The Good Life – September-October 2018

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WRITTEN BY: BRITTNEY GOODMAN • PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA “I made my first wood sculpture when I was 15. I thought I could make a German Shepherd out of this log. I did it, although it probably looked more like a gargoyle, and I thought I had invented chainsaw sculpture!” 24 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
The Good Life caught up with the lively, creative Dave Belling, “Chainsaw Dave,” to hear about his chainsaw wood and ice sculptures, his military service and philosophy of life. This Fargo and Erie, ND native, has created many ice and wood sculptures around the region. And, yes, he literally creates them using his chainsaw. A man with many stories, Belling’s trajectory moves from a North Dakota childhood to Marine Corps service in Afghanistan, to directing public works departments, and now, creating sculpture on his own terms. Belling said, “I made my first wood sculpture when I was 15. I thought I could make a German shepherd out of this log. I did it, although it probably looked more like a gargoyle, and I thought I had invented chainsaw sculpture!” Belling’s mother and father split when he was four years old: “I grew up between YMCA and The Ridge.” He dropped out of high school when he was 16 and worked for his family’s tree service business. Belling went into Marine Corps boot camp at San Diego, CA on August 27, 2007. Belling’s military service was in Afghanistan as a Corporal: “For the first six months, I was in a fire cell – fire support coordination center – where we would target individuals. The second six months we took the heartland from the Taliban.” He received a Navy/Marine Corps medal for building a compound by himself. He also appeared in the Marine Corps magazine. Belling then was a combat marksmanship coach at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island SC, teaching young recruits how to shoot effectively: “It was one of the best things that I have ever done. I guarantee that I decreased combat fatalities from training those kids. I would also tell them that with power comes great responsibility.” After returning from Afghanistan, he and his wife divorced: “I tore down my house and converted my garage into something like a camp.” Like many war veterans, he went into the woods for a “sense of security.” He continued, “I worked hard, and simply, then and sent all of my money to my ex-wife and daughter.” urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 25
Page 1 and 2: SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2018 HAVING A BEE
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Page 11 and 12: MARK BJORNSTAD Hometown: Fargo Day
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Page 27 and 28: Belling is open for commissions of
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Page 33 and 34: LINDA WIEDEWITSCH “I just love do
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The Good Life – September-October 2018

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