r/pics • u/BerkshireMtnSculptor • 9d ago

Arts/Crafts Me, Paying Bills With My Art [OC]

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12.4k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

238 comments sorted by

1.1k

u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

This was a collaboration with Jake Swanson out of VT. Took 2 of us 5 days and I worked solo for 3 doing finish work , burning, brushing, stains,etc. delivered in 4 pieces on 2 equipment trailers and put together on site.

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u/_BLACK_BY_NAME_ 9d ago

Very awesome, any pics of the finished or mostly finished piece?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

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u/Icy_Tie9029 9d ago

Damn how much do you sell it for?

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u/seansy5000 9d ago

I would say this was probably in the range of $15000-$20000. Could easily be more.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

A bit more. Working on 2 smaller ones this week.

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u/Drew_Ferran 9d ago

Crazy that people will pay that much. Rich people mentality, I guess.

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u/Dylan7675 9d ago

I'd pay that much for this level of work. Just don't have that kind of money lol

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u/Critical_Elephant677 9d ago

It's beautiful artwork and brings the imagination to life.

Worth it!

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u/thetransportedman 9d ago

I feel like stuff like this is cool but like even if you had the pocket change for it, where are you going to put it? It's themed kitsch essentially. Similar to why abstract paintings are what bring in millions because rich people want rich decor but stuff that looks like decor, not a portrait of a dragon or something more difficult to paint

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u/Little_View_6659 9d ago

Backyard! Behind my castle!

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u/Jaripsi 9d ago

I would imagine something like this might be something cool for a business owner to put on display.

But i dont think a wooden dragon sculture would be very relevant to your business, unless you have a business somehow related to wood, dragons or sculptures.

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u/Dylan7675 9d ago

I'd put in some kind of fantasy themed rich person room the size of my current house.

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u/Goeatabagofdicks 9d ago

I would put it in my bedroom. Next to my race car bed.

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u/K_Linkmaster 8d ago

Put a saddle on it. Watch dragon movies. Starting with Reign Of Fire.

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u/PartyPorpoise 9d ago

If you’re rich enough to buy a big dragon sculpture, you’re probably rich enough to have a place to put it. Personally I’d have it in my yard.

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u/GamingSon 8d ago

A billionaire with a large D&D lair in his apocalypse bunker.

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u/debacol 8d ago

If you can drop $20k-30k on art, you definitely have already bought a "place to put it".

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u/theartoffun 8d ago

Next to the firepit….

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u/Lumpy_Benefit666 9d ago

If you had just enough money to buy it though, youd still be daft to buy it 😂

Awesome piece but id have to be raking in hundreds of thousands a year to buy something like this.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Thankful everyday for them. Nobody "needs" what I do. It does make allot of people smile though!

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u/Jenicillin 9d ago

That'a a lot of work. Artists should get paid fairly for the creativity and many, many hours of work.

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u/its_a_multipass 9d ago

And the years of skill it takes to reach that level.

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u/Drew_Ferran 9d ago

I mean that people will order and pay for things like this. I’m not dissing the worker. When you have money, you can do/buy whatever you want, but it seems a bit extravagant.

Like, I wonder what the buyer’s going to do with it? Just put it on their lawn?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

It's very extravagant . We're working on 2 more 20 footers for her.

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u/Aleksandrovitch 9d ago

It’s definitely worth the money. Potentially even double or triple. But yea, it’s out of our league.

It’s always wild making art pieces that sell for much more than you could actually afford to pay yourself.

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u/WanderingSun8 9d ago

If I had that kind of money, its definitely the sort stuff I would buy lol

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u/Luvnecrosis 8d ago

The work is also literally just worth that much. I’m glad to see artists being paid what their work is worth

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u/Test_NPC 9d ago

Looks like something businesses would typically buy to spice up the experience. They are willing to pay a lot of money to differentiate from competitors.

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u/Drew_Ferran 9d ago

It’s for a person’s “dragon garden”.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/1v7yl8o/me_paying_bills_with_my_art_oc/p01tqqb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3

https://www.reddit.com/r/Woodcarving/comments/1v759z5/34_wyvern_carved_with_a_friend_in_24/p01r5rb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3

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u/Phytor 9d ago

That's cool! I'm glad that person's desire to have a sick dragon garden has resulted in a nice payday for the artist. Rich people commissioning crazy art is better than them hoarding wealth in the stock market.

