Carving is my life’s work
To Mark Colp, who does all his carving and finishing work in his studio in Lakeport, Calif., chain saw carving is his life’s work. “It’s all I do. I’ve never filled out a job application in my life. I started carving in 1981, after graduating from high school.” Colp refers to his studio as “the Bat Cave” and says it serves as his workshop and his hideout.
While Colp was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, he considers Lakeport – located about 120 miles north of San Francisco – to be his home. As a Canadian, he has a fondness for the sport of hockey. “When I was a kid, my favorite hockey team was the Edmonton Oilers, but now I’m a San Jose Sharks fan.” As a result of living in two countries, the easy-going and personable Colp says he loves to travel.
Colp got the itch to become a chain saw carver by watching his father and brothers do it, and training with them. “When I’m carving, I enjoy seeing people happy with the finished piece. I love doing something that makes people happy.”
Carving is a way of life for the Colp family. Mark’s father, Don Colp, is a true pioneer in the field of chain saw carving. The Don Colp West Coast Championship is a testimony to that fact. “I won the West Coast Championship a couple of years in a row,” says Colp. “The plaque bears my dad’s name, and I gave it to him as a Father’s Day gift.” Father and son actually compete against each other in events from time to time.
Colp has been using ECHO chain saws for 16 years. “My favorite ECHO chain saw is the 50.1 cc CS-520,” he says. “It has lots of power and is great for rough cuts.” Colp believes the light weight and durability of ECHO chain saws is what sets them apart from the competition. “ECHO saws are the lightest on the market,” he says.
For Colp, the best thing about being part of the ECHO Carving Team is the national recognition. “I look forward to being seen all over the United States in association with the ECHO brand. It’s very exciting.” When it comes to competitive carving, Colp says he likes the challenge and the camaraderie. “You have to please a lot of people, which isn’t easy.” He adds, “I love being around other carvers and sharing the competitive spirit. Putting my talent on the line where everyone can see it.”
Colp has competed against every other member of the ECHO Carving Team, but he considers fellow teammate Bob King to be his biggest competitor. “Bob and I have a strong rivalry, but we have lots of mutual respect for one another,” Colp adds.
Unlike some carvers who say the uncut wood “speaks” to them, Colp says the wood has never spoken to him. “If anything, I speak to the wood and tell it what it will be, whether it’s a bear, an eagle a fish or something else.” Colp says he can make pretty much anything out of wood most of the time. “Some pieces of wood just aren’t conducive to carving.”
Colp’s most challenging carving project to date is a totem pole he carved last year out of a standing tree that was 26 feet tall. “I had to use scaffolding to get it done,” he says. “I treated it as I carved it. The entire project took three days to complete.
The piece he’s most proud of, however, is one that earned him first place in a competition. “I carved a boy fishing on a dock out of a block of spruce that was six feet tall. The boy was on his knees, holding a fishing line, with a bass under the dock. I called it ‘Light Tackle Fishing’.”
Tips and advice
For up-and-coming carving enthusiasts, Colp offers the following advice: “Carve, carve and carve some more. Don’t settle with what you’ve done; always push yourself to accomplish more.”
When it comes to offering carving tips, Colp says, “Practice. Study other people’s work and techniques as any art student would do. Go to chain saw carving events and watch the action.” When it comes to safety, Colp says “Always wear your safety gear, including a face shield and chaps. Keep your work area clear. Use your saw and other equipment wisely.”
After a piece has been carved, Colp offers these tips for treating and curing the wood: “Use an oil finish for outdoor pieces to seal the wood. Use polyurethane for indoor pieces.”
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