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Eagle takes wing in park
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| Keokuk’s Al Moander uses two different chain saws to carve large pieces like the one he is working on in Rand Park. He said he enjoys the speed at which the chainsaw artwork develops. But he said that also has a drawback: “You’re always just one cut away from a very attractive piece of firewood.” |
BY MARK SMIDT/GATE CITY PUBLISHER
It's not unusual to see eagles flying near Rand Park at certain times of the year. But soon, one of the magnificent birds will make a permanent home there.
From the stump of a hard maple overlooking the Mississippi River, Keokuk native Al Moander is bringing to life a soaring eagle.
Moander is an avid carver and a member of the Tri-State Woodcarver's Club. He began carving about 9 years ago, and about 5 years ago, he started carving larger pieces with chainsaws, such as this one.
Last fall, while eating lunch in the park and enjoying the million dollar view of the Mississippi, Moander noticed that one tree was marked with a big, bright blue “X.”
“I said to myself, ‘OK, I know what that means, and I could put an eagle in that tree.”
Moander called Mayor David Gudgel and told him that if they would leave a stump about 15 feet tall, he would donate an eagle sculpture to the city.
Gudgel said he reviewed photos of some of Moander's other work, and he was “really impressed.”
And now that the park sculpture is taking shape, Gudgel added, “I really like what he's doing out there.”
Moander spent the winter pondering how to approach the piece and began carving in earnest on Saturday.
He worked on it Saturday and Sunday, took Monday off, and returned on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. He believes he still has about 6 hours of work remaining on the eagle, which includes adding a stain and a weather protectant.
One snag has been a patch of rotten wood that he has encountered. He said he will have to saw off the talons. He will then secure two new solid pieces of wood with glue and dowels. The wood will come from scraps that he has already removed from the trunk.
The piece has evolved as he's progressed.
“As I work on it, things just sort of develop,” he said. “You start seeing other things with potential.”
After completing the eagle, he may also add details to the pedestal. He may weave a carving of the lock and dam into the base, but he said getting the perspective correct may be difficult.
He said he'll continue to study the piece and see where it takes him.
He uses two Echo chainsaws. One features a 16-inch bar for the rough work, and the detail work is done with a smaller model with a dime blade, so-called because the tip is the same circumference as a dime.
When he has access to electricity -- which he doesn't at Rand Park -- he may also use a grinder or a sabre saw for the finer work.
Moander uses a host of safety gear, including goggles, ear muffs and leggings fashioned from Kevlar, the material used in bulletproof vests.
Moander, who is sales and marketing manager for Keokuk's Tri-City Energy, said he has always had an artistic bent, and he also enjoys painting and drawing. He credits his parents -- Herb and Louise Moander, now deceased -- with encouraging his interest.
He particularly likes the chainsaw art because of the swift progress. But he admits there is a downside: “You're always just one cut away from a very attractive piece of firewood.”
He said he has been surprised by the number of people who have stopped by and talked to him about the piece.
At one time, he estimates there were 20 spectators.
Viewers have come from California, New York, Colorado, Alabama and Florida, plus the tri-states. “I had no idea there was that variety of visitors to Keokuk,” he said.
A number of people have told him that the carving is a great idea. But Moander said it's a labor of love.
“I'm delighted to be able to contribute it,” he said.
From the stump of a hard maple overlooking the Mississippi River, Keokuk native Al Moander is bringing to life a soaring eagle.
Moander is an avid carver and a member of the Tri-State Woodcarver's Club. He began carving about 9 years ago, and about 5 years ago, he started carving larger pieces with chainsaws, such as this one.
Last fall, while eating lunch in the park and enjoying the million dollar view of the Mississippi, Moander noticed that one tree was marked with a big, bright blue “X.”
“I said to myself, ‘OK, I know what that means, and I could put an eagle in that tree.”
Moander called Mayor David Gudgel and told him that if they would leave a stump about 15 feet tall, he would donate an eagle sculpture to the city.
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And now that the park sculpture is taking shape, Gudgel added, “I really like what he's doing out there.”
Moander spent the winter pondering how to approach the piece and began carving in earnest on Saturday.
He worked on it Saturday and Sunday, took Monday off, and returned on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. He believes he still has about 6 hours of work remaining on the eagle, which includes adding a stain and a weather protectant.
One snag has been a patch of rotten wood that he has encountered. He said he will have to saw off the talons. He will then secure two new solid pieces of wood with glue and dowels. The wood will come from scraps that he has already removed from the trunk.
The piece has evolved as he's progressed.
“As I work on it, things just sort of develop,” he said. “You start seeing other things with potential.”
After completing the eagle, he may also add details to the pedestal. He may weave a carving of the lock and dam into the base, but he said getting the perspective correct may be difficult.
He said he'll continue to study the piece and see where it takes him.
He uses two Echo chainsaws. One features a 16-inch bar for the rough work, and the detail work is done with a smaller model with a dime blade, so-called because the tip is the same circumference as a dime.
When he has access to electricity -- which he doesn't at Rand Park -- he may also use a grinder or a sabre saw for the finer work.
Moander uses a host of safety gear, including goggles, ear muffs and leggings fashioned from Kevlar, the material used in bulletproof vests.
Moander, who is sales and marketing manager for Keokuk's Tri-City Energy, said he has always had an artistic bent, and he also enjoys painting and drawing. He credits his parents -- Herb and Louise Moander, now deceased -- with encouraging his interest.
He particularly likes the chainsaw art because of the swift progress. But he admits there is a downside: “You're always just one cut away from a very attractive piece of firewood.”
He said he has been surprised by the number of people who have stopped by and talked to him about the piece.
At one time, he estimates there were 20 spectators.
Viewers have come from California, New York, Colorado, Alabama and Florida, plus the tri-states. “I had no idea there was that variety of visitors to Keokuk,” he said.
A number of people have told him that the carving is a great idea. But Moander said it's a labor of love.
“I'm delighted to be able to contribute it,” he said.
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| $350,000 grant bolsters PE in Keokuk schools |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of dailygate.com.
Joseph Williams wrote on Jun 27, 2008 5:01 PM:
" It sounds fantastic; knowing the history of Keokuk and its youth I really must wonder how long it will be before the vandals get to it? "
Admirer wrote on Jun 27, 2008 4:33 PM:
" AJ:
I have gone by and seen the work in progress. And it is a work in progress. There is only a rough outline of the eagle currently. The story says he has six hours of work to go. Also, if you get the newspaper, there was another picture in the paper. "
I have gone by and seen the work in progress. And it is a work in progress. There is only a rough outline of the eagle currently. The story says he has six hours of work to go. Also, if you get the newspaper, there was another picture in the paper. "
a.j. wrote on Jun 27, 2008 2:12 PM:
" Great story but not one single picture of his work...which is the whole point of the story. What did the eagle look like? How did it turn out after all the time spent carving it? That could be anybody there with chainsaw...my uncle George can stand there and hold a chainsaw but you wouldn't see any of his work either because he doesn't have any. Finally something interesting about Keokuk and you don't show it. Good story, not well presented. "
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Sarah Reuter Davis wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:42 PM: