SAWDUST AND SPECTATORS- GODS COUNTRY ART IS ON SCENE!

Things are getting loud here in Boise, Idaho!

The Gods Country Art team is currently onsite for a special project that’s turning quite a few heads. If you’ve been driving through the neighborhood and heard the roar of a chainsaw, you’ve likely caught a glimpse of Bruce hard at work. We took advantage of the fact that we were headed south to Arizona and decided to make this piece of wood come to life.

A Giant in the Making

Bruce is currently tackling an ambitious

project: a massive bear carved straight from a towering trunk. Watching a piece of this scale emerge from the wood is a transformative experience—starting with the heavy "blocking out" cuts and moving into the delicate fur detailing that brings the animal to life.

The Main Event: A 10-Foot Transformation

If you follow the sound of the saw, you’ll find Bruce standing on scaffolding, dwarfed by a massive pillar of wood. He’s currently deep into the "blocking" phase of a 10-foot tall bear. Bruce isn't just cutting away wood; he’s finding the character hidden inside the grain. Or as he often says, "he's just cutting away what he doesn't want."

The Grit Behind the Grain

Carving a piece this size isn't just about art; it’s a physical grind. Bruce is up on the scaffolding for hours at a time, swapping between heavy-duty saws for the bulk removals and smaller, specialized bars for the precision work. There’s no "undo" button when you’re taking a chainsaw to a massive log, so every cut has to be calculated. Between the weight of the saws, the constant vibration, and the Idaho rain, it’s a workout that demands total focus. The air stays thick with the smell of exhaust and fresh-cut wood, making it clear to anyone passing by that this is a serious construction site turned into a gallery.

The Boise Block Party

What started as a work site has quickly turned into a neighborhood hangout. It’s been incredible to watch the "Boise buzz" grow; we’ve had everything from morning commuters rolling down their windows to give a thumbs-up, to families stopping by with their kids to

take pictures. Bruce has become a bit of a local celebrity, often pausing the roar of the saw to chat with curious fans.

🪵 The Boise Bear FAQ: Everything You Wanted to Know

Since Bruce has been busy answering questions between cuts, we thought we’d round up the most popular ones for those watching from home!

Q: How do you start a 10-foot sculpture? A: It all starts with "blocking out." Bruce uses his largest saws to remove the big chunks of wood and find the basic shape—the "silhouette"—of the bear. If the proportions aren't right at the 10-foot mark, nothing else will look right later!

Q: Does Bruce use a sketch or a guide? A: Believe it or not, mostly no! After years of carving, Bruce "sees" the bear inside the log. He might make a few chalk marks for the eyes or the placement of the paws, but the rest is freehand artistry.

Q: How many different chainsaws are on site? A: Usually 4 to 6 different saws. We use heavy-duty saws for the initial shape, mid-sized saws for the limbs, and specialized "dime-tip" carving bars for the fine details like the fur texture and the nose.

Q: What kind of wood is it? A: This particular one is a very hard wood. It is elm. It is very durable and holds detail well, ensuring this bear will be welcoming people in Boise for many years to come.

Final Cut

The clock is ticking and soon the sawdust will be settled—Bruce is pushing to put the final touches on this Boise giant today. It’s a race against the sun to get the last details etched. It’s been an incredible run here in Boise; we’re leaving behind a one-of-a-kind piece of Gods Country Art and a lot of great memories with the people who stopped to watch it happen.