A lot can change in 12 years. Just ask woodcarver Alex Macleod's sister.
One of the first carvings Macleod made was a salmon sculpture for his sister for Christmas 12 years ago, but after creating another sculpture for her for Christmas 2011, his progression and development as an artist was apparent.
"My sister always comments on how different they look," he said. "She jokes that it doesn't even look like the same person made them."
It's that progression as an artist that has seen Macleod ply his trade in Ontario, set up shop at his Sea to Sky Studio in Britannia Beach in October 2009 and is now moving him back to Ontario to carve out a market in Ontario's Muskoka Lakes cottage country with Hirsh Log Homes.
"It's pretty exciting," he said. "I always admired their log homes and my pieces always looked the best when they were in those kind of homes. Hirsh's logs even come from Pemberton, so it's a very local connection."
From a young age, Macleod was fascinated by art, and the influence of his mother's family owning a sawmill made the move to woodcarving a natural fit.
"As kids the sawmill was like our playground," he said. "And I was always artistic as a kid so when you combine the artistic side with the lumber side, I guess that's where it came from."
After growing up in Nova Scotia, Macleod moved to Ontario to find a bigger market for his carvings and was successful in that pursuit.
"I always split my time between Nova Scotia and Ontario and it turned out there was a pretty good market for my work in Toronto," he said. "But after so many years I got bored there and I've always been drawn to the outdoor lifestyle and 小蓝视频 was where I wanted to go."
Macleod said he travelled all over the province but he knew he had found his home when he reached Britannia Beach.
"I was laughing and crying at the same time when I finally moved here," he said. "I was finally in a place where I felt at home. I get tourists who come in to my shop and they look at me and say, 'You look like you're living your dream.' All I can say is, 'I guess it shows.'"
Macleod draws inspiration from the area, noting that he can look out his front door and watch bald eagles. But Macleod will move back to Ontario at the end of the month and plans to sell off parts of his collection. Those interested can buy or house them temporarily. Macleod said the best way is to stop by his shop at 16 Frontage Rd. in Britannia Beach or email him at [email protected].
Despite his departure to Ontario, Macleod said he expects to wind up back in the Sea to Sky Corridor sooner or later.
"While I'm looking forward to showing Ontarians what I can do with materials exclusive to 小蓝视频, this is my chosen home," he said. "I'll be returning as soon as I can to set up shop in one of this province's magical mountain towns like Squamish, Whistler or Britannia Beach.
"I can't imagine setting up anywhere else; this is the best place for me. Everyone in this community has been so friendly and supportive since I moved here that it makes me want to come back. I know it's a good community."
