Natural disaster turns into an artful attraction at Amboy, Illinois, Green River City Park
On June 22, 2015, a string of EF-2 tornadoes touched down in Sublette, Illinois, slamming ferociously into sections of Woodhaven Lakes, a private family campground I've known intimately for all my life.
My family spent weekends and entire summers at Woodhaven. As a child, I learned how to swim and fish in its lakes. My first fishing pole was made out of bamboo, and whenever I caught a fish, one of my big brothers would take it off the hook, as I could never touch the creatures without the "Ewww, ewww!" squirmy dance.
As a creative and curious child, I woke up early to ride my bike to arts 'n crafts classes at Holcomb Hall next to Pool I. For a dime or twenty-five cents, I made painted noodle necklaces or sand candles with melted wax poured into a hole I dug into the ground. On Friday and Saturday nights, we got our fill of vintage Disney movies sitting in folding lawn chairs on the lakefront. And when I was nine, I met my dearest friend Ruth who later stood as the maid of honor in my wedding.
During the winter months and over Christmas break, we'd rough camping without running water in our winterized camper. Heated comfort stations were always open for bio breaks and showers. And the magnificent moon-lit walks through snowy, tree-lined roads under the blackened starry-skies with my family gave me unforgettable memories I cherish decades later.
I've always liked the rumbly thunderstorms at Woodhaven, but these storms in 2015 were different. They mowed down life and limb without prejudice (no human casualties) leaving behind a twisted mess of metal and glass. Some property owners lost everything; others nothing; and lots of in-between. Grotesquely-sheared trees with ripped-off limbs and torn-away tops leaned battered in the aftermath like soldiers reeling on a battlefield.
Shock and sadness hung in the air for days as emergency triages were formed and attended to. It made national news. Then the clean-up started, which continues today with months of restoration ahead. The emotional toll cannot be tallied, but it hit the community hard and is a sober reminder to cherish what's important because it can be snatched away in a moment.
Woodhaven is just five minutes from Amboy, Illinois, a stone's throw away from where residents experienced a similar heart-wrenching storm in 1999. In this scenario, the violence ripped through town cutting down dozens of the area's treasured 100-year-old oak trees. These stately trees, many located in the Green River City Park were deeply rooted in the town's history going back to the mid-1800s where most large, celebratory events took place -- Old Settler's Picnic, Derby Days, and Lee County Fair.
Mourning the loss of these sacred trees cast a dark shadow over Amboy residents, but what they did next in response to the devestation makes my heart soar.
Pat Brady, contributor to Amboy Illinois: First 150 Years 1854–2004, a coffee-table book filled with the town's local history, news articles, and personal stories from long-time residents writes:
On June 1, 1999, disaster struck the park when it was hit by a violent thunderstorm which left parts of the city and the Green River City Park virtually destroyed. Between 50 and 60 trees were destroyed and another 50-60 were severely damaged.
— Amboy Illinois: First 150 Years 1854–2004
The city was devastated by the loss of so many of its venerable oak trees. It took weeks to clean up the damage, but some of the trees were saved by the insight of a local man, George Kaleel. Kaleel suggested hiring Marie and Bob Boyer, former residents of Amboy, who were known for their chainsaw work. The Boyers came in with their chainsaws and made beautiful works of art out of many of the damaged trees. […] The park now contains dozens of beautifully carved works of art and has become quite a tourist attraction.
Sadly, Marie Boyer died of cancer in 2010, but her creative contributions will continue to inspire. The News Tribune writes:
“[Marie] was best known for the chainsaw carvings she created in Amboy City Park. She and her husband also contributed a wood carving to the Home Improvement television show and contributed to Country Magazine. She also worked with Pat Spielman, the author of many woodworking books.”
— News Tribune
This inspiring example of creating from chaos, of allowing the light of possibility to shine through the darkness of defeat, led me to document the Amboy tree tragedy-turned-treasures in 2011 and create the exhibit above to help preserve the legacy of these wooden wonders before time takes their toll. Since I started this project, already a few carvings in the slideshow and on the map no longer exist. Documenting them before they disappeared will keep them in memory and not forgotten to time.
Download the Free Amboy Park Art Map
Free Self-Guided Tour Map
Download location map showing each sculpture in the Amboy City Park. Print or view on mobile devices supporting PDF.
Exhibit order:
- Train
- Farmer holding pig
- Dennis Hastert
- Bear with Fish
- Fireman with Baby
- Baseball Player
- Baseball Umpire
- National Guard
- Illinois State Police
- Amboy Arch
- Football Player
- Ear of Corn
- Grandma Baking
- Grandpa with Tools
- Cross
- Indian
- Soldier
- Welcome Bear
- Owl on Tree
- Eagles
- Lion
- School Girl
- School Boy
- Ulysses S. Grant
- Rearing Horse
- President Barack Obama
- David Shapiro
- Pioneer Woman
- Nurse
- President Abraham Lincoln
- President Ronald Reagan
From Tree Trunk to Carving: A Chainsaw Carver Q&A
How does a tree trunk become a carving?
