Simon O’Rourke

🎶If you go down to the pub today, you're sure of a big surprise🎶
Well, maybe not a big surprise, but if you head to The Bear in Tattenhall, you'll find some of my illustrations around the place as well as this sculpture in the grounds.
The food is delicious and you can't beat a beer in the sunshine!

Angel in a Wasteland.
Another fun commission, thoroughly enjoyed myself on this.

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #portrait #angel #gardeninspo

Although it's not a portrait, my current sculpture is loosely based on my client's wife on their wedding Day. Can you see it?

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #bride #portrait #humanform #gardeninspo #dreamgarden #treecycle

Tuesday.
My current commission. And what a lovely setting to be doing it in!

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #gardeninspo #bride #humanform

I made this #hare #sculpture back in February but just finished the time lapse. It's great timing though as this lovely property is available to book.
Anyone for a holiday in a cottage with a star-gazing hare?
www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cottage/oc-3...

#chainsawcarving #sladehouse #timelapse

Yesterday was #PaperbackBookDay which reminded me of this collab with Matthew Crabb, created as part of the jubilee celebrations.

This premise can be adapted for any book or author. What would you choose?

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #lotr #tolkien #fantasy #frodo #gollum

One of the great things about a pillar is you don't have to stick to one theme and can incorporate multiple things that are appealing, beautiful, or meaningful to you.

What do you think to this one from around 2021?

#chainsawcarving #stihlsaws #stihlgb #sculpture #greenman #owl #dreamgarden

Re-sharing this lioness sculpture from 2020 in honour of the fantastic performance of the #lionesses in the #euros . What a great night for British football! Were you watching?

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #lioness #lions #gardeninspo #dreamgarden #bigcats

Owls are the most popular animal I get asked to carve at the top of a wildlife sculpture (Like the one I made this week), but they're not the only animal people choose.
This client opted for a rooster. You can just imagine him crowing in the morning!
#sculpture #chainsawcarving #rooster

Here it is, the finished owl sculpture at Braganza Bed and Breakfast in St Mawes.

If you're in the area, spot it at w3w.co/gearing.blue...

And if you're looking for a B&B in Cornwall, Liz and I definitely recommend this one!

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #owl #publicart #visitcornwall #stmawes

Another beautiful morning to start my last day working on this commission in St Mawes, Cornwall.

#treecarving #chainsawcarving #sculpture #gardeninspo #wildlife #owl #stmawes

A sunny Wednesday update from my latest commission at Braganza Bed and Breakfast in St Mawes.

Listening back, I think I accidentally found a great name for a Chainsaw Carver's autobiography. Can you spot it?

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #sweatandsawdust #wildlife #owl #stmawes #stihlgb

As you can tell from the sawdust, I've been hard at work!
The sculpture is taking shape nicely with a couple of owls blocked out.
If you were having a wildlife pillar, what would you choose to sit at the top?
#chainsawcarving #sculpture #dreamgarden #workinprogress #stihlgb #owl #gardeninspo

Part one of my latest commission!
I'm out and about this week working on an on-site sculpture for Braganza B&B in St Mawes. A lovely commission in a stunning location.
Watch this space for updates as the week goes on.
#chainsawcarving #sculpture #stihlgb #stihlsaws #publicart #owl #gardeninspo

Paul and I were at Wyvernwood recently installing more sculptures Paul created for the attraction.
More to come, keep watching this space!

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #geode #wyvernwood #publicart

They’re in a private garden!

A little taster of the sculptures @edacheillustrates has been working on for @wyvernwood.uk
Watch out this week for more!

#greenman #wyvernwood #chainsawcarving #sculpture

When and How to Adapt Your Sculpture Design - Simon O'Rourke Drawing on years of experience as a chainsaw carver, Simon O'Rourke shares his tips on when and how to adapt your sculpture design

Wood is a natural material and isn't always predictable.
So what do you do when it surprises you with cracks, rot, or knots in inconvenient places?
Here are some of my tips on adapting your sculpture...

(5 min read)

treecarving.co.uk/when-and-how...

Shout out to @edacheillustrates for a great job done on this owl today, a commission for Jigsaw Curzon House Day Nursery

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #gardeninspo #birdsofprey #owl #jigsawnursery

Well this is different!
Somehow, I've signed myself up for a charity golf tournament! If you think that sounds like fun and fancy a round in aid of a good cause, contact Stef on 07821 649066.

It's #NationalNudeDay, so I thought I'd share some of my oldest (c2005) and most recent nudes.
There's always been a lot of conversation around nudity & art... What's acceptable? What's too explicit?
Where do you stand? Would you ever commission a nude?
Drop a comment and let me know.

Happy #NationalKittenDay
Because the internet needs more cats 😉

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #cats #catspam #throwbackthursday

Map of Sculptures in the UK - Simon O'Rourke A map of chainsaw-carved sculptures in the UK created by artist Simon O'Rourke that are visible to the public

We're approaching holiday season and the kind of weather that makes us want to plan day trips.
If you want to include seeing a sculpture of mine (or two) into your holidays this summer,
here's the link for the UK map:

treecarving.co.uk/sculptures-i...

#publicart #sculpture #chainsawcarving

A Beautiful Koi Sculpture for Chalfonts Captured - Simon O'Rourke Wood sculptor Simon O'Rourke shares the story behind the beautiful koi sculpture he created for Chalfonts Captured

Find out more about the sculpture and location in my blog treecarving.co.uk/beautiful-ko...

7th July is #NationalKoiDay - the perfect excuse to re-share this sculpture I made in 2024 for Chalfonts Captured - a stunning multi-purpose location available for photo and film shoots with spaces available for community groups to rent too.

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #dreamgarden #koi

Finished!
What a fantastic commission! I had a lot of fun with this one. Which is your favourite element?

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #fantasy #dreamgarden #gardeninspo #fairy #owl #bespokestairs #stihlgb #stihlsaws

Wednesday saw a few more elements added... Do you have a favourite addition?
Another day and a half to go!

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #fantasy #dreamgarden #gardeninspo #workinprogress #owl #fairy

I’ve joined Artisan Collective as one of the Founding Members. It's a new invite-only platform that showcases the UK’s most original, independent creators.

There's no middlemen, and no mark-ups - just work that’s made with care and chosen for a reason.

www.artisancollective.co.uk

If you've got a minute, join me for an update from today. These stairs are taking shape nicely - it's been a good day!

#chainsawcarving #sculpture #dreamgarden #gardeninspo #staircase #fantasy #workinprogress

It was tough going today in the heat, but we got some handrails on the staircase.
Thankful for the #Stihl BGA 100 leaf blower for keeping on top of the sawdust. The AR3000 backpack is a fantastic addition when it comes to using battery tech - and it makes me feel like a Ghostbuster!