He's a real cut-up, and he's coming to town

Internationally recognized chainsaw sculptor Jamie Doeren has been selected to carve downtown Sun Prairie's next public art display, a replica of Jimmy the Groundhog.

Doeren, an award winning carver from Abram, Wis., will set up shop in Cannery Square Nov. 1 and 2. The public is invited to watch, listen and learn as the buzz of a chainsaw held by a master carver transforms an unassuming log into an eight-foot groundhog. (A sample of his work is pictured.)

"I was a chainsaw mechanic and got tired of cutting ends of logs. I started carving and setting my pieces up around the shop and it continued to grow," said Doeren of the start to his unusual career.

The event is being sponsored by the downtown Business Improvement District, which will pay $2,100 for the work.

While well know in his field around Wisconsin, Doeren may be best know for his craft in Germany, where he once worked under a master carver. The community of Marks, Germany, built its entire town square around a soaring eagle crafted by Doeren.

On a good day, this husband and father of four spends about 12 hours carving. However, an expanding business that also involves an on-line store and public forum, also means more paperwork.

"So right now I do about six to eight hours a day," he said.

So how will Doeren prepare for carving Sun Prairie's beloved groundhog mascot?

"I've been sent some pictures of what is wanted. I've been doing this so long that I just set up my trailer with my tools and get the scaffolding set up. From there, I rough it out and then go back in to clean it. The last step is to put a finish on it," Doeren explained.

And while he's never carved a groundhog, Doeren said he has done several prairie dogs and beavers.

In addition to carving, Doeren is an accomplished author of two how-to chainsaw sculpting books. He is also one of three founders of the United Chainsaw Carvers Guild.

For more information on Doeren, check out his Web site.