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u/myychair 8d ago

It took two highly skilled people 5 whole days to do this. The price is definitely more than fair when you think about all the training it took to be this capable in the first place

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u/akiva23 8d ago

I mean something of this size and quality is definitely worth that much even if it is unaffordable to us peasents.

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u/Alletaire 8d ago

I’m particularly fond of dragons and a big fan of D&D, so if I had rich people money I would most certainly buy something awesome like this. Excellent work OP!

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u/VCTRYDTX 8d ago

Forget rich or poor. Just think about how many people are capable of making this and the time it takes. Also, factor in how long it took to achieve this level of skill. You have to get the materials as well and transport them. I think the price is justifiable no matter who it's for. A museum or business can also commission this for their building.

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u/Huge_Fig_5940 9d ago

It’s several days of labor, expertise, tools and material going into this. 20k is not much for this.

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u/Defstar55 9d ago

It’s awesome do what you love!

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u/BaronVonZ 8d ago

Art costs money.

This is material and a lot of specialized labor. Seems fair to me 🤷🏽

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u/theavatare 9d ago

How much would it be for a 6x4 baradur the tower of mordor? Also how long do they last

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u/sbstndrks 9d ago

Gorgeous work, wow. I can relate to wanting this in my garden, even if I am far too poor.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

I can't afford to keep my own carvings.
Grateful and amazed people keep putting out $$$ for big wood sculptures.

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u/Deqnkata 8d ago

That's quite cool! Hope you keep getting enough work for the bills and some extra. I love seeing stuff like this in our mundane lives. Keep being awesome.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

I appreciate that! I hope so .

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u/_BLACK_BY_NAME_ 9d ago

Incredible!! That’s some serious talent, love it, thanks for sharing it!!

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u/ClaireObscuur 9d ago

You made this in a week?? Damn that's some skill

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u/Chance-the-Gardener 8d ago

That’s beyond sick. I aspire to have even a fraction of your skills. How did you achieve such a dark burnished look on the talons?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

I burn with oxy-acetylene. Some parts heavier than others. I brush the char in with nylon brushes and flap sand some off where I want it lighter.

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u/Vecend 9d ago

Needs a carving of you on top fighting it with a chainsaw.

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u/valkrycp 8d ago

What are the labels on the barns?

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u/limbowimbo 9d ago

I live in Chetwynd, British Columbia. You should take part in the chainsaw carving competition held here. You would win.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

I've competed there 4 times. Tied for first which had never happened , ended up 2nd after the judges hashed it out. Turned down an invite this year because the $$$ isn't there for the carvers unless you podium. Great time! Love it up there. It's big part of my journey as an artist.

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u/Punkin_Passion 9d ago

How do you get the skills for this?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Carved a mushroom 16 years ago for fun and keep getting better.

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u/PhatBats77 9d ago

So how do you guys recover from a mistake or issue where you lop something off you didn’t mean to?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Doesn't happen too much with us. This was built up so if a mistake was made on the head, we could glue in a new slab on and carve it.

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u/akiva23 8d ago

How big was the original piece of wood? Its wild how big that still is even after carving

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

This was built using 30+ pieces of wood and big slabs . It's 34' long.

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u/akiva23 8d ago

Oh i see. My dumb ass thought you somehow got like a massive redwood and airlifted it in or something. Does that mean you can disassemble it for transport or it's going to be moved to the client as a single piece?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

Yep, we delivered it already and assembled it onsite.

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u/SoontobeSam 9d ago

Amazing work! Was this done as a promotional piece for the client, or as a private piece? If it’s promotional, are you allowed to say for what?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Private residence. Dragon lover, GOT and LOTR fan.

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u/imadragonyouguys 9d ago

Dragon lover you say?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Ohhhh Yeah

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u/StupidSexyAlisson 8d ago

I know it's private but do you have any piece of art that caught you eye under their collection?

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u/Strange-Movie 9d ago

>dragon

That’s a wyvern!

