T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM - Chris Clough of rural Marshalltown carves the likeness of hair into a deer sculpture he hopes to finish this summer.

Chris Clough of rural Marshalltown has turned his front yard artwork into a reminder for people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The chainsaw-carved bear sitting by his driveway bears an Iowa Hawkeye face mask and a sign stating “Safety 1st.”

“It is a sign of the times,” Clough, a former art teacher, said. “Safety is first right now. He is usually a mascot for my taxidermy business.”

The inspiration of putting a mask on the bear came to Clough when he was out and about in Marshalltown.

“I notice a lot of people do not have masks on,” he said. “I take it very serious.”

T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM - A bear with an Iowa Hawkeye face mask reminds drivers to practice pandemic guidelines.

Clough hopes to remind people not to throw caution to the wind and return to life without any cares.

The artist carved the likeness of the bear in 2011 — it was his first time creating art with a chainsaw.

“I was real careful and it turned out really good,” he said.

In the middle of Clough’s front yard is another piece of art he has been working on for three years — a deer sculpture surrounded by landscaping.

“It is apoxie,” Clough said. “I call it a grand slam.”

T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM

He uses that term because not only is the art a sculpture, but Clough also bases it off of a painting he created.

“Art is a big part of my life and I appreciate the beauty of nature and my surroundings,” he said. “I try to see the beauty in everything.”

Clough has a goal to finish the deer grand slam by the end of this summer and also start on another chainsaw carving piece which will be of an owl.

“I am trying to figure it out,” he said. “I need to measure it and I see it in my mind’s eye how it will turn out.”

The owl will be carved into an ash tree which was struck with emerald ash borer. Clough said the tree is in a prominent spot in his front yard, but first he needs to cut it down before he gives his bear carving a neighbor.

Art is not something that is guaranteed. Clough went to school for art and has learned that there are successes and failures. He also knows that art is a hobby that requires money, hard-work and patience. Clough said those are the main tips he has to give to aspiring artists who want to pick up or further their creative inclinations during the pandemic.

“People still need those inclinations,” he said. “It takes a lot of patience, but they can learn the skill of art through experience. The more you do it, the better you get at it. All it takes is work and perseverance. You need the will power for this kind of thing.”

Clough hopes the owl carving will be just as good as his bear, which he said is well known in his neighborhood.

“People all around here know who that bear is,” he said. “He is a well-known figure around here.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at lbradstream@timesrepublican.com