This life-size smiling bear is one of the largest wooden bears Michael Earle carves with chainsaws. Photo: Todd Moe

Mar 23, 2016 — Not all logs end up in the fireplace or paper mill. A Hopkinton artist turns white pine stumps and blocks into wildlife sculptures, like bears and eagles. His tools of the trade are mostly just chainsaws. Michael Earle, who grew up in Parishville, opened a chainsaw art shop last year in Alexandria Bay and is building another next to his rustic log home on Route 11B, east of Potsdam.

Earle's passion is chainsaw art, but he can fashion almost anything from wood - rustic furniture, birdhouses, tables, and garden sheds. He particularly likes the challenge of sculpting bears with smiles and facial expressions.

Todd Moe caught up with him one afternoon during a break from building a wooden tiki bar. His outdoor sales space is right along the highway, where whizzing cars and trucks compete with conversation. How does he cope with the noise? Earle said a good set of earbuds and hard rock music help him concentrate on carving.

Todd MoeConversation with chainsaw artist Michael Earle

Michael Earle has been carving bears for about 16 years, and said he can complete the smaller ones in minutes. Photo: Todd Moe

A slew of Earle's wooden bear sculptures, of various sizes, smiles and waves at passers-by along Route 11B, just east of Potsdam, NY. Photo: Todd Moe