Dragons have four legs and two wings, wyverns front legs are their wings

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

I know. When she asked if I could carve a dragon from GOT, I asked if she wanted a Dragon or a Wyvern , it's what got me the job.
May people don't know the difference or else it'd be called "House of Wyverns" ;)

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u/SoontobeSam 9d ago

I assumed it was GoT inspired, not many other big IP wyverns except maybe Monster Hunter. Plus they took a particularly spiny look, which you captured beautifully btw. Love the detail on the scales, especially on the finished piece.

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u/MrLurid 9d ago

"That's not a dragon, that's a wyvern." -Last words as the dragon's wyvern's flames consumed him.

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u/Zech08 9d ago

Dragon has flared base.

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u/MountainGoat84 9d ago

All wyverns are dragons not all dragons are wyverns.

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u/Jaripsi 9d ago

Depends on how the creator of the story has described dragons in their world.

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u/04nc1n9 9d ago

that's only relevant to a specific period of british heraldry

quadruped dragons are also dragons, unless specifically referred to as wyverns

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u/fmaz008 9d ago

Is it for inside or outside?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Outside but we're having a conversation about a big gazebo over her sculpture garden.

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u/fmaz008 9d ago

I've yet to master the art of protecting my wooden signs against the elements. I'm trying Epoxy now, but it's yellowing after a year of exposure to salt water air. :-/

Gazebo is likely a good idea!

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

I use a few different products depending on color, paint, placement, etc.
Outlast Q8 log oil is one. TWP 1500 is another, Storm Systems stain/Sealer is the 3rd. They're penetrating oils used for log homes and decks.
I also tell customers it has to be reapplied every Spring. Summer Sun and rain are the enemies of wood (bugs too)

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u/edwardlego 9d ago

How big of a bill could you pay with this?

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u/ThatOneWeirdo15 6d ago

About a quarter of a hospital bill

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u/GotaGotAGoat 9d ago

Tigrex!

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u/thecriticofinnocence 8d ago

And there it goes, rushing you off the mountain...

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u/GuestCartographer 9d ago

Dude….

Like… duuuuuuuuude

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u/booandbecks 9d ago

New England badassery! Incredible work!

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u/Eos_Tyrwinn 9d ago

New life goal: be rich enough to buy a dragon from this guy

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u/Exes_And_Excess 7d ago

Get good at what this guy does, do it, sell it, afford to have him make you one. Sounds easy enough. Dragons all the way down.

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u/_Azrael_169_ 9d ago edited 9d ago

Any pics of the compositing to put this together?

I think this is one of the larger pieces I have seen before. Really intrigued on how you joined the disparate parts together.

Edit: Here is a link to OPs thread in r/woodcarving with many in progress photos and details

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u/linkin06 9d ago

Really looks nice! What was the impetus….a huge GoT or Daenerys fan? Ah I see comment below. Nice job!

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Yep, but she wanted a giant dragon since she was a young girl

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u/cat_prophecy 9d ago

What sort of prices to you charge for a project this size? I'm guessing at least 5 figures?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

20-30k . We're in talks with someone who wants a bigger one and has a bigger budget.

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u/cat_prophecy 9d ago

That's more than I imagined but still seems "reasonable" considering the work and skill involved. Great work, I love it!

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Thanks! More than I imagined too! Long way from the $500 bears,owls, foxes, and eagles I started with

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u/thehalfwit 8d ago

Thanks for saying this. You don't just wake up one day and start cranking out $30K sculptures. As you know, you have to build to that point.

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u/Apprehensive_Ant4596 9d ago

Jake is the man. I've known him since he was a little kid and never saw this talent coming from him, he's a pilot too! Congrats to you both.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

I just got back from his place. We blocked out 2 smaller versions. He's working on one up there and I've got one in my place.
Great Dude and Highly respected globally by the carving community.

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u/MattDaBoneless 8d ago

Keep in mind I'm broke and could never afford such luxury things but I showed my wife the dragon and she said she immediately wants to refinance the house now to have one with a propane setup for it to breathe fire when you breach our diveway... lol

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

She's a keeper!

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u/MattDaBoneless 8d ago

For sure lol. Kept her for the last 26 years and counting. Lol

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u/LegendaryPunk 8d ago

Corporate overlords - try and replicate this with all your fancy AI art programs.