It usually starts with a good look at the wood. The carver checks the shape of the trunk, the grain, knots, cracks, and any obvious weak spots. From there, the idea starts to take shape. Sometimes the trunk seems to suggest what it wants to become. Other times, the carver arrives with a pretty clear plan and figures out how to make it work with the piece of wood in front of them.
Why use a chainsaw?
A chainsaw makes it possible to remove a lot of wood quickly. That matters when you're starting with a solid tree trunk. A carving that might take days with hand tools can begin to emerge in a matter of hours. The chainsaw is not just for rough work, either. With experience, a carver can use different sizes and parts of the bar to make surprisingly precise cuts.
Is it really as loud and messy as it looks?
Pretty much. Chainsaw carving is noisy, and there are wood chips everywhere. The ground around a carving can quickly look like it has been covered in mulch. It is also a physical job. The carver is standing, bending, moving around the trunk and running a vibrating machine for long stretches of time.
Where does the carving actually begin?
Most carvers start by blocking out the basic shape. They cut away the big sections that don't belong, leaving a rough version of the figure or design. At this stage, it may be hard for anyone watching to see what the finished piece is supposed to be. That is part of the fun. Little by little, the shape becomes recognizable.
How do you get details with a chainsaw?
It comes down to control and knowing the tool. A larger saw can remove big chunks of wood, while a smaller saw gives the carver more control. The tip of the bar can be used for smaller cuts and details. Some carvers also switch to other power or hand tools as they get closer to the finished surface.
Does the wood decide what the carving will be?
Sometimes it does. A knot might become an eye. A bend in the trunk might work perfectly for a wing, a nose, or the curve of an animal's back. Cracks and imperfections can also become part of the design rather than something to hide. Experienced carvers learn to work with those quirks instead of fighting them.
What happens when the carving doesn't go according to plan?
There isn't much room for an eraser. Once the wood is cut away, it's gone. If a cut goes too deep, the carver may have to change the design or find another way forward. That is one reason chainsaw carving takes a good eye as well as a steady hand. The carver is constantly making decisions about what can be removed and what needs to stay.
How long does a carving take?
It depends on the size, the subject and the level of detail. A simple carving might come together fairly quickly, while a highly detailed piece can take many hours or several days. Some carvers work on a piece in stages, roughing it out first and returning later for the fine details and finishing.
What happens after the chainsaw work is finished?
The surface may be refined with smaller tools, sanded, burned, painted or left natural, depending on the artist's approach. A protective finish may also be applied, especially for a carving that will live outdoors. Even then, the work is not necessarily finished forever. Outdoor wood changes with weather, sunlight and time, and that becomes part of the life of the sculpture.
Does the carving have to look like a tree anymore?
Not at all. That's one of the things that makes these pieces so interesting. Some carvings leave much of the original trunk visible. Others transform the wood so completely that you might forget you're looking at a tree. The bark, shape, grain and scars of the original trunk can still give the finished work its character, even when the subject is something completely different.
What should you look for when viewing a chainsaw carving?
Take a close look at the cuts. You can often see the marks left by the saw and the way the carver worked around the grain. Notice how the original shape of the trunk has been used. Look for knots, cracks and other natural features that became part of the design. And step back, too. A carving can look abstract up close and suddenly make perfect sense from a few feet away.Is that part of the appeal?
Absolutely. Chainsaw carving sits somewhere between sculpture and the natural history of the tree itself. Every piece starts with something that already has a shape, a history and a set of imperfections. The carver doesn't get to start with a blank block. They have to figure out what is possible, then make it happen one cut at a time.
As you look through the exhibit, try to imagine each piece before the first cut was made. Beneath every finished figure is a tree trunk, a chainsaw, a plan that probably changed along the way, and a whole lot of wood chips on the ground.
What is done to protect carvings that stay outdoors?
Outdoor carvings have to put up with rain, snow, sun, humidity and big swings in temperature, so some protection is usually needed. Once the carving is finished and the wood has had a chance to dry, the artist may apply a wood preservative, sealer or exterior finish designed for outdoor use. These products can help slow down moisture absorption and protect against sunlight and decay. Some artists prefer a natural finish, while others use stain or paint to give the wood another layer of protection.
The details matter, too. Keeping the carving off constantly wet ground, allowing air to circulate around it and making sure water doesn't collect in cracks or flat areas can all help extend its life. Even with careful protection, outdoor wood will eventually weather. Cracks, changes in color and a softer, more weathered surface are part of the process. For many artists and collectors, that aging is not necessarily a flaw. It becomes another chapter in the life of the carving. •
Chris plays on the stage of life as an imaginary being, humorist, designer, and the driving force behind the award-winning Creativity-Portal.com Web site. …
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