An artist-in-residence has blown into Wellesley and is hard at work on Overbrook Drive as he turns a tree removal project into a creative sculpture that is stopping traffic in that area. Wielding mostly a chainsaw, sometimes a blowtorch, woodcarver Michael Legassey’s job is to carve custom pieces for clients. The talented artist makes anything from hummingbirds to 10-foot bears and says on his Facebook page, “We can pretty much do anything you could think up!”
On Overbrook Drive, what his clients have thought up is a 10-point stag atop an 8-foot tall tree stump. The deer stands proud and strong, gazing off into the distance at the home across the street. The stump was once itself part of a mighty being in its own right, one that has been felled and shall rise no more. Yet in a way the sculptor’s medium lives on, shapeshifting into something that can no longer provide shade, but can still provide a presence. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein comes to mind.
Wood Wizard Carvings out of Athol, Massachusetts was started 26 years ago by Legassey’s father. If you’ve got a wood carving challenge, he’s up for it You can reach Legassey at legasseym@gmail.com
Thanks to sharp-eyed reader PM for the heads-up on this story.
View this post on Instagram
There could have been more tree art in town
Maybe you know of other such woodworking in town, and if so, let us know: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com But here’s something you might be surprised to learn. Back in 2014 there was talk of creating art — “a whimsical seat in each trunk,” according to the Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes — from 2 10-foot Silver Maple stumps on either side of the Brook Path. But that never materialized, with one neighbor reporting “there is no groundswell of support for the tree stump art.”
Swellesley is a form of art, sort of: Here’s how to Advertise and/or Donate to support our independent journalism venture.
Thank you Ms. Brown for acknowledging Michael and his unbelievable eye and imagination to design this sculpture for my husband and myself. Your article has presented our reason for NOT clear cutting this tree when it could no longer survive as it was without possible harm to ours or neighbors property.. Much appreciated The Walkers