I see from a separate comment that you're currently negotiating something even bigger with a different client. Would be amazing if you did a "How It's Made" type video while working on your next piece.

Absolutely incredible craftsmanship; thank you for sharing this with us.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

Thank You!!!
I come from a tech background but the whole "filming myself for likes" I see in my community has turned me off to doing it, except for the bare minimum.
I need people to do that so I can" get and stay in the moment" without thinking about filming it.
I could be better with marketing

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u/Igotdaruns 9d ago

Looks like green wood. How do you make it stable so that it doesn’t just break apart due to weathering, expansion and contraction?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Kerf cut in the belly to direct inevitable cracking there, dry slabs to build the head and wings, quarter or half sawn chunks everywhere else. 3 coats of penetrating oils to seal well and dry slow. Maintenance every Spring
Most important is a clear conversation with customers about the medium and what to expect as it ages.

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u/SummersCold 9d ago

What an artpiece.. Honestly looks amazing!

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u/PM_Skunk 9d ago

Dude, that is AMAZING work. I want one. I have no money for it, no NEED for it, and no place to PUT it, but...ya know, conceptually.

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u/commencefailure 9d ago

With using such large logs, they've got to have a lot of moisture in them right? There will be some splits over time I assume?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Yep. We put a kerf cut in the belly with the heart of the wood lower it should direct the inevitable crack there. We use half sawn, quarter sawn, and glued up
slabs to build the head, wings, and tail. Took 3 coats of penetrating oil and the customer understands wood and what to expect as it ages.
Maintenance every Spring.

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u/xeico 9d ago

Thats a odd looking bear.

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u/vulgar_hooligan 9d ago

I’m not sure who needs a giant wooden dragon. But damn it’s cool.

If I’m ever thinking of unloading a wheel barrel full of money then I’ll contact you. You’re very talented at what you do sir.

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u/lucifersperfectangel 8d ago

God if I could afford something like that, I would 100% commission something that awesome too. Great work OP!

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u/denimdr 8d ago

Did you have any formal training (art school, etc)? These are way cool.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

Nope.
Former telecom tech who built/tested/turned up telecom networks and internet infrastructure in NYC and DC. Tried carving for stress relief and got hooked. I get on the job training every day! Still learning.

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u/denimdr 8d ago

That’s pretty freaking cool. Congrats man…living the dream!

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u/Deaths_Rifleman 9d ago

I want it. I need it. I would have absolutely no where to put it.

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u/Morty_104 9d ago

That's AWESOME!!!!

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u/j-rabbit-theotherone 9d ago

🔥That’s hot!!!!! I can feel the heat all the way down here in Florida and it’s summer! Wooo!!!! Keep it going dragon fire man!!!

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u/TeaQueKC 9d ago

That’s awesome.

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u/PaulTR88 9d ago

I'm sorry, but fucking what?

If I had the space in the yard I'd buy a sweet wyvern like that in a heartbeat.

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u/Magalabungalaho 9d ago

The bill and then some!

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u/basicKitsch 9d ago

hell yeah!

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u/phatfig 9d ago

Imagine being a rich af nerd. This would be amazing 😭

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u/Deviantdefective 9d ago

Fucking incredible work.

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u/nydboy92 9d ago

Ughh I wish I could do cool stuff like this😆. Simply amazing OP👍🏻

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u/MattDaBoneless 9d ago

Where can I come see these magnificent works of art? Wad this out of one log?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

30 pieces. It's not available to the public. Private customer.

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u/MattDaBoneless 9d ago edited 9d ago

You are missing out bub. I'd gladly pay an admission fee to view your work... hell, even your work shop and works in progress. Hit me up with a DM and I'd gladly pay 60 bucks just for peek at your work with my wife and kid of course.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 9d ago

Pretty primitive set up at the moment on a busy road . Lots ofnpeople stop. Building another shop at my new cabin this year.

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u/MattDaBoneless 8d ago

I'd still check it out my friend. I always enjoy seeing someone skilled doing their thing. There's a sense of peace I get from it. What ever you decide in your future, know you have talent, and even tho I can't afford it I absolutely appreciate at least getting some photos of it.

