About Mark
Birthday: April 20
Hometown: Lakeport, CA
ECHO Carving Championship Appearances:
- 2009: 4th Place
- 2008: 8th Place
- 2007: 2nd Place
- 2006: 5th Place
- 2005: 3rd Place
Professional Carver Since: 1998 (Carving since 1981)
Most Challenging Carving: a 10’ wine bottle
Favorite Wood to Carve: Redwood
Non-carving Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, family
Oddest Job Ever: Carving a Hobbit character at a Hobbit park in California
Favorite Saw: ECHO CS-530
How long have you been a professional carver?
29 years. I’ve never been paid to do anything other than carve.
How did you get into the business?
I learned from my father, Don Colp who has been a professional carver since 1969. I just grew up with it and started working with him right out of high school. I guess I learned by traveling with him and watching him carve western art – he liked to carve cowboys, horses, and Indians. I actually started carving when I was 14. I made a little boat.
What do you like most about your chosen profession?
The travel, making people smile, and the money is not all bad either. I’ve been to Alaska to carve and that was pretty cool. I liked carving in Milwaukee also. It’s so great to see people’s reactions to the carving. They often identify with them and can picture them in their homes or yards. They appreciate the art because it’s something they don’t think they could do.
About how many hours do you carve weekly?
20-40 hours per week. I have a shop so I’m carving pieces to have in inventory for sale and I do commissions. This carving gives me plenty of practice for competitions.
What do you view the biggest challenge when competing?
Focusing on my project and finishing it. It’s tempting to get caught up in the competition and watch what everyone else is doing. You have to focus on your own piece. I like the competitions. I think working under a time limit actually makes me carve better and be more exacting. You always have things in the back of your mind that you could keep adding to the sculpture, but I know how much I can do in a certain amount of time.
What was the worst thing that happened to you during a competition?
Rain. This happened when I was carving at the Westport competition. They had to shut it down for a delay and the pressure on your gets worse. The competition becomes slower and is more frustrating.
What do you consider your best work?
Three dolphins that I did in Westport, WA. 2005 1st place winner. I was carving to a nautical theme and I had the dolphins jumping out of the water and down below a tiki was coming out of the sand. I really liked that piece … and I beat Bob King!
What was your most challenging commission job?
A 10 foot wine bottle. The logistics were tough because of the size – it was so tall and big, and it had to be so uniform. It was so dimensional. I carved it for a local winery and they use it as a back drop for events and weddings.
Where do you get your inspiration for carving?
Nature. I’m inspired by animals, trees, wildlife. I’m not much into carving man-made things. I consider myself more of a wildlife artist.
What's your favorite wood to carve?
Redwood. It’s soft and has beautiful colors … plus it’s really big. Big wood is better to carve; you’re not limited.
What's your favorite subject to carve?
Sea life. I love to carve dolphins and sea turtles. I live near the ocean but I’ve never had a chance to swim with them but would have liked to.
What's your favorite ECHO chain saw?
CS-530. It has great power and torque. When you’re carving you stop and start all the time, this saw can stop and start while you’re in a cut.
What do you like about ECHO chain saws?
Everything! They’re light and their longevity is key. You get used to a certain saw and the longer it lasts the better it is because you are used to the way it feels and handles.
What has it been like to be a member of the ECHO Carving Team?
It’s very rewarding. I’ve come by many opportunities being sponsored by ECHO. You feel like you’re a part of something and going places, and you feel like you’re really accomplishing something. Plus, I get to work with great people. I like my team mates – we’re always joking around even though we’re serious when we are competing. We can count on each other when we need something, and the ECHO folks are always great to work with, as well as the folks working the venues we carve at.
What is your most memorable carving event/experience as a team member?
Every ECHO Cup (Championship). It’s the grand finale of the year and it’s always at the end of the year. Previous to last year’s Cup we had to qualify to get in, and that made it very exciting. I liked the Harley event also. The massive crowds were amazing and everyone was so interested in what we were doing.
What advice would you give to a novice carver?
Get around people who are carving; watch what they do – that’s how I learned. Then carve, carve, carve. Your arms won’t fall off if you carve.
What saw would you recommend to someone just starting out in chain saw carving?
CS-400 - It’s a size saw a beginner can do a lot with – it’s just the right size – not too big, not too small.
What changes have you seen in recent years involving the carving industry?
Greater opportunity for those who want to work hard; rewards come easier. By that I mean you can start to make a living right away now by carving. It didn’t used to be that way. It took a long time to get established and make a decent living.