David Furgason

326 South County Rd 519
Wakefield MI 49968
(906) 224-1107

My name is David Furgason. I have lived in the U.P. for five years. When I was a boy I would spend many hours thinking about living here. I was lucky enough to have friends in the area who made it seem like a paradise and I took the leap. I’m now forty four years old and my dreams of being a Yooper have materialized, in part thanks to Chainsaw carving.

I spent fifteen years at a less than satisfying job at a paper mill in Central Wisconsin. I was soon to turn forty and was feeling stuck, when a good friend, Toby Woodruff said he would teach me how to carve a bear. After much sweating, flying sawdust and hollering directions over the noise of the chainsaw - I had made something that resembled a bear. And someone bought it! I have been hooked ever since. I have been carving since 2000, and full time since 2002. I carve bears, but also make eagles, cardinals, turtles, owls and rustic furniture.

When you are doing art work in the Northwoods, you feel inspired by the wonder of this beautiful area. My friends and I agree that we live in a mystical place full of enchantment and wonder.

This short bio would not be complete without mentioning my beautiful wife. I met Eva at a health food store in Ironwood. I feel that when you take a leap and follow your heart’s desire, everything else falls into place.

This area is a true refuge from a world full of hostility and turmoil. The people of the area are every bit as beautiful as the forest. We are truly blessed.

[CLICK HERE] to watch David work.

Or on any image to see a larger version.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of wood do you use?
I prefer to use white pine, because it has integrity, rot resistance and does not have major problems with sapping. It also tends to crack less than other species. I have used red pine, spruce, cedar, black walnut and others.

Will it hold up outside?
Just like a wood deck on a house, the carving will last a long time with proper maintenance.

Will it crack?
This is my only guarantee - it will crack. Some more than others, some less. Depending on where the carving lives, the amount of heat and sunlight it is exposed to and the amount of care it is given after purchase, all these factors determine the amount of cracking.

What kind of finish do you use?
Semi transparent deck stain from Pittsburgh paints is used as the final coat. The color stain is Pittsburgh paints “redwood natural tone” waterproofing sealant. The color on the black bears comes from burning and brushing.

How long does it take to carve one of those?
The actual carving process can take as little as an hour to as much as 40 hours, but each carving takes many steps, from acquiring the log to peeling, drying, carving, sanding, drying, initial fixing of cracks, finishing, curing the finish, finishing some more, drying, third coat of finish and finally selling. All this adds up!

Care of Your Carving

Display:
Make sure the bottom of the carving can get air, and does not wick water. You can rest it on gravel or washed stone. It is best not to have the carving in direct sunlight as this could cause premature fading. For indoor carvings - keep them away from direct sources of heat - otherwise the wood will dry out a great deal and crack much more.

Cracking:
Cracks can be fixed or disguised depending on their severity or the style of the carving. Some people feel that carvings look enhanced with minor cracks. If you choose to fix the cracks a combination of glue and sawdust makes a fine filler. For larger cracks you can use silicone caulk in a matching color. Ace makes one that is flexible. For small and sometimes even large cracks you can disguise them with a quick spray of matching spray paint. Make sure to wipe the paint away immediately on the surrounding wood.

Maintenance:
Oil, oil, oil. Boiled linseed oil or preferably any semi transparent no color deck stain depending on conditions is recommended for outdoor pieces. For indoor carvings a cleaning with furniture polish is sufficient, and a swipe with oil makes them really stand out.