In fact, a visit to the 29th annual Art in the Park at the Casements Rockefeller Gardens will prove it. There, the chainsaw artist, accompanied by bears, other wood figures and 100 live exhibitors, will sell wares from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. I don't cut down any trees to carve. A boon to the environment and to customers who then pay lower prices for their choices, the craftsman will carve any wood but prefers camphor and white pine. Adding some paint for details, he has filled requests for large cats, dogs, alligators, birds, bugs, bears and most recently, the late Dale Earnhardt's race car.
Human figures are popular, too.
Among them are cowboys, cowgirls, fishermen, pirates and a baseball player with bat. At the Ormond Beach show, visitors can see a large piece in progress. But Stringham's work hasn't always gone smoothly. Stranded in Georgia, the Umatilla resident was forced to earn money to return home. I made a comment about it, and the guy told me that if I could do any better with them then to do it.