A unique artistic project is drawing attention from passersby in Searsport, Maine, where a talented chainsaw sculptor is transforming a damaged tree into an impressive statue of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, right on the front lawn of the Yardarm Motel. The ambitious sculpture stands 20 feet high and 4 feet wide, serving as an eye-catching centerpiece that has locals and visitors honking their horns and shouting approval as they drive by.

The creative concept began taking shape approximately 16 months ago when Wesley and Jenna Murphy, the new owners of the Yardarm Motel, purchased the property and discovered significant damage to a large poplar tree on the grounds. After several major limbs had fallen and a tree expert recommended cutting down the entire tree, the Murphys decided to take a more imaginative approach rather than simply removing it.

"I just like Poseidon being in charge of all things nautical, in general – the sea, the weather, shipping, god of the ocean – so he's kind of the overall controller, seer," explained Wesley Murphy, describing why they chose this particular mythological figure for their unique lawn sculpture.

The artist behind this remarkable transformation is Josh Landry, who has been dedicating the past week to carefully chipping away at his towering wooden canvas. Landry brings 23 years of experience in chainsaw sculpting to the project, having previously created similar wooden sculptures that often feature animals and have included notable works such as a large display piece outside Stephen King's home in Bangor. His expertise makes him part of a small but growing community of Maine artists who have embraced forestry tools for artistic purposes.

The Murphys were so impressed with Landry's previous work that they decided to give him complete creative freedom over the Poseidon sculpture design. Taking advantage of this artistic liberty, Landry has incorporated several intricate maritime-themed details into the piece, including a compass rose, a graceful heron, and octopus tentacles that appear to be unfurling dramatically at the base of the sculpture.

Landry's vision for the sculpture extends even further, as he plans to add a school of fish, an anchor, and possibly a starfish to enhance the nautical theme. He also intends to carve the hotel's name into the base of the sculpture. "This is one of the carvings that I really enjoy doing, because it's so different from what I do a lot," Landry said enthusiastically. "I like being challenged, and this piece, I can say, is a challenge. It really lets my creativeness go wild when someone lets me do a piece like this. I think next week is going to be even more fun, adding all the details."

According to the Murphys, Landry's work has exceeded their already high expectations for the project. Wesley Murphy expressed optimism about the sculpture's potential impact, stating, "I think it's going to be great for tourism, and I hope that everyone else is going to enjoy it as much as we do."

The Yardarm Motel itself has deep connections to the area's rich maritime heritage, making the Poseidon sculpture a perfect fit for the property. The motel's name references the horizontal pole on the upper part of a ship's mast, and the maritime theme continues throughout the establishment with several guest rooms painted in ocean blue. The property also features another historical statue depicting sea captain Marlboro Packard, who lived on the site with his wife when it served as a private residence during the 1800s, nearly a century before the motel was constructed in the early 1950s.

Landry estimates that he will need approximately one more week to complete the intricate carving work before applying protective finishings to help the sculpture withstand Maine's harsh weather elements. Wesley Murphy expressed his hope that the finished piece will attract art enthusiasts from near and far, saying, "I hope that people who enjoy Josh's work can seek it out and travel to see it, and we certainly welcome that. I do hope people come from afar to see this art, because that's what this really is. It's an incredible art form, and we happen to have a really amazing artist."