Armstrong's Kamron Garbe makes a carving at the Powell River Logger Sports in summer, 2024.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kamron Garbe
August 27, 2024 - 6:00 AM
Woodcarver Kamron Garbe just finished his second commissioned piece for the City of Kelowna, transforming a storm damaged tree into a work of art at a local park this summer.
“A tree snapped off in a storm and a stump was left, so the seniors community centre there pushed to get it carved,” Garbe said.
The new sculpture features a blue heron and swimming salmon, and can be found at Sarsons Beach Park on Hobson Road.
“Blue herons are a familiar bird in the area. They’re graceful and regal and as far as carving goes are under represented and more original than carving a bear or an eagle," he said.
“In the Interior, the kokanee run is an integral part of the scenery and the natural surroundings we’re apart of. They’re a reminder that we’re caretakers of this land.”
Members of the Sarsons Activity Centre pose in front of a carving by Armstrong's Kamron Garbe at Sarons Beach Park in Kelowna, Aug. 15.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Facebook/ City of Kelowna
Originally from Saskatchewan, Garbe moved to Armstrong last winter after visiting the Okanagan for several years. He grew up with a love of art, and completed commissioned murals.
It wasn’t until a friend gave him chisels and encouraged him to try his hand at woodcarving that Garbe discovered his true artistic passion.
“I was doing finishing carpentry and tinkering in the shop every night, still wanting to create,” he said. “A friend gave me chisels and I was instantly hooked on carving, switching from a two dimensional to a three dimensional art form.
“Coming from woodworking where everything has to be straight, carving was total freedom and lit a fire in my head like nothing else had.”
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Garbe said honing the craft took a lot of work and credits his stubbornness for his success.
Using chainsaws and chisels, he creates personalized pieces at his home shop where he focusses on the customer’s vision, but for public works he designs them to be relatable to everyone.
His works of art often feature faces and elements of nature.
“The more our humanity progresses the more distanced we become from nature,” he said. “Nature is something everyone resonates with, with many trying to get back to it, wanting to relate to the all the beauty around us."
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He rarely finds a piece of wood that has a shape or movement to it that clearly shows a picture, typically working a piece with a pre-made idea that he brings to life.
Garbe does not identify as Indigenous and doesn’t do West Coast native art, rather, he puts his own spin and artistic flair into his work, drawing on the inspiration from whatever is around him.
Last year, Garbe carved an owl sculpture out of a damaged tree at Lombardy Park on Wilson Avenue for the City of Kelowna.
Go here to see more of Garbe's work.
This carved artwork by Kamron Garbe is located in Lombardy Park in Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Facebook/ Cheri Posten
Armstrong woodworker Kamron Garbe carved this commissioned work of art.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kamron Garbe
This art sculpture is located in East Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kamron Garbe
Armstrong artist and carver Kamron Garbe stands beside his sculpture in Mabel Lake.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kamron Garbe
This art display by woodcarver Kamron Garbe is located at Sarsons Beach Park in Kelowna.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ City of Kelowna
Armstrong woodcarver Kamron Garbe stands beside one of his sculptures in Grinrod.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Kamron Garbe
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