Two Harbors chainsaw artist carves creations across Midwest

TWO HARBORS - For 27 years, a Two Harbors man has made a living with his chainsaw, carving unique creatures and creations in the Northland and across the Midwest. 

It’s just another day at the office for this Two Harbors chainsaw artist.  John Gage braved the frigid Northland temperatures Monday for an afternoon of carving at the Holiday gas station.  "Yeah this is nice, 5 minute drive to work, maybe play around for 6, 7 hours and 5 minute drive home you know," said John Gage of Two Harbors.

For 27 years, Gage has been carving creations out of logs with his chainsaw, it's become second nature.  "It's like everything else, keep doing it and learn a little bit and I think the first carving I made I spent 4 hours making it where I can average a half hour to 45 minutes on these," said Gage. 

He makes 4 to 8 foot creations one log at a time.  "A lot of bears, owls, eagles, beavers, gnomes, Indians, Vikings, mountain men and little wizards," said Gage.  It’s become his full–time job and is something he just kind of fell into.  "Really I was just putzing around behind the house with a chainsaw and a log and I made an owl is the first thing I ever made, then I just kept doing it and doing it and one thing led to another," said Gage.

His precise, detailed work has caught the eye of curious onlookers and has him traveling across the Midwest to carve.  In fact, Gage finds most of his work out of state carving at grand openings for Menards and other community events and logging shows.  "It’s just satisfaction, people are interested, they'll come around and stand and watch me make things and I’ll tease the kids and draw them an eagle head so it's fun," said Gage.

He’s now got his 16-year-old grandson interested in the craft.  "It really interests me I guess, I like traveling with him and helping him," said Austin Hubbartt.  He’s getting his start with small wall plaques, learning chainsaw control.  "You can't push on it too much and you've got to be really gentle with it, it takes a lot of practice," said Hubbartt.  "He’s doing good with it," said Gage.  "He’s just going through the basics right now so he'll get there."  After all, he's just starting out like his grandfather did 27 years ago.  "I’ll just keep doing it as long as I can," said Gage.

John Gage has volunteered his time to carve the Two Harbors honking tree into a memorial.  He hopes to start carving in March, after a design is chosen.