GS Chainsaw Sculpture carves tree stumps into animals on Forres bypass
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A PROFESSIONAL wood carver from Drummuir has turned prominent tree stumps in Forres into works of art.
Garry Shand of GS Chainsaw Sculpture was hired by Bam Nuttall to make the most of the stumps alongside the A96 bypass that remained after Network Rail contracted the civil engineers to cut down a row of Lime, Sycamore and Ash trees on 'The Walkies', across the road from Mosset Park's main stand.
Garry said: "The designs are based on local wildlife as the walk is on the fringe of town in the countryside. I use chainsaws predominantly but the finer finish is achieved using grinders, rotary tools, sanders and gouges. I also used wood preserver and oil finishes."
Each stump takes two days to carve. Garry has been paid to carve more, to add to the snail, owl and hare he has already completed.
He said: "Bam Nuttall commissioned five stumps to be carved. I hope public support in Forres extends to fundraising to have the remaining stumps done too.
"I have received a lot of verbal encouragement and support indicating interest in having more sculptures there as they would be of benefit to the community. This is a rare opportunity."
Garry started exploring carving with chainsaws in 2007. With an artistic background and experience with the power tool, his hobby developed and in 2010 he went full time.
As his repertoire and skills developed he started to attract bigger and better commissions, doing more shows, competitions and events.
Garry now carves a wide array of stock carvings as well as unique commissions from his home and workshop near Keith.
Bam Nuttall construction project manager, Stuart Mackay, oversaw the company's work on the new Forres station and double track that reopened in 2017.
He said: "During Bam Nuttall's work in Forres we had to remove some mature trees near Mosset Park as they were overhanging the new railway.
"I saw Garry in a chainsaw competition in Carrbridge and realised that we could transform some of the stumps into community art for walkers or rail passenger using the Aberdeen to Inverness line.
"BAM Nuttall put forward £5000 funding from their Enhancing Lives campaign and we were able to agree on agree this work with the support of Moray Council."
