Simon Bogg never imagined that a Sunday afternoon spent carving a mushroom for his mother would launch a 30-year career transforming raw timber into stunning wildlife sculptures. The 53-year-old artist from Louth, Lincolnshire, has built a thriving business creating lifelike wooden animals using an unconventional tool: a chainsaw.
What began as a favor has evolved into a full-time profession spanning 15 years. Bogg, a father of two who previously worked in the building trades, taught himself the craft entirely without formal instruction. His journey started when his mother requested a simple mushroom carving and borrowed him her chainsaw for the project.
"I had never done anything with a chainsaw before. I used hers and spent a Sunday afternoon doing it," Bogg told SWNS news agency. "A week later she rang and said I've got five orders for you."
That initial success proved to be the catalyst for his artistic career. After completing the five mushroom orders, Bogg carved a bear and then showcased his work at a country show, where every piece sold. The enthusiastic reception convinced him to pursue chainsaw sculpting seriously.
Today, Bogg produces an average of three carvings weekly, each varying in complexity and size. His portfolio includes horses, birds, rhinos, badgers, elephants, and his most popular creation: owls. The carved owls command prices starting at $150, with costs rising based on the intricacy of the design.
His most elaborate sculptures require up to three days of work, with Bogg dedicating eight-hour shifts to each piece. The artist works without detailed planning or mapping, instead freestyling his designs. For more complex sculptures, he uses a source photograph as a reference but allows his instincts to guide the carving process.
"I just get a lump of wood—and get on with it. Chop away what you don't need and then start shaping up," Bogg explained to SWNS news agency.
The scale of his work ranges dramatically. His largest creation stands 22 feet tall, while his premium pieces fetch between $6,800 and $9,500 each. Among his finest works are a giant carved stag, a rearing horse captured mid-motion, and a recently completed elephant valued at approximately $6,800.
Bogg sources his materials from two primary locations: imported Cedar Wood from the Pyrenees Mountains and timber from local gardens throughout the region. This combination allows him to work with diverse wood types while supporting sustainable practices.
The physical demands of chainsaw sculpting are considerable. Hoisting the heavy tool for multiple hours leads to sore backs, aching wrists, and persistent pain. Additional occupational hazards include the risk of hearing damage and lingering vibrations that affect the body long after work concludes.
"Everything we do with a chainsaw you shouldn't do with a chainsaw," Bogg acknowledged to SWNS news agency, recognizing the inherent dangers of his chosen medium.
Despite the challenges and occasional skepticism from others, Bogg remains passionate about his unconventional career path. When asked about which animals he prefers to sculpt, his answer reveals his artistic philosophy.
"I really like the big ones, that are in your face," he told SWNS news agency. "The things that people say are impossible."
His unique commission pieces now sell across the United Kingdom, with clients drawn to the combination of artistic skill and the raw, organic nature of chainsaw carving. Each sculpture bears the marks of its creation process, celebrating rather than concealing the tool that shaped it.
"People say, 'When am I getting a proper job'," Bogg said to SWNS news agency. "But I love it."
For Bogg, the satisfaction of transforming raw timber into creatures that capture the imagination of viewers makes every aching muscle and skeptical comment worthwhile. Three decades after that first mushroom, he continues to prove that unconventional tools can create extraordinary art.
