Carving new life from tree (From The Advertiser Series)
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Carving new life from tree
10:25am Friday 28th August 2009 in Consett & Stanley
Artist Tommy Cragg with children from Allensford Caravan Park
A QUIET nature reserve has been buzzing with activity as an awardwinning chainsaw sculptor carved a new bench from a fallen tree.
Tommy Craggs spent four days working at the Allensford Wood Local Nature Reserve, near Consett, creating the seat from a felled sycamore.
The tree was felled in the winter by Durham County Council staff to clear the area around the reserve’s pond.
Mr Craggs has been working with local children, to incorporate some of their ideas into the carving.
He said: “Having worked with chainsaws and tree felling, I have learnt a lot about trees and the different types of woods. Using my skills with the chainsaw and my interest in art I began carving.
“All my carvings are made from trees that have either died naturally or been felled for woodland management. I like to see what I do as a way of bringing the trees back to life and I work against the grains to reveal the real beauty of the wood.”
