PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — “I’ll make a tree,” Grade 8 Tamarac Education Centre student Marc Timmons said casually, when asked about a photo of him in action. Roughly five minutes later… a big chunk of wood was turned into a very cool looking tree.
The Port Hawkesbury teenage (14) wood carver, who goes by the name SawMarcs on Facebook where his creations sell faster than he can make them, developed an interest in chainsaws at a young age and purchased his first saw when he was nine.
“While vacationing in Campbell River, B.C., Marc was exposed to the art of chainsaw carving, at the Transformation on the Shore carving competition. At 10 years of age, Marc returned home from Campbell River and asked if he could try carving. He was encouraged to try a mushroom but he insisted that he wanted to make a bear. He completed his bear and entered it in a 4-H competition where he won first place. He hasn’t looked back since,” a short biography on Marc, prepared for a local event coming up in Dundee, reads.
Marc said “experience” has helped him to get better and faster with his carving work, and a look at the first bear, which won the 4-H contest, to one he recently completed demonstrates the progress, even though the first one is still pretty impressive.
“It takes a little while; by the time you get it carved out and do your feathering or furring, whatever you have to do, and then sand it and stain it, all of that,” Marc said, talking about the average time a project will take him.
“It really depends on what it is; a bear would be four or five hours, for a four-foot one, something like that.”
Marc said his subjects are often bears and trees because “that’s what people like,” but he has also done eagles, owls, fish and a certain leaf which would be perfect to display this coming Monday.
Asked where he would like to go with his carving, Marc said he does it on the side now and intends to keep doing so, since his sales are going great.
The best way to acquire one of Marc’s creations is to visit his Facebook page – SawMarcs Chainsaw Carvings.
As for who has helped him develop his skills, the bio notes Ryan Cook, from Britannia Beach, B.C., has “inspired and encouraged” Marc in his work.
“He was a mentor for Marc,” mom Daunette said.
The bio also noted “Joel Palmer and many other carvers from around the world,” as Marc and Daunette talked about return trips to Campbell River, as well.
“Marc had the honor of participating in Carve Cape Breton 2018, the New Brunswick Carving Competition, St. Andrew’s, New Brunswick, at home on the Port Hawkesbury Waterfront and for a live interview with CTV news.
“Marc works at home in his backyard and when he is not carving he enjoys spending time on his ATV, snowmobile and enjoying the outdoors,” the bio further states.
Show in Dundee
Marc said he is looking forward to the chance to learn more, “and make something big,” with an upcoming show very close to home, which will take place July 2 and 3.
The Chainsaw Carving Event at Dundee Resort will feature Marc and Palmer as well as Tracie Dugas, Matt Langille and Cape Breton’s own Liam Tromans; the former Bras d’Or resident who now calls B.C. home.
“A lot of the local people are really excited to see him come back,” Daunette said of Tromans. “It has been a long time since he has been home and he is a very well-known name on the island.”
She noted the event is a laid-back demonstration one, which encourages the public to take in the carvers working alongside one another, in a beautiful setting.
“The first time we tried it was last year and all the carvers wanted to come back,” Daunette said.
The event will be on the front lawn at the resort and scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the resort website at dundeeresort.com or call 902-345-2649.
Marc and the other carvers have also been invited to be part of the STIHL Timbersports Canadian Champions Trophy event which will be taking place in Sydney during the Canada Day weekend.
“They wanted some carvers on-site and it just so happened they’re all in Dundee around that event; so they asked them to go down there,” Daunette said. “It’s going to be pretty exciting.”
