Carving creations
Chainsaw carver returns from top competition in country
Have chainsaw, will travel – artisan often seen around Pictou County nabs prize in B.C. competition
People in Pictou County may have seen Rob Milner carving creatures outside Dean Sharpe’s Service Station in New Glasgow on Tuesday, but just a few weeks ago, he was carving himself second place in a competition across the country. Milner, who is originally from Amherst and now calls all over the Maritimes home, returned from Campbell River, B.C., earlier this week, where he spent several days sending wood chips flying in the Transformations on the Shore chainsaw carving competition at the end of June, placing second in the professional division. He had been expecting to enter the semi-professional class, he said, noting that the judges suggested the other division. “I didn’t see myself there yet, but they did,” he said Tuesday evening as he was packing up some of his work outside the service station in New Glasgow. After getting past the shock and nerves, he spent four 12hour days and one eight-hour day, working with 11-foot logs to make a giant dragonfly and a quick carve of an owl. “It was pretty gruelling,” he said, adding that for next year, he’d like to work on his endurance. Calling it the top chainsaw carving competition in the country, he said he felt pretty good about how he placed in it. He hopes to improve, adding that he learned a lot. Leading up to it, he had been trying to sell enough to make the trip. Now, he’s hoping to sell enough of his projects to survive. Pictou County may see more of Milner, as he notes he often visits a particular a few times a year. “I never like to overdo my welcome.”