An artist is carving out a living by making amazingly-realistic wooden sculptures—after teaching himself how to use a chainsaw.
The 53-year-old started carving with chainsaws 30 years ago and now makes thousands, selling his unique commission pieces across the UK.
Simon Bogg usuallly spends up to three days working eight hour shifts to craft his most intricate pieces—including horses, birds, rhinos, badgers, and elephants.
The father-of-two freestyles each piece without any planning or mapping beyond simply using a source photo as a model for the more complex sculptures.
His most popular creations are the carved owls, which can fetch anywhere upwards of $150, depending on the level of detail.
Simon’s biggest carving measures 22-ft tall (6.7m), and some of his pieces fetch between $6,800-$9,500 (£5,000-£7,000) each.
He admits it’s a risky job, “Everything we do with a chainsaw you shouldn’t do with a chainsaw.”
The fully self-taught artist from Louth, Lincolnshire, originally was in the building trades. Then his mother asked if he could make a mushroom.
“I had never done anything with a chainsaw before. I used hers and spent a Sunday afternoon doing it.”
“A week later she rang and said I’ve got five orders for you.
“I did the five mushrooms, then I did a bear, and then I worked a country show and sold everything I made. They loved it.
“Now I’ve been doing it nearly 30 years—15 years full-time.
Simon tends to make three carvings per week, on average, with varying complexity.
Each one is either made from imported Cedar Wood from the Pyrenees Mountains or timber from local gardens.
“I just get a lump of wood—and get on with it. Chop away what you don’t need and then start shaping up.”
Some of Simon’s best works include a giant carved stag, an amazing rearing horse, and an elephant—his most recent—which he says could be worth around $6,800 (£5,000).
Hoisting a chainsaw for multiple hours can lead to sore backs, aching wrists, and pains.”
Not to mention the risk of deafness and lingering vibrations.
“People say, ‘When am I getting a proper job’.”
“But I love it.”
SWNS news agency asked him which animals were his favorite to sculpt.
“I really like the big ones, that are in your face…
“The things that people say are impossible.”
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