Most storm-damaged trees are cut down and turned into firewood, but one local artist is tackling such a tree in an effort to turn it into a masterpiece.

Nathan Smith, Pinehurst resident and local artist, has been contracted by a Tomball resident to turn an unsightly tree in his front yard into a piece of art to reflect local pride.

Smith, who used to work for Lowes showcasing his work at their grand openings, said he is excited about his latest project.

Smith said he plans to carve two cougars coming down off a mountain from the tree trunk in the front yard of a home located on Baker Street and owned by Rex and Nancy Maciejeski.

The tree was destroyed by heavy winds from Hurricane Ike and collapsed onto to Maciejeski’s house. The house did not receive major damage and the fallen tree was cut away, leaving only an eight-foot high tree trunk.

The cougar was chosen because it is the Tomball High School mascot.

"They will be life size cougars," Smith said. "I might add a few more animals into the carving. I'll just have to see what I can add. I won't know until I'm finished."

As he scaled the scaffolding surrounding the tree, Smith remarked on how he sees the art in his head.

"I just see the work," he said. "I don't draw up plans or anything, it just comes out naturally. I just have to work with the wood to see what God has planned for it."

Smith said that his driving force for sculpting is just that "it's fun." He said, as he worked on the tree, "I'm a full-time sculptor and have been for the past 29 years. As you can see, I love my job."

During his almost 30 years as an artist, Smith has carved many pieces. So many, in fact, that he can't recall them all.

"I can't even count the number of pieces I've carved. I don't even know," he said. "All I know is that I've done a lot."

Works carved by Smith can be found all across the world.

From mermaids carved on piers in Florida, to an 8-foot tall grizzly bear in Mattress Mack's Gallery Furniture showroom, to numerous wooden mantles and uncounted benches, Smith has pretty much carved everything there is to carve.

He said one of his pieces is even on display in a museum in Mexico.

“A group of archeologists out of Arlington asked me to make a cannon gun carriage for them,” he said. “I studied the old cannon gun carriages and pretty soon had an authentic finished piece for them. It's on display in a museum somewhere in Mexico.”

Smith said that after he has completed sculpting the cougars, he will seal the piece with urethane after replacing the natural tree oils. He said the sculpture should last for several years where it is and could last much longer if it is moved from the elements.

Smith said that a sculpture this big will take him about three weeks to finish.

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