Experience Guide | Tourism Medicine Hat

THE LIFE OF A CHAINSAW ARTIST

Kiwanis Central Park Cole allows the material and her intuition to guide her creative process often without a clear vision of the finished sculpture. “I noticed so many people walking their dogs at the park. After I finished the bear, mushroom, and the house, I created an ‘Ode to Dog Walkers’ that is dedicated to everyone walking their dogs through the park.” 200 11 St. SE Dan MacCharles Park Cole created the dragon’s body out of a tree stump, then added the wings, which she carved separately. “I heard

Gas City Campground Cole’s sculptures at Gas City Camp ground were created with the intention of getting young children out and teaching them about the animals they may encounter during their stay. “Kids can spend a day running around the park looking for all of them,” says Cole, who in addition to being an accomplished sculptor is also a mom. 402 11 Ave. SW Kin Coulee Park Another of Cole’s earlier works, is the tall sculpture celebrating all things Canada and Canadian heritage. Anyone walking the Kin Coulee Park loop on a summer afternoon will notice the sculpture just past the Kinette Corner near the baseball diamond. 104 South Kin Coulee Rd. SE

On her way out of a Taekwondo class, Marina Cole noticed a wooden dragon sculpture that stole her attention for an hour. Fascinated and inspired by the art piece that was made in Japan and brought to Canada, Cole picked up her first chainsaw on April 9, 2016. She now has pieces across Medicine Hat and has participated in international competitions, where she’s carved for 10 to 12 hours a day in Alaska, Australia, Montana, British Columbia, Saskatche wan, Quebec, and Alberta. “I always wanted to be an artist. Growing up as a kid, I was trying to be an artist in ways that almost felt forced. When I picked up that chainsaw, nothing has ever felt so natural,” says Cole. “It’s such a euphoric feeling. Once I’m finished carving, it feels so unreal to think the sculpture came from me. I truly have to tell myself it’s been created by me when I step away and look at it.”

it was a dragon spruce that was coming down, so it just made sense to make a dragon.” Prospect Dr. SW

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