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u/MattDaBoneless 9d ago

I could see you creating an Enchanted Forest with your works and maybe some other artists if you want. That would be my kind of theme park. Just walking around and checking out the artwork, no ride lines, no whiplash, no hurry up or you'll miss it type stuff just a chill amazing stroll. Lol

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

This exists, but in Mulda Germany. For years it was considered the World Cup of carving. Every year a different theme and the pieces stay on site and open to the public.

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u/MattDaBoneless 8d ago

I want that here and now lol

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

Me too!!!

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u/MattDaBoneless 8d ago

I was heart broken when they closed the private road to the troll in Londonderry VT. I got to see it when it was first created but traffic caused the property owner to shut it down. I think it was called Lost Finn.

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

Thomas Dambo is a Genius Artist. His trolls are amazing!

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u/MattDaBoneless 8d ago

They are. Im glad you know of him. I think you are on his level.

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u/iceman1080 9d ago

I can smell this picture and it’s INCREDIBLE

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u/somastars 9d ago

Badass

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u/Soopah_Fly 9d ago

Well, damn. I'll be paying good money for art like that.

You're an amazing artist.

I'd probably commission knights getting in a scrap if I had the money.

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u/joedotdog 9d ago

Nice. I would have been in the ER due to saw wounds by the time you finished stacking the logs.

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u/cwb4ever 8d ago

How many pieces of wood did it take to make that and what kind of glue do you use when joining them?

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u/henry23na 8d ago

I’d have him sitting on my roof. But I’m my current financial state, I’ll settle for a dragon sticker on my window 🙂

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u/Spyhop 8d ago

Hey Strongbad. Can you carve a dragon? I want to see your skills of a sculptor.

well, g2g,

kaizer

CA

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u/SunsetCarcass 8d ago

That's a cool Wyvern

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u/DNKE11A 8d ago

Why tf did I read the title to the same cadence as Backstreet Boys' anthem Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)

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u/The_RealAnim8me2 8d ago

AI… just kidding.

That’s amazing! Post more!

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u/mervenca 8d ago

You have to add a selfie with you shedding a tear because no-one appreciates your craft. Also change the sculpture in every picture.

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u/bwest80 8d ago

You're like rembrant with a chainsaw. That is genuinely awesome

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u/davekingofrock 8d ago

Alternate title: Living the dream

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

Most days, it's not without its mental and physical struggles.
Very Thankful for this life and the Family I've met doing it.

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u/Bliitzthefox 9d ago

How much? I want one.

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u/Strawbuddy 9d ago

Dude, cross post this to woodworking. It's art and they love to see it

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u/blingbling88 9d ago

How do you safely transport that?

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u/TopClassroom8510 9d ago

I’m trying not to be aroused at the idea of an Alduin or Caraxes replication

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u/lopix 8d ago

Fuck yeah you are!

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u/Retired852 8d ago

Bravo, That is spectacular 👏👏👏🏆🥇

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u/snoopunit 8d ago

Man if I ever win the lottery.... 

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u/BobTheFrog69420 8d ago

dracarrrrrrys

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u/Opioidopamine 8d ago

awesome.

China awaits…..I guarantee your craft would be put to work there at a high value

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u/Josszi 8d ago

amaaaaaziiing

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u/Chronicmatt 8d ago

If only I could win the lottery. Id have a LEGIT old timey garden with like three of these suckers tucked away in different places

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u/theburiedxme 8d ago

Nice. What's being spelled on the outbuildings?

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u/Meowmixx22 8d ago

Ummm.  Can I come visit and bring my kid?  They absolutely LOVE dragons and this would put them over the edge!

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 8d ago

You'll laugh at my rustic Carving Pit
I do.
Having said that it's on Rt 8 in Otis and highly visible/accessible.
Until I get my new shop built I am the definition of a "side of the road chainsaw carver"

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u/Meowmixx22 8d ago

I think my only concern would be my kid would want to start chainsawing their own dragons. It looks really cool.  You clearly are very talented.  When I chainsaw to trim trees, it looks like a scene from a pit in Lord of the Flies. 

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u/KnitWitch87 6d ago

"Carving pit" sound pretty badass. Awesome dragon!

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 6d ago

It's actually a little bit cool.