ALPINE BUSINESSMAN’S CHAIN SAW CARVES OUT NEW CAREER

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Photos by Miriam Raftery and Marilyn Lukinich

 

August 8, 2009 (Alpine)--A little boredom turned into a roaring artistic success for ex-logger James Lukinich of Alpine.

Using a chain saw, the owner of the White Wolf Tree Service now coaxes charming designs out of wood. Fanciful birds, appealing bears, clever alligators and other creations quickly take shape. Making the first cut is the hardest part for Lukinich, who said in an interview that he’s not sure why that’s difficult.

“I just sort of look at (the wood),” said the accomplished wood sculptor. “Pretty soon I see something in there, a little animal or something. Yesterday I did a gorilla holding a parrot.”

Lukinich and his wife, Marilyn, sold their farm in Palisade, Colo., and relocated back to San Diego County and Alpine for family reasons in February. The couple, who have three children, is quickly becoming known in East San Diego County for community involvement.

Lukinich said he thinks of his work and his art as another way to do more with nature’s bounty.
White Wolf Tree Service specializes in difficult tree removals, lacing and reducing the crowns of trees.

Through skillful talent, Lukinich has learned how to extend the shortened lives of fatally diseased, burned or beetle-killed trees.

“I just recycle the wood, try to carve something out of a dead tree,” he said.
In addition to his creative work, Lukinich also does custom carvings on site, such as totems, mantels and furniture.

Hobby expands

Born and raised in the upper Northwest, he began wood carving for the first time when he was in his late teens. Lukinich later became a logger, topping giant trees in Oregon, Washington and for eight years in Alaska.

“That’s where I started (chain saw) carving,” he said about Alaska. “I was just bored. The first thing I carved was a dynamite sign. We had a dynamite shack.”

What began as a hobby, carving gifts for family and friends, has since become a professional skill that helps communities and a part-time career for Lukinich. He has become known during the past five years in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona through the craft show circuit.

Lukinich is now entering contests. In June he placed in the top third of 33 professional competitors in the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championship in Reedsport, Ore.

“You’re doing great big pieces,” the carver said about contests. “It’s really time-consuming. People come up and tap you on the shoulder while you’re working.”

The toughest thing he’s ever carved, Lukinich said, was his “Enchanted Forest” entry ---- 19 animals on one log ---- in a five-day contest in Colorado.

Accepted as a working artist and member of the Spanish Village Artists Guild in San Diego’s Balboa Park, Lukinich will be one of the featured sculptors demonstrating at “Art Splash 2009” on Sept. 26-27 in Carlsbad.

His sculptures now cost $300 to $4,000. Marilyn does the pricing.

Carves for community

However, Lukinich has been generous with his talent for demonstrations at this year’s first Alpine Tree Town USA Celebration on April 25, as well as at area fund raisers and other events.  At the Alpine Tree Town USA event his chainsaw demonstration and art display showed another way to recycle severely damaged trees.

Lukinich donated a 6-foot-tall silver-tipped gorilla to Lions, Tigers & Bears for their fund raising auction May 9 at “Wild in the Country.” The sculpture took him almost seven hours to carve and brought in about $1,200.

A carved bear setting a butterfly free that Lukinich donated to the Kiwanis Club of Alpine for their “Vintage Alpine” May 3 silent auction raised money to help children in San Diego County.

The artist said he will probably continue creating chainsaw wood art “’til I can’t pick up a saw any more.  Then I get to stay home, whittle,” Lukinich concluded.

 


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