    Kenny Mah, you are right they are interesting and I think very clever. Diane

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  59. Diane5 July 2011 at 10:25

    michelangelo I am sure as an artist yourself that you really appreciate the work that must go into these wood carvings. I have only ever seen the ice carvings on TV but I can imagine what it must be like to watch them in real life. Diane

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  60. Diane5 July 2011 at 10:33

    Aarthi thanks for your visit, hope to see you back in the future. Take care Diane

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  61. lejardindelucie5 July 2011 at 12:53

    Quel beau reportage.Je remarque que beaucoup de ces sculpteurs s'inspire de la nature.J'aime beaucoup les "moustaches- poissons".
    Merci de ce très joli compte rendu.

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  62. Diane5 July 2011 at 13:55

    Lucie, J'aime aussi beaucoup les "moustaches- poissons" Haha. Diane

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  63. Anonymous5 July 2011 at 15:15

    Incredible - especially the eagle -i would have loved to have been there!
    Mary

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  64. Diane5 July 2011 at 17:55

    Mary (Mum's kitchen) They were all equally good in their own way, it was fascinating watching them appear from plain logs of wood. Diane

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  65. Nadji5 July 2011 at 19:06

    C'est très beau.
    J'aime beaucoup.
    A très bientôt.

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  66. Olga5 July 2011 at 19:06

    It must be incredibly fascinating to observe this process. Personally, I love to do so. Especially, I like wood carving and pottery.

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  67. Diane5 July 2011 at 19:46

    Merci Nadji. A bientôt. Diane

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  68. Diane5 July 2011 at 19:48

    Olga I was totally fascinated watching them work. I was amazed at the detail they could produce with the chain saw before moving to other tools. Diane

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  69. Marjie5 July 2011 at 22:33

    What a great display of talent! It was fun to see your pictures of the progress on the wood carvings.

    There was a tree cutter here who used to carve a mushroom from each stump he left with a chain saw. It was very a impressive display.

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  70. Peggy5 July 2011 at 23:53

    What talent those wood sculptors have! I love all of them =)

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  71. muppy6 July 2011 at 01:18

    How gorgeous, i would love to see this in action.

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  72. Joyti6 July 2011 at 01:24

    How lovely that they are back. Their work is amazing, based on the photographs you've snapped.

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  73. Christine's Pantry6 July 2011 at 03:39

    Another great post! :-) Love the pictures.

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  74. magda6 July 2011 at 10:06

    Very interesting work!!!!
    Became wonderfully with your beautiful photos!!!!
    Amities

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  75. Diane6 July 2011 at 10:18

    Marjie the talent is amazing with these people. Please send your tree cutter over her to take down our cedar, if I can't have a bear a mushroom would look good :-) Diane

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  76. Diane6 July 2011 at 10:20

    Peggy the end result was really excellent, the only one I was not mad about was the modern art, but it was beautifully finished and the skill was still brilliant. Just my taste! Diane

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  77. Diane6 July 2011 at 10:21

    Muppy it was worth the time to visit several times, not only to see the progress, but to watch them working. Diane

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  78. Diane6 July 2011 at 10:22

    Indie.Tea I think the pictures say it all, their work is amazing. Diane

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  79. Diane6 July 2011 at 10:23

    Christine's Pantry, thanks for the kind comment. Take care Diane.

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  80. Diane6 July 2011 at 10:24

    Magda thanks for visiting again and your very kind comments. Have a good day. Diane

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  81. Noushka6 July 2011 at 11:26

    Thanks for showing us these great carvings!
    What a lovely occupation, the results are stunning!
    Did you get one?!!!
    Diane, I have a question, if I may:
    Once you've added "Linkwithin" in your message window, do you have to choose yourself what articles are best in relation to the one you just published or does Linkwithin select them itself?
    I am still battling within this silly problem! LOL!
    No hurry, you answer when you have a moment!
    Cheers and have goo day!!
    XXXXX

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  82. Diane6 July 2011 at 15:09

    Noushka I would love one, but the answer would be to carve the trunk when we take down our dead cedar. Don't think I can afford it though!! Have sent you an email. Take care Diane xx

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  83. Mary Bergfeld6 July 2011 at 18:52

    Diane, I've amended the recipe to include instructions for making a crab boil mix. Sorry for the oversight. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  84. Diane6 July 2011 at 19:38

    Thanks Mary I will have a look now. Diane

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  85. bikim6 July 2011 at 23:21

    wow!
    that is amazing!
    happy night,
    Rosa

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  86. Vagabonde7 July 2011 at 04:46

    I have seen carvings like these in Alaska. It is nice that these carvers go to France so everyone can enjoy their art. I would like to own one of these carvings but after years in the same house it is so full that I would not know where to place it.

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  87. Diane7 July 2011 at 09:23

    bikim, you are right it is amazing :-) Have a good day. Diane

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  88. Diane7 July 2011 at 09:25

    Vagabonde, they are really stunning or I think so, We have the perfect place for one in the garden, but as I said previously if you have to ask the price you cannot afford it :-( Diane

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  89. Purabi Naha7 July 2011 at 12:13

    I am dumbstruck! This post is awesome and the wood carvings look so beautiful. Lovely blog and great pictures!! Do visit my blog if you love Indian food. Would love to visit here again!
    http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

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  90. Diane7 July 2011 at 12:48

    Purabi Naha thanks so much for your visit and your kind comments. I love your blog especially as we both love Indian food. Diane

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  91. cocoa and coconut 7 July 2011 at 12:53

    What amazing details! I have never seen such intricate carvings! In fact, I've never really heard of this sort of bulk carving. Merci Dianne.
    Ps. I've been in Hong Kong and my URL changed; perhaps that's why I'm listed as under construction? It is causing me a lot of trobule though!

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  92. Diane7 July 2011 at 13:00

    Brittany it is good to have you back. I will have to keep an eye open to follow your blog as the under construction thing does not go away!!
    The carvings are really very special and for me it was a privilege to watch. Diane

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  93. lena7 July 2011 at 14:28

    the carvings are really beautiful and i think it;s just fascinating if one is able to come back everyday and just watch the carvers do their work and see the changes in the sculptures. HOw long do these sculptures stay in town, are they going to be moved away to another city?

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  94. Diane7 July 2011 at 15:11

    Lena we have carvings all over the town from previous years. They send them off for the wood to be treated then they come back and end up being placed in different places around the town. There are many of the here now. Diane

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  95. Kay Masingan7 July 2011 at 16:52

    wow, what a creative works. They are very talented.

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  96. Diane7 July 2011 at 16:57

    Thanks Kay for your visit and your comment. Yes they are very creative. It was amazing to watch. Diane

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  97. Chubskulit Rose7 July 2011 at 20:42

    Those wood carvings are beautiful!

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  98. Diane7 July 2011 at 20:58

    chubskulit I can only agree, that they are. Diane

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  99. DeniseinVA7 July 2017 at 11:58

    Amazing how an artist creates these beautiful statues, from head to hands, a beautiful work of art.

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    Replies
    1. Rhodesia30 December 2022 at 21:49

      Thanks Denise that are amazing and incredible to watch these guys working with a chain saw!!! Diane

      Delete

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