Carving out a niche for himself, the artist uses chainsaw to create his masterpieces on TREES

By SUZANNAH HILLS

Tree treat: Artist Andy O'Neill with one of his completed tree carvings in Bedgebury Forest, Kent

A master craftsman has carved out a unique niche for himself turning trees into works of art using a heavy duty chainsaw.
Andy O'Neill, 40, spends days at a time creating each of his remarkable tree treats by carving the sculptures from felled logs.
Once completed, each piece of his art can fetch anywhere between £300 to £5,000 a time.
Andy is currently working at the National Pinetum in Bedgebury Forest, Kent - where he is carving seven sculptures including an enormous adder, a roman shield and sword and some other intricate designs, all with his trusty chainsaw.

Wood sculpturer Andy O'Neill with his trusty chainsaw that he uses to carve out his works of art

Wood carver Andy hails from Bristol but is currently living in a caravan in Bedgebury Forest, said: 'I've been doing this for four years and it's really something I love.
'As a schoolboy I wanted to do woodwork for O Level, but they didn't have enough pupils to make up a class, so I did art instead.

'I became a graphic designer and then a tree surgeon after leaving school, but wanted to carve myself a different path and combined my art with my love of forestry.
'My tallest creation was a 25ft tall totem pole that I carved out of a condemned beech tree - that was a real labour of love.

Talent: Mr O'Neill's pieces fetch anywhere between £300 to £5,000 a time

'As an artist I am in my own bubble - I've created my own style as I go along.
'Using a chainsaw instead of a paint brush puts me apart from most other artists straight away.'
In the New Year, visitors to Bedgebury's National Pinetum will be able to see Andy's chainsaw masterpieces at the free to enter forest.
The Pinetum is a recreational and conservational arboretum and was established as the National Conifer Collection in 1925 and is now recognised as the most complete collection of conifers on one site anywhere in the world.

Chainsaw masterpieces: Wood carver Andy O'Neill hard at work carving out his latest creation in Bedgebury Forest, Kent

The collection has over 10,000 trees growing across 320 acres (1.3 km2), including rare, endangered and historically important specimens of pines, conifers and firs.
Bedgebury National Pinetum conducts conservation work and is home to some 56 vulnerable or critically endangered species along with Andy's astonishing art work.

source: dailymail