Amid a cloud of wood chips, Liz McMann is creating another of her art works.

For the past eight years while raising her three boys in 108 Mile, McMann donated her artistic talents in various mediums throughout the community.

McMann said, however, that it wasn’t until she recently traded her painting canvas for logs and her brushes for a Stihl 170 chainsaw that her community began to recognize her as an artist.

“I did a lot of stuff for the 108 school. I did a full wall mural for the church in 108, “ she said. “What is funny is I do a lot of cool drawings. I’ve been doing drawings and other stuff for a long time. Once I picked up the chainsaw, everyone started calling me an artist.”

McMann is the artisan behind Wildflower Creations, a homemade-craft business she began in May 2005.

Among her outdoor workspace/gallery are intricately wound wreaths of branches and dried flowers.

What McMann is quickly becoming known for in the area is her handiwork with the chainsaw.

The reason she picked up a chainsaw in the first place was to capitalize on 100 Mile’s rich heritage in forestry, and to offer something uniquely Cariboo.

At the same time, McMann herself has proven to be somewhat unique among her peers. “A bunch of logging guys came over to the property…and they were like, ‘oh, what’s that guy doing over there with the chainsaw?’” McMann said. “The owner said ‘that guy’s a girl, and she just started running it about three weeks ago.’ So everybody started calling me little lumberjack.”

Already McMann’s chainsaw wares are being sold in the area.

As well, McMann said she has been receiving requests to do log cutting demos at upcoming events in the area, including the Kariboo Farms’ Sixth Garlic Festival in August.

While she appreciates the opportunities, she acknowledged they are likely due as much for who she is and what she’s doing as they are for the final product.

“I think it’s a bit of both, because the crafts, they’re really good, solid pieces and it takes a lot of work, “ said McMann.” At the same time, for the display everybody loves it because they get a kick out of some girl in chaps running the saw.”

Photo by Lachlan Labere