Marina Cole demonstrates her talent during the Winter Festival in Elkwater on Saturday. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

Woodcarver

Local carver brings life to dead wood

Feb 2, 2020 | 6:02 PM

Elkwater, Alta – Woodcarving with a chainsaw wasn`t something Marina Cole was naturally drawn to – especially since chainsaws were something which the Irvine-based artist says she was a little scared of. But under the tutelage of a B.C. master carver, she was able to learn the trade.

Cole`s work in Medicine Hat has become increasingly noticable in the last few years – starting with stumps on private residences and moving to a number of carvings at city parks.

Cole credits Rolf Heer – affectionally known as the “Wizard of Radium“ due to his attire and mastery of the woodcarving craft – for helping her develop her own artistic endeavors.

“I picked up a chisel first because I was terrified of chainsaws. I wanted to move to one and progress to chainsaws but it was absolutely intimidating ,“ said Cole.

Cole said she ended up running into Heer who offered to help her develop her skills at woodcarving with a chainsaw.

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“So, I took him up on it and I went and saw him in BC and every since then it`s been crazy and non-stop carving,“ said Cole.

Now working at the trade full time, Cole said she`s working on a number of projects in the area, including a fourth carving in Central Park as well as one at Gas City Campground.

Cole added she hopes to one day open a gallery of her work in Irvine.