2018 was the year of the bear: all bears, all the time, rain or shine (well, mostly -- it was a ridiculously drenching year). Mark's Rusty, Dually, and Poppyseed bears multiplied like crazy and went to their new families all over the country.

We can't believe it's already fall! It seems like February was just yesterday. Mark has been busy with bears of all size and poses along with some very exciting, big projects which we'll talk about in the upcoming posts. For now, here's a round-up of all the sculptures he's been working on this year. Flying Bald Eagle Black Cedar Bear, Ted Custom Rusty Bear for New Grandparents Custom Bear Head Bookend New Cedar Rusty Bears One More Rooster Cartoon-style Beaver

This 5' tall waving black bear holding a catfish was a custom commission from a client in Forest, Virginia. They wanted a friendly bear to place in their circular driveway. Behind their home there is a catfish pond.    

Mark's Poppyseed, Dually and Rusty chainsaw carved wood bears are coming out of hibernation for Christmas! With orders arriving from all over the country, here is the first clan ready to take the polar express to their new owners. We always knew there was something special about these bears' sweet expression. They're like Teddy Bears!

This 4' brown bear (named Barley) watches over the entertainment patio and fire pit at his new home in North Carolina. Wood sculptures as yard art can enhance your outdoor entertainment space in a unique and personal way.  

A client in California wanted a 6-1/2-foot brown bear for his home. It's one thing to have a great big bear standing outside but imaging having one inside! Very cool.

This bear was made for a client who had seen one like it in New York and asked Mark to carve him one similar. Mark made a few modifications and improvements. It was fun watching this animated, cartoon-style brown bear come to life. He was carved out of Virginia Pine and is sporting a cute pair of green trousers and a belt. It is definitely a different type of bear but just think of all the possibilities to change up the character and have a whole cast of bears. He has big button eyes, a big soft...

Mark carved this 7-foot waving brown bear for Adobe and Stars Inn Bed & Breakfast in Taos, New Mexico. The inn owner wanted a large, happy, welcoming bear to place in front of her B&B and be visible from the road. This bear has definitely attracted attention as people routinely stop their cars to get out and pose with him for photos. Here is the bear at our place, before shipping him to New Mexico. And here are a few pictures of the bear in progress. He...

Mark took one of his cedar logs and chainsaw carved these adorable bear cubs. He ended up leaving them in a more rustic state because they looked so unique and adorable. These little fellows are affectionately called Gummy Bears. Mark left the cedar wood in its natural state so they smell wonderful in addition to being so cute. Next Mark carved another group of bear cubs from a cedar log, but they are more finished while still having a rustic feel; not to mention how friendly they...

In November, Mark and I headed up the road to Vintage Virginia Apples and Albemarle Ciderworks for their day-long festival. The event was nestled in one of the older apple orchards on the east side of the mountain near the tasting room. It was  a beautiful, crisp, bright and cool late fall day. We enjoyed looking at the work of all the other artisans and craftsmen. There was a great variety of clothing, jewelry, home and garden decor, herbs, oils, vinegar, jams, teas, soap and scents. The food...