WALLACE,
IDAHO—
Getting to
Vern Pine's studio in the mountains near Wallace, Idaho, was an
adventure in itself. They weren't on our map, but we wound our way through
the villages of Woodland Park, Gem, Frisco, Black Bear, Yellow Dog, Cornwall,
Mace and Burke before we recognized the landmark we were looking for,
a wooden bridge that connects the road to Shifters Hill. The tiny towns
nestled picturesquely up the canyon all have mining histories, and Shifters
Hill was where the elite of the mines' staff lived, the shift supervisors.
The shifters
are long gone, and in one of their former homes resides master sculptor
Vern Pine. Vern was a contract miner until a back injury forced him to
change careers, and he decided to pursue a lifelong interest in art. Natural
talent and a skill he never stops honing have made him unique in his medium.
Vern Pine sculpts wood with a chainsaw.
It's hard
to believe that an instrument with a reputation for hacking and massacres
can be a tool to create fine art, but Vern's bears and eagles bear witness
to his ability to wield a chainsaw with the delicacy of a paintbrush.
The process is a little louder, though, and Vern wears ear protection
when he works.
"I like
to freeze motion," says Vern, "And I try to make my sculptures
as realistic as possible. People sometimes ask me if all I do is bears
and eagles, and the answer is no. I do other subjects, too. But I like
bears and eagles the best,and so do my customers."
Vern
exhibits his work in shows and fairs in Idaho, and especially enjoys doing
live demonstrations. "I'll start working with nobody around,"
he says, "And a few minutes later, I'll look up, and fifty people
are standing there."
After seeing
Vern shape a cedar log into two bearcubs climbing a tree, we could easily
understand why he draws a crowd. His skill seems nothing less than miraculous.
As we made
our way back down the canyon to Wallace, we were wishing the Phoenix
One had room for one of Vern's bear cubs. It was hard to leave without
one, but for now we have to be content to save his address and know that
he'll ship his work anywhere in the world.
Vernon S.
Pine, Jr.
Wood Sculptures by Pine
P.O. Box 1041
Wallace, Idaho 83873
(208) 752-5561
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