Paul and Mary Wilkins, of Colo, have two eagles permanently perched in their front yard. The fascinating eagles have been carved into what remained of a hard maple tree, which the Wilkins had to cut down.
"We left enough of the tree, knowing someday, we wanted something carved into it," said Paul. "We chose the eagles," he continued, "because I have two brothers currently serving in the military, and I have [served in the military] as well."
Paul and Mary chose artist Pat Doyle to carve the eagles. Pat and his wife, Sonne, own "Doyle Carving Niche," located near Floyd, which also happens to be close to Paul and Mary's hometown. Pat and Sonne run their business from their home and have an outdoor showroom with walking paths, a waterfall, stream and a pond with a bridge.
Pat began carving in the 1980s as a diversion from his career as a substance abuse counselor. He began carving by hand with knives and chisels, but the chainsaw has become the favored tool for his art. Pat began carving full time in 1999, and stays busy with demonstrations at fairs, town festivals, antique shows and even private parties. He will carve approximately 600 to 800 pieces a year.
"I've been most fortunate," said Pat, "to have discovered this God-given talent and to share this gift with others. My work as a substance abuse counselor has taught me a lot about pain and healing. My work as a carver has taught me about faith and courage. The lesson I've learned is that there are no mistakes in carving ... just new opportunities! And with each new opportunity, I develop a fresh perspective of the world around me. In both my counseling and my carving, if I can help someone see the world differently, perhaps they will also live in it differently."
Pat's talent draws crowds, who watch in curiosity and amazement for the outcome of what he is creating with his chainsaw. His artistic ability can make any tree into the critter or folk of your liking. Pat has done carvings to auction as fundraisers for community groups and wildlife organizations, such as Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation. In 2005, he was the featured chainsaw carver at the Iowa State Fair.
When asked how he begins a project, Pat replied, "There isn't any kind of a pattern. I just begin cutting and hope I don't carve anything away that I shouldn't have."
When Pat finishes his designs, he signs and dates each piece and attaches a nameplate.
"If the carvings are taken well care of, they can last 100 years or more," said Pat.
The eagles in Paul and Mary's yard took eight hours to carve and in the spring, they will give the sculpture several coats of varnish. With the varnish applied, the eagles will take on a brilliant golden color, making this lost tree something to treasure and admire for a lifetime.
(Some of the information included in this story was obtained from the Pat Doyle's Web site, doylecarvingniche.com.)
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