SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Phelps Grove Park is adding a new sculpture to its grounds, hand-carved from an old cherry tree that died last year.<\/p>\n
The wooden sculpture will honor the many native animals and plants that fill Phelps Grove Park, from red-tailed hawks to foxes to sunflowers. It\u2019ll look like the whole scene is coming to life on the trunk of the old tree.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now I\u2019m working on the two red-tailed hawks, which will be the feature at the top. Coming down, from there on the back side will be a couple of owls. What you\u2019ll see on this side below the hawks will be a dragonfly and a bunch of squirrels, and as we make our way down, the bottom features: it\u2019s going to be two sunflowers. There will be a fox and a bunch of leaf work,<\/p>\n
starting at the top of the owls and working its way down into the sunflowers,\u201d said Louis Medlock, the sculptor. <\/p>\n
Medlock is the one behind the chainsaw. He\u2019s lived around the park for nearly his whole life. Most of his earlier art has been ice sculptures and too far away for family and friends to see. Now he\u2019s sculpting in his own backyard.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to add something to the park that\u2019s going to be here, I mean, gosh, you know, with proper maintenance, this thing might outlive you and me,\u201d said Medlock. \u201c So, it really warms my heart to know that I\u2019m getting to make my art here in Springfield.\u201d<\/p>\n
Medlock started carving Monday and should be done within a month, depending on the weather. To beat the heat, he starts early in the morning, takes a break in the afternoon, and comes back in the evening.<\/p>\n
Once done, the sculpture will welcome visitors to the park\u2019s newly renovated flower garden.<\/p>\n
Medlock also works with ice and pumpkins. You can find his ice work<\/a> and his woodwork<\/a> online.<\/